Document: 334 U.S. 62 68 S.Ct. 972 92 L.Ed. 1212 REPUBLIC NATURAL GAS CO.v.STATE OF OKLAHOMA et al. No. 134. Argued Jan. 6, 1948. Decided May 3, Appeal from the Supreme Court of State Oklahoma. Messrs. Robert M. Rainey, Oklahoma City, Okl., and John F. Eberhardt, Wichita, Kan., for appellant. Mr. Earl Pruet, appellees. Justice FRANKFURTER delivered opinion Court. 1 This is an appeal a decision Oklahoma, arising order Corporation Commission which concerned correlative rights owners natural gas drawn common source. 2 Since 1913, has regulated extraction gas, partly to prevent waste avoid excessive drainage as between producers sharing same pool. The legislation provided that might take source amounts proportionate flow their respective wells, but not more than 25% without consent Commission; any person taking away field, except certain specified purposes, 'shall ratably each owner in proportion his interest said gas'; such ratable was be upon terms agreed by various well owners, or, event failure agree, fixed Commission.1 3 Hugoton Gas Field one largest United States, covering vast area several including It discovered 1924 or 1925, portion developed until 1937. Republic, Delaware corporation, obtained permission do business 1938, purchased leases this field drilled removing its own pipelines. In 1944, Peerless Oil Company completed otherwise tapped only Republic. had no market well, nor means transporting market. offered sell refused it. then applied requiring Republic it 'ratably'—that is, Peerless' took wells. After hearing, found production excess demand; qualified with full knowledge existing gas; share both wells belonging Peerless, thereby draining tract and, effect, property Peerless. ordered Republic: 4 '1. * applicant's (Peerless') *, make necessary connection soon applicant lays line connecting respondent's (Republic's) line, continue so further that, shall lay lines respondent at some point designated respondent, Section 14 been drilled; required designation immediately unreasonable delay, do, longer permitted produce located Field. 5 '2. conditions Natural Company's determined respondent; parties are unable hereby granted right application fixing conditions; retains jurisdiction hereof purpose.' 6 On appeal, affirmed, holding having given leave enter on basis governing production, challenge validity, neither based runs counter asserted constitutional rights. 198 Okl. 350, 180 P.2d 1009. court interpreted Commission's giving 'a choice paying therefor direct, marketing accounting therefor, shut supply.' page 356, 1016. Invoking Due r ocess Equal Protection clauses Fourteenth Amendment, appealed 7 case raises thorny questions concerning regulation fugacious minerals, moment States whose economy especially involved private enterprises develop these resources. Cf. Thompson v. Consolidated Utilities Corp., 300 55, 57 364, 81 510; Railroad Texas Rowan & Nichols Co., 310 573, 60 1021, 84 1368, Id., 311 570, 61 343, 85 358. Before reaching issues, we must determine whether have so. 8 Ever since 1789, Congress power review litigation after 'the highest suit could had' rendered 'final judgment decree.' § 237 Judicial Code, 28 U.S.C. 344, U.S.C.A. rephrasing 25 Act September 24, Stat. 73, 85. Designed evils piecemeal review, reflects marked characteristic federal judicial system, unlike States. prerequisite exercise appellate powers pertinent when barrier against court's matters peculiarly local concern. Close observance limitation regard strangling technicality. History bears ample testimony important factor securing harmonious State-federal relations. 9 No self-enforcing formula defining 'final' can devised. Tests indicated helpful direction emphasis case. Thus, requirement finality met merely because major issues decided few loose ends remain tied up—for example, where liability all needs adjudicated amount damages. Bruce Tobin, 245 18, 38 7, 123; Martinez International Banking 220 214, 223, 31 408, 411, 55 438; Mississippi Central R. Co. Smith, 295 718, 830, 79 1673. other hand, if nothing ministerial act remains done, entry mandate, decree regarded concluding reviewable. Board Commissioners Lucas, 93 108, 23 822; Mower Fletcher, 114 127, 799, 29 117. 