Natural gas rights holders win big in landmark CBM litigation

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Stikeman Elliott Calgary litigators secured a major victory for our client in precedent setting litigation involving ownership of coalbed methane gas ("CBM"). The Stikeman Elliott team successfully obtained summary judgment securing a declaration that natural gas rights holders under the majority of active oil and gas leases in Alberta are entitled to produce CBM as opposed to the coal rights owners. The decision is the first Canadian court ruling on this historic dispute and, if upheld on appeal, will substantially end litigation that has been ongoing in both the regulatory and civil court systems since 2004. The Stikeman Elliott Calgary team was comprised of Michael E. Mestinsek, Lou Cusano and Evan Dickinson.