Rook v. James E. Russell Petroleum, Inc.

Parks, J.:

Plaintiffs Maxine and John Rook filed this action seeking partial cancellation of oil and gas leases held by defendant James E. Russell Petroleum, Inc. The trial court held that the leases were still in effect but that the defendant’s 17-year suspension of production constituted abandonment of the oil and gas production rights. It further held that the reservation of the right to store gas on the property, held by the sublessee, Cities Service Gas Company, remained in effect. Defendant appeals.

James Russell purchased the leases in question in 1963 from W. S. Fees and subsequently…