10 There instances entertained deemed interlocutory, controversy proceeded losing party would irreparably injured were unavailing. Clark Williard, 294 211, 865, 98 A.L.R. 347; Gumbel Pitkin, 113 545, 616, 1128 compare Forgay Conrad, How. 201, 204, 12 404, Barnard Gibson, 650, 657, 857. For related reasons, decreeing immediate transfer possession physical final purposes even though profits follow. cases severed part main supra; Carondelet Canal Navigation Louisiana, 233 362, 34 627, 58 1001; Radio Station WOW Johnson, 326 120, 65 1475, 89 2092. But eminent domain public use, compensation determined, final, certainly will change hands award compensation. Grays Harbor Logging Coats-Fordney 243 251, 37 295, 702; cf. Luxton North River Bridge 147 337, 13 194; Catlin 324 229, 631, 911.2 One thing clear. considerations abstractions reference very real interests—not those but, particularly, pertain smooth functioning our system. 11 side however faint faltering times, dividing judgments so, does before us fall? Commission, affirmed below, terminates proceeding. may three ways. If, most probable, choose close down under allow connect Republic's pipeline. there left open later determination, reach agreement, rates pay purchase, charge sells agent Does either alternative character, fact leaves still qualify short present review? We turn first latter point. Certainly what done cannot characterized 'ministerial.' Whether taken ascertained through formula, determination price paid purchased, fees sold behalf clearly requires judgment.3 Nor threat irreparable damage rendering postponed illusory now never. designate pipeline attach immediately. appear commence Commission. bear expense pipeline, substantial. Indeed, incurring loss, process preliminary nere exhausted, itself sufficient authorize intervention. Myers Bethlehem Shipbuilding 303 41, 50—52, 459, 463, 464, 82 638. construed require dispose immediately—and advised Court—there ground assuming loss incur recovered should affirmance State's ultimately unconstitutional. Merely temporarily out pocket, warrant incomplete judgment. Appellant, course, burden affirmatively establishing Court's jurisdiction. Memphis Beeler, 315 649, 651, 857, 859, 86 1090. policy premature adjudications demands doubts maintaining resolved See citation concurring Brandeis Ashwander Tennessee Valley Authority, 297 288, 341, 345, 348, 56 466, 480, 482, 483, 80 688. condemnation precedents attract persuasively cases. Where claimed transferring overrides right, supra, disposition subsequent proceeding possibly up defeated party's who lost also opponent decrees. Hence desire issue almost persist. case, like this, fate whole affected unresolved contingencies litigation. An adequate profitable rate satisfy acquiesce earlier issue. course province discourage appeals. soundest reasons ought pass they reached definitive stop. Another similarity calls abstention organically concluded State. generate additional questions. brings into vivid relevance fragmentary review. cases, litigated scarcely give rise new therefore little bearing. contests over valuation price-fixing type inherently provocative claims. potentiality led find want decrees made. Like relevant here. short, guiding determining below possesses requisite lead conclusion await culmination assume 'Only branch finally disposed below; none ripe court.' Collins Miller, 252 371, 40 347, 64 616. makes unnecessary consider mere gave commands precluded being final. Paducah East Tel.Co., 229 476, 33 816, 1286; Jones' Adm'r Craig, 127 213, 1175, 32 147; Note, 48 Harv.L.Rev. 302, 305—306. lacks finality, merits. All objections saved. 15 dismissed. 16 DOUGLAS, concurring. 17 establishes drain I think conceded appellant ways comply constitutionality them. Then wait see alternatives selected imposed reviewing reason defer merits this. isolated woud uncertain actually apply And principle seems me majority sustain whatever chosen sanction. 