Wood v. Krenz

VANDE WALLE, Justice.

This is an appeal from a judgment awarding damages to Ruth Parker Wood for seismographic activities on her land. We reverse and remand for a new trial.

Wood owns land in Williams County. From 1966 to 1983, Wood leased approximately 5,000 surface acres to Darwin Krenz for agricultural purposes. All oil and gas rights and mineral rights were reserved to Wood and others who held interests in those rights.

During 1979, 1980, and 1981, seismographic exploration was conducted on the property by Arma Geophysical Company, Petty-Ray Geophysical, Petroleum Geophysical Corporation,…