Over the years, Cody Balzer has been involved in numerous complex matters addressing everything from carbon monoxide poisoning to complicated environmental and oil and gas and contractual disputes. In addition, there have been hundreds of successful negotiations resulting executed oil and gas leases, surface use agreements, right of way agreements, and more.
Since the late 1990s, we have been involved in over 25 class actions in Wyoming and North Dakota. In chronological order, below is a quick summary of the case and, when available, copies of the Court Orders and Settlement Agreements for those cases that have concluded.
Any questions about the cases below can be directed to Balzer Law Firm, P.C. at (970) 203-1515 or cody@balzerlaw.com. Should you have a matter that might necessitate class action treatment, we would be happy to review your case whether in oil and gas or any other issue.
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Class Actions
Amoco Refinery
Cross Timbers Operating Company
Plaintiffs alleged violations of the Wyoming Royalty Payment Act. Cross Timbers ultimately paid a total of $572,025.00 with the settlement class portion of that amount being allocated to approximately 245 members.
Wexpro Company and Questar Gas Company (Collectively “WEXPRO”)
Plaintiffs alleged violations of the Wyoming Royalty Payment Act. WEXPRO ultimately paid a total of $2,200,000.00 with the settlement class portion of that amount being allocated to approximately 625 members.
Questar Exploration & Production Company (“QUESTAR”)
Plaintiffs alleged violations of the Wyoming Royalty Payment Act. Questar ultimately paid a total of $502,626.17 with the settlement class portion of that amount being allocated to approximately 450 members.
Cig Exploration, Inc. (“CIGE”)
Plaintiffs alleged violations of the Wyoming Royalty Payment Act. CIGE ultimately paid a total of $452,227.65 with the settlement class portion of that amount being allocated to approximately 253 members.
Marathon Oil Company (“MARATHON”)
Plaintiffs alleged violations of the Wyoming Royalty Payment Act. Marathon ultimately paid a total of $2,400,000.00 with the settlement class portion of that amount being allocated to approximately 2727 members.
Mcmurry Oil & Gas Company and Shell Rocky Mountain Production Company (Collectively “Defendants”)
Plaintiffs alleged violations of the Wyoming Royalty Payment Act. Defendants ultimately paid a total of $438,550.84 with the settlement class portion of that amount being allocated to approximately 135 members.
Eog Resources, Inc. (“EOG”)
Plaintiffs alleged violations of the Wyoming Royalty Payment Act. EOG ultimately paid a total of $6,000,000.00 with the settlement class portion of that amount being allocated to approximately 1300 members.
Kerr-Mcgee Rocky Mountain Corporation (“DEFENDANT”)
Plaintiffs alleged violations of the Wyoming Royalty Payment Act. Defendant ultimately paid a total of $226,578.77 with the settlement class portion of that amount being allocated to approximately 92 members.
Tom Brown, Inc. (“TBI”)
Plaintiffs alleged violations of the Wyoming Royalty Payment Act. TBI ultimately paid a total of $4,200,000.00 with the settlement class portion of that amount being allocated to approximately 820 members.
Chevron U.S.A. Production Company (“CHEVRON”)
Plaintiffs alleged violations of the Wyoming Royalty Payment Act. Chevron ultimately paid a total of $1,386,456.78 with the settlement class portion of that amount being allocated to approximately 129 members.
Texaco Exploration & Production, Inc. and Texaco, Inc. (Collectively “Texaco”)
Plaintiffs alleged violations of the Wyoming Royalty Payment Act. Texaco ultimately paid a total of $3,554,513.79 with the settlement class portion of that amount being allocated to approximately 1157 members.
Union Pacific Resources Company and Rme Petroleum Company (Collectively “AEP”)
Plaintiffs alleged violations of the Wyoming Royalty Payment Act. AEP ultimately paid a total of $3,310,000.00 with the settlement class portion of that amount being allocated to approximately 1100 members.
Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation (“CABOT”)
Plaintiffs alleged violations of the Wyoming Royalty Payment Act. Cabot ultimately paid a total of $2,250,000.00 with the settlement class portion of that amount being allocated to approximately 474 members.
Union Oil Company of California (“UNOCAL”)
Plaintiffs alleged violations of the Wyoming Royalty Payment Act. UNOCAL ultimately paid a total of $250,000.00 with the settlement class portion of that amount being allocated to approximately 411 members.
Devon Energy Production Company, LP (“DEVON”)
Plaintiffs alleged violations of the Wyoming Royalty Payment Act. Devon ultimately paid a total of $6,200,000.00 with the settlement class portion of that amount being allocated to approximately 2,487 members.
Ocean Energy Resources, Inc. (“OCEAN”)
Plaintiffs alleged violations of the Wyoming Royalty Payment Act. Ocean ultimately paid a total of $280,000.00 with the settlement class portion of that amount being allocated to approximately 325 members.
Belco Energy Corporation (“Westport”)
Plaintiffs alleged violations of the Wyoming Royalty Payment Act. Westport ultimately paid a total of $569,537.54 with the settlement class portion of that amount being allocated to approximately 335 members.
Encana Oil & Gas (Usa) Inc. (“NARCO”)
Plaintiffs alleged violations of the Wyoming Royalty Payment Act. NARCO ultimately paid a total of $800,000.00 with the settlement class portion of that amount being allocated to approximately 1215 members.
Abraxas Petroleum Corporation (“ABRAXAS”)
Plaintiffs alleged violations of the Wyoming Royalty Payment Act. Abraxas ultimately paid a total of $430,000.00 with the settlement class portion of that amount being allocated to approximately 49 members.
Bp America Production Company (“BP”)
Plaintiffs alleged violations of the Wyoming Royalty Payment Act. BP ultimately paid a total of $10,240,000.00 with the settlement class portion of that amount being allocated to approximately 2650 members.
Samson Resources Company (“SAMSON”)
Plaintiffs alleged violations of the Wyoming Royalty Payment Act. Samson ultimately paid a total of $1,644,638.68 with the settlement class portion of that amount being allocated to approximately 600 members.
Lance Oil and Gas Company, Inc. (“LANCE”)
Plaintiffs alleged violations of the Wyoming Royalty Payment Act. Lance ultimately paid a total of $1,785,200.00 with the settlement class portion of that amount being allocated to approximately 2,462 members.
Anadarko E&P Onshore, LLL (“LANCE”)
Plaintiffs alleged violations of the Wyoming Royalty Payment Act. Lance ultimately paid a total of $6,150,000.00 with the settlement class portion of that amount being allocated to approximately 3,217 members.
WPX Energy Rocky Mountain, LLLC (“WPX”)
Plaintiffs alleged violations of the Wyoming Royalty Payment Act. WPX ultimately paid a total of $8,135,000.00 with the settlement class portion of that amount being allocated to approximately 2,998 members.
Fidelity Exploration & Production Company (“FIDELITY”)
Plaintiffs alleged violations of the Wyoming Royalty Payment Act. Fidelity ultimately paid a total of $3,501,068.89 with the settlement class portion of that amount being allocated to approximately 264 members.
Burlington Resources Oil & Gas Company LP (“BURLINGTON”)
Plaintiffs alleged violations of the Wyoming Royalty Payment Act. Burlington ultimately paid a total of $5,850,000.00 with the settlement class portion of that amount being allocated to approximately 198 members.