18 chance saving remedy rather another chosen, while survive whichever chosen. needless dissertations points. That nontheless true seem simple, uncomplicated great dignity. single question precise pinch known. known least elects (1) down, (2) become carrier (3) purchase 19 legal, economic, relationship vary To 'carrier' submit different risks 'purchaser.' raise 'due process' Amendment mean identical. Even reasonableness test, judges contrariety opinions. today variables presented abstract. Tomorrow facts known, impact determined. Thus adjudication precludes saying 'final.' 20 RUTLEDGE, whom BLACK, MURPHY, BURTON join, dissenting. 21 state commission's valid, deferring indefinite future time prolong already lengthy unnecessarily possible harm other. 22 Company, operated many years. producer exploit field,1 constructed gathering system pipe extending Kansas. With minor exceptions never carried lines.2 352, 1944 appellee, field. connected line. presently lies dormant. Surrounding reservoir concededly constantly land.3 Except across land, outlet justify enough financially practical construct undisputed feasible method producing system.4 24 Corporate compelling commission. commission applicable statutes5 enforce recognized methods protecting due drainage, ordering completely, second considered harsh, preferred. Accordingly issued made, allowing it, however, closing preferred gas. parties; 'granted *.'6 taking, agreement order; begin once.7 26 Affirming order, Oklh oma statutes administrative action. thus presents state, adjusting reservoir, circumstances compel another, off other's place appropriate himself. I. 27 proceedings tribunals terminated lies, refuse adjudicate question. strictest sense terms. possibility phases of. possibility, remote one, furnishes grounds within meaning 237. necessarily defeat true, although recently Gospel Army Los Angeles, 331 543, 67 1428, 91 1662, reiterated reviewable 237, 'it end fully parties, trial 'except entering directed." 546, 1430. general rule, grounded variety reflected statutory command8 coming sum exercising conferred inconclusive, piecemeal, repetitious determinations. represents typical instance applying 237.9 every last resort leaving orders inconclusive appears 2092, settled authorities effect. Richfield Corp. Equalization, 329 69, 156, 80. 30 formulation test made decisions followed. Instead question, special circumstances, treated posing essentially problem, label attached law, mechanical inquiry beyond judgment' rendered. 125, 1478. noted broader, less e chanical approach directing delivery property, followed decreed order. stated, situations: 'In multiple independent of, unaffected by, happens entangled.' 126, 1479. Accordingly, two separate distinct, exercised phase decision. extensive separable determination.10 Those much 'ministerial acts'; indeed complicated discretion. Notwithstanding despite strict sustained bcause number factors felt action effect providing denying tentative about Nebraska property. execution contemporaneous phase. latter, Indeed affecting completed, parties. obviously tended wholly futile. Moreover, settled, necessary, need consequentially incident dependent core litigation, delivery. rightly consistent intent purpose notwithstanding phase, deny save parties' section's furnish full, prompt outweighed design secure absolute literal 'finality.' 35 respects parallel too close, my opinion, distinguishing directed negotiate completing negotiation facilities available carrying once. order.11 obligation, effective qualification.12 Knox Nat. Farm Loan Ass'n Phillips, 194, 198, 418, 420, 599, 108 738. 36 Moreover sustaining matter terms; aspect consequential incidental. consequent harm. Here acceptance delivery, similar injury other.13 Neither greater likelihood consideration 1480. here hardly difficult practically complex legally making case.14 hard how likely throw rule unlikely necessity doing been. substantially complete situation respect stronger finding appealable finality. resolution basic problem probability entire controversy. result go elect production. favor, agree since, prescribe them.15 basically all. They contingent, collateral matter. What fundamentally stake beneath land Once highly improbable. 