Warren Petroleum Corporation v. Monzingo

The sole question here is whether after drilling operations for oil and gas have been terminated and the premises abandoned, the lessee is under an implied duty to restore the surface of the land to the condition it was in prior to the commencement of the work. We answer this question in the negative.

Respondents, Mrs. Monzingo et ah, charged the petitioner, Warren Petroleum Corporation, after abandonment of its operations, with failing to restore the surface, and leaving slush pits unfilled, ruts made by the moving of heavy equipment and a gravel road across the property constructed by lessee…