Court Opinion

ID: 9606946
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 02:54:23.15009+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:02:36.565670
License: Public Domain

BARNES, Justice
(dissenting):
I respectfully dissent to the Majority Opinion. It appears to me that 52 O.S. 1971, § 287.4(b), requires the Corporation Commission to use the parameters [acreage, the quantity of oil and gas recoverable therefrom, the location on the structure, the probable productivity of oil and gas, and the burden of operation to which the tract will or is likely to be subjected] set out in the statute, along with any other pertinent engineering, geological, or operating factors reasonably susceptible of determination in arriving at the formula for the apportionment and allocation of the unit production.
In addition, I am convinced, in order that it does not become a guessing game as to why the said parameters were not used in a particular case, that the statute requires that the Commission set out in its order why certain parameters were not used. For example, that acreage was not susceptible of determination, or that the location on the structure under consideration was not of sufficient importance to be given any weight in the formula. It may well be that, if this case were remanded for treatment of the specific parameters, the Commission’s formula would be the same, but at least the parties would know why certain parameters had been rejected in the formula adopted and would have specific issues upon which to base their appeal.
I therefore respectfully dissent to the Majority Opinion.