39 arise closer factual jurisdictional exact reviewed Pierce Phoenix Refining 259 42 440, 66 855, carry oil appellee unspecified rates. Gulf 269 46 52, 70 195; 292 112, 54 615, 78 1160. decisions, put aside analogy particularly 702. inapposite. generally, uniformly,16 held properly rendered, constitution controlling prohibited condemned paid. compensation.17 distinct 256, 297.18 appellant's rights, 41 911, conclusively damages fixed. produced delays inconsistent overriding War Purposes Declaration Taking Acts. 316, amended 241, 518, 50 171; 1421, §§ 258a—258e. pages 235, 238, 240, 634, 636, 637. converse serve compensating advantage enactment. legislation, comparable Acts, dictating denial Harbor, (see note 17) hold entirely situations presented. them litigation; forbade ultimate inferior courts. therefore, generally uniform prior damages, resting 'finality' provisions frequently rest provisions. 43 'penumbral area' 124, 1478, sweeping scope. nevet heless essential letter section reason. comprehend presenting involving crux unqualified hub dispute. If avoided, limited exclusively follow time. exception, itself, limited. Because ones problems, play decide vices excluded policies underlying present, according character effects particular sought reviewed. 44 Finally, per se deprives regardless substantial allowed shutting purchasing thought state's require. 45 argument force difference contrary results alternatives. emphasized, e.g., passage title carriage, difficulty Part II; IV. So distinction suggested courses difficulty. Given alternatives, transcends permit select onerous him burdensome. eually destroys order's unless again conception term used control. hypothetical, decision, problem. offer Either protect latter's standing alone affect Neither, premise doubtful constitutionality. realistically considered, nearly sanction mode compliance.19 47 say coupling alternatively harmony policy, just refusing Such view handicap forcing specify compliance desirable, delaying perhaps tried election A settle pending At remotely tribunals. ended. closely considerations, fetish technical advantages light policies, designed attain. becomes instrument sheer delay performance function, executing agencies, settling office. By declaring permissible deals them, speak hypothetically prematurely violate II. 49 Beyond jurisdiction, arose Rescue Municipal Court, 549, 1409, 1666. speculative, abstractly en masse. 'alternative character' sufficiently concrete here, ambiguities suggested. tell compels obtain itself. 510. subject ambiguity. it20. 51 transport account profits. legal passes noted, immaterial law. Pipe Line Cases, (United Ohio Ol Co.) 234 548, 956, 1459. expand suddenly far expectations, 52 sure intends carrier. doubt findings purchaser. supreme upheld assumption incorrect. justification primarily caused III. 53 previously unrelated accordingly, attention directed. fight, cast equal protection pool option altogether pool, former. denies Its position supply varying competitive feasibility furnishing facilities. right. Constitution did impress states rigid mold common-law feudal tenures modified variant forms tenure prevailing 1789. Rather free devise establish systems law adapted peculiar desires inhabitants. original placed explicit respect.21 Not ratified, eight decades later, introduced. nullify create institutions accord policies. intended substantive individual procedural ones,22 strait jacket immobilizing alter interest.23 Almost innumerable demonstrated limitations changes really process. relates curtail capture conceives acquired virtue unalterable acquisition surface drill For, restrict drained lease lands similarly situated. regulate others holdings. concedes bound Oklahoma's pro rata length period total quantity eventually taken, defy helpless condition. contention bold reaching, nature industry. volatile fugitive, once opened. When extracted stored quantity, marketed burner tips conveyance mouth. struggle industry's rewards intense initial stage developing large outlays capital successful continuing