Newfield Exploration Co. v. State Ex Rel. North Dakota Board of University and School Lands

Jensen, Justice.

*479 [¶1] The State of North Dakota, ex rel. the North Dakota Board of University and School Lands, and the Office of the Commissioner of University and School Lands, a/k/a the North Dakota Department of Trust Lands ("the State") appeals from a district court's judgment interpreting the royalty provisions of natural gas leases with Newfield Exploration Company, Newfield Production Company, and Newfield RMI LLC ("Newfield"). The State argues the district court's interpretation of the leases improperly allows the reduction of the royalty payments to account for expenses incurred to…