Hinds v. Phillips Petroleum Co.

OPALA, Justice:

This was a trespass action for damages occasioned by entrant’s allegedly unauthorized construction of a pipeline from a producing well upon, and thence across, landowner’s premises. Appeal was brought by landowner [Hinds] from summary judgment for the entrant, Phillips Petroleum Company [Phillips]. The dispositive issue presented is whether the oil-and-gas lessee of the property in question, Atlantic-Rich-field Company [Richfield], did, by “contract” with Phillips to sell and deliver cas-inghead gas at the well head on the premises in suit, effectively transfer to Phillips…