marketing. tend toward monopoly success achieved 59 These qualities, moreover, relating ownership place, extraction. regarding Only specialist varies undertake reliable degree precision situations. difficulties, intensified product inadequacy ideas control forced government adopt regulatory measures recent conserve rapidly depleting resource24 fair adjustment sacred, untouchable enclave lends governmental intervention purposes. comprehending conventional manufacturers merchants consumable goods. accordance assert place.I t asserts produce. unqualified, include others' lands. defies unfeasible join unrestrained draining. concerned, unrestricted fee simple adjacent owner's land. late, ever otherwise, urge impotent unfettered race equality reasonably end. history replete altered restricted schemes response states' needs. gone extent abolishing conceptions substituting indigenous areas problems present. Perhaps obvious illustrations arid mountainous western waters flowing streams mining precious metals.25 Others lacking.26 maintained creation respecting ownership, broadly irrigation uses metals regions called authority manner best suited similarities powers, specified. 63 Historically, freedom broad regulating long quite completely freedoms relation water beginning half century ago Indiana, 177 190, 576, 729, types 'coequal rights' supply.27 recognize justified grounds, adjust rights.28 points out, specific independently conservation program. incidental fundamental preserve fact, other, support prevention justifiable serves collective *.' 210, 584.29 significant Bandini Petroleum Superior specifically California valid face, viewed measure purely 284 8, 22, 103, 108.30 stem her preservation stems aim seeks citizens accommodation clash.31 property.32 industry, incongruous Especially origin development laissez faire atmosphere fostering expansions, Merrill, Evolution Law, Miss.L.J. 281, evolve rules keep pace changing industrial possess law.33 elsewhere, considering proper scope experimentation, indulge reasonable presumption favor improve techniques scientific advances, experimentation lifeblood progress. dissenting New Ice Liebmann, 285 262, 280, 375, 76 747. remaining narrow achieving invalid want—at Appellant relies heavily 510, invalidated limiting severely unconnected vicinity commitments. crucial deciding explicitly assumed 'to undue reserves lacking connections.'34 geological anomaly 71—73, 372, dormant reduce possible. Therefore justified, preventing aggravate h suffered, increased consequence profited loss. company unconstitutional inasmuch 69 compelled unreasonable. sole cause complaint, drastic step able came compensate Patterson Stanolind 305 376, 259, 83 231. Here, instead cash payment estimated unquestionably accurate somewhat heavier propriety wide discretion agencies solutions accompany 1368. Keeping mind concern, experts unusual record presents, includes transportation profits, shifts risk sale Possibly serious objection materially circumstances. But, apart said, conceive possible, operation, depriving drained. 71 assumes fix paid, use applied, shifted commodity storage, transported consumption, fluctuation selling times 72 me, arise. 73 affirm L.1913, c. 1—3, Okl.Stat.1941, tit. 231—33: 'Section 1. declared lessees, state. 2. Any lessee, surface, sink underneath therefrom exhausted. same, standard measurement calendar month; provided, twenty-five percent good shown, notice hearing may, amount. drilling lessee reducing shown well. 3. person, firm operating domestic such, hearing; deliver overlying *' L.1915, 197, 4, 5, 239, 240: 4. whenever demands, supply, waste, owned controlled corporation acreage unfair therefrom; deem equitable. authorized regulations sources interests public, therefrom, discrimination another. 5. hereafter engaged purchaser thereof, sale, trunk lines, offered, ratably. unlawful discriminate grades pressures directly indirectly interested, part, prorating rketed, metering equitable relieve purchaser, duty quality grade.' appealable. wartime urged claimants rule. rejected contention. hadb een fixed, modify later. Market Street 770, 1171; St. Louis, Iron Mountain Southern Express set, establishment open. Kansas 353, 'common purchaser' explained Okl.Stat., 240. 'operation well.' state: '(d) taker atably '(e) drilled, thereunder prevented (Peerless).' Report states: 'It evident fifteen thirty miles, Company. impractical financial standpoint city well; impossible economically operate Company.' 232, 233, 243. (Peerless) (Emphasis added.) (Republic) 6. language room inference, injected Some enumerated 123, 1477, Under procedure reversal 'effective remand 'for (place) tried." 1430, cited. inconclusively court. decisive 1001, former 'stood books hundred years authority, weighty matters, Chief Taney.' 1475. notes supra text. thep arties, erected obstacle removed. sending back bringing deprive allows continued date remedy, valid. deferred uncertainty ascertaining injury, as, instance, seeking value estate rate-making idea difficulties valuing railroad blows practicalities situation. 14. Wheeling Belmont 138 287, 301, 967. 194. id. practice certiorari, As interlocutory. See, 234, 911; Wabash Erie Beers, Black 54, 41; Milwaukee Minnesota Soutter, Wall. 860. Control programs. Champlin 286 559, 1062, 403, proration six cent capacity sustained. 562. Walls Midland Carbon 254 300, 118, 276; Lindsley Carbonic 61, 369, Ann.Cas.1912C, 160. stt solid waste. text infra. report '* gas.' directs 7. suggests command condition market, read 'Republic offers nearest approximations prohibitions impairing obligation contracts ex post facto criminal penal consequences. Calder Bull, Dall. 386, 648. Hale, Contract Clause, 512, 621, 852. McCart Indianapolis Water 302 419, 423, 324, 325, 336; Boudin, Truth Fiction N.Y.U.L.Q.Rev. 19. precisely effective, often expansive 'property,' interpretations failed withstand Compare Ribnik McBride, 277 913, A.L.R.1 327, Olsen Nebraska, 313 236, 862, 1305, 133 1500; Adair 208 161, 277, 436, Ann.Cas. 764 Coppage Kansas, 236 1, 441, L.R.A.1915C, 960, Phelps Dodge National Labor Relations Board, 177, 187, 845, 849, 1271, 1217; Lochner York, 45, 539, 937, 1133, Adkins Children's Hospital, 261 525, 394, 785, 1238, West Coast Hotel Parrish, 379, 578, 703, 1330. Federal Power Hope 320 591, 88 333, Jackson, 628, 300. Nash, 361, 676, 1085, Fallbrook Irrigation District Bradley, 164 56, 369; Colorado, 206 46, 93, 94, 655, 665, 666, 956; Rio Grande Dam 174 690, 702, 774, 775, 1136; Strickley Highland Boy Gold Mining 200 527, 581, 1174; Parley's Park Silver Kerr, 130 511, 906; Butte City Baker, 196 119, 409; Kendall San Juan 144 658, 779, 583; Clason Matko, 223 646, 392, 588. Head Amoskeag Mfg. 9, 889; Wurts Hoagland, 606, 1086, 229; Bacon Walker, 204 311, 289, 499; Ferry Spokane, P. S.R. 258 314, 358, 635, 1326; Campbell California, 87, 182, 382. 729; 337 160; 136, 826; 403; Hunter McHugh, 222, 19, Hardwicke, Rule Capture, Tex.L.Rev. 391, 414 422; Marshall Meyers, Legal Planning Production, Yale L.J. 33, 48—52; Ely, Conservation Oil, 1209, 1222—1225; Ford, Controlling Production Mich.L.Rev. 1170, 1181, 1192. Independently statute, relief oil. Louisville Kentucky Heating 117 Ky. 71, 77 S.W. 368, L.R.A. 558; Manufacturers Indiana 155 Ind. 461, 474, 475, N.E. 912, 768; Ross Damm, 278 Mich. 388, 270 N.W. 722; Higgins Fuel Guaranty 145 La. So. 206, 411; Atkinson Virginia W.Va. 707, S.E. 647, L.R.A.,N.S., 167. solely Corzelius Harrell, 143 Tex. 509, 186 S.W.2d 961. 97. agents going arms stealing prv ent larceny trespass enjoin creates nuisance neighboring justifies mutual owners. 499. surrender enable potential resources 1171, plaintiff's productive enlarging ditch defendant's 1174, ore constructing aerial bucket withdrawn exploiting E.g., Plymouth Coal Pennsylvania, 232 531, 359, 713; Jackman Rosenbaum 260 107. submitted legislative processes right-duty relations non-compensated preventable exist, proving usual remedies injunction practicable. advisable legislatures enact expressly existence landowners, agency, facts, promulgate actions courts.' Summers, Rights Drainage Gas, 27, 47. 76, 77, 374. repeated opinion. 58, 67, 72, 365, 370, 372.

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