Induced Seismicity

Arkansas Case Law

Davis et al. v. Chesapeake Operating, Inc. et al.
USDC E.D. Arkansas, No. 4:14-cv-00081

Complaint (Feb. 12, 2014) (Plaintiffs filed a lawsuit against Chesapeake Operating, Inc. alleging that the company’s injection well operations in Faulkner County are responsible for the Guy-Greenbrier earthquakes in 2010 and 2011 and, thus, for the destruction of their homes)

Plaintiffs’ Motion for Voluntary Dismissal (Mar. 20, 2014)

Order granting Motion for Voluntary Dismissal (Mar. 20, 2014)

The case is closed.

2010-2011 Guy-Greenbrier Earthquake Swarm Victims v. Chesapeake Operating, Inc. et al.
Circuit Court of Faulkner County, No. 23CV-14-84

Amended Complaint (Feb. 14, 2014) (a group of landowners in Faulkner County brought legal actions against Chesapeake Operating, Inc for allegedly causing the 2010-2011 Guy-Greenbrier earthquakes due to their wastewater injection activities)

Order dismissing all claims following a settlement agreement (Mar. 31, 2014)

The case is closed.

Thomas et al. v. Chesapeake Operating, Inc. et al.
USDC E.D. Arkansas, No. 4:13-cv-182

Complaint (Apr. 1, 2013) (a group of residents of Faulkner County filed a lawsuit against Chesapeake Operating, Inc alleging that the company’s injection well activities caused a series of earthquakes in 2010 and 2011 that destroyed their properties)

Plaintiffs’ Motion for Voluntary Dismissal (Mar. 20, 2014)

Order granting Motion for Voluntary Dismissal (Mar. 20, 2014)

The case is closed.

Sutterfield et al. v. Chesapeake Operating, Inc. et al.
USDC E.D. Arkansas, No. 4:13-cv-183

Complaint (Apr. 1, 2013) (a group of residents of Faulkner County filed a lawsuit against Chesapeake Operating, Inc alleging that the company’s injection well activities caused a series of earthquakes in 2010 and 2011 that destroyed their properties)

Amended Complaint (Jan. 6, 2014)

Plaintiffs’ Motion for Voluntary Dismissal (Mar. 20, 2014)

Order granting Motion for Voluntary Dismissal (Mar. 20, 2014)

The case is closed.

Mahan et al. v. Chesapeake Operating, Inc.
USDC E.D. Arkansas, No. 4:13-cv-00184

Complaint (Apr. 1, 2013) (a group of residents of Faulkner County filed a lawsuit against Chesapeake Operating, Inc alleging that the company’s injection well activities caused a series of earthquakes in 2010 and 2011 that destroyed their properties)

Order consolidating the Frey case (4:11-cv-00475) with the Mahan case (Aug. 20, 2013)

Amended Complaint (Jan. 9, 2014)

Plaintiffs’ Motion for Voluntary Dismissal (Mar. 20, 2014)

Order granting Motion for Voluntary Dismissal (Mar. 20, 2014)

The case is closed.

Miller et al. v. Chesapeake Operating, Inc. et al.
USDC E.D. Arkansas, No. 4:13-cv-00131

Complaint (Mar. 11, 2013) (a group of residents of Faulkner County filed a lawsuit against Chesapeake Operating, Inc alleging that the company’s injection well activities caused a series of earthquakes in 2010 and 2011 that destroyed their properties)

Plaintiffs’ Motion for Voluntary Dismissal (Mar. 20, 2014)

Order granting Motion for Voluntary Dismissal (Mar. 20, 2014)

The case is closed.

Hearn v. BHP Billiton Petroleum (Arkansas) Inc. et al.
Circuit Court of Faulkner County, No. 23CV-11-492
USDC E.D. Arkansas, No. 4:11-cv-474

Class Action Complaint (May 24, 2011) (Plaintiff Stephen Hearn filed a class action lawsuit against BHP Billiton Petroleum, Inc. for allegedly causing a series of earthquakes in Arkansas in 2010 and 2011 due to its oil and gas drilling operations)

Notice of Removal from Faulkner County Circuit Court (Jun. 9, 2011)

Joint Motion for Dismissal with Prejudice (Aug. 28, 2013)

Order granting Joint Motion for Dismissal (Aug. 29, 2013)

The case is closed.

Palmer et al. v. BHP Billiton Petroleum (Arkansas) Inc. et al.
Circuit Court of Faulkner County, No. 23CV-11-491
USDC E.D. Arkansas, No. 4:11-cv-476

Class Action Complaint (May 24, 2011) (The Palmers filed a class action lawsuit against BHP Billiton Petroleum, Inc. for allegedly causing a series of earthquakes in Arkansas in 2010 and 2011 due to its oil and gas drilling operations)

Notice of Removal from Faulkner County Circuit Court (Jun. 9, 2011)

Order consolidating this case with the Hearn case (Aug. 31, 2011)

The case is closed.

Frey et al. v. BHP Billiton Petroleum (Arkansas) Inc. et al.
Circuit Court of Faulkner County, No. 23CV-11-488
USDC E.D. Arkansas, No. 4:11-cv-475

Class Action Complaint (May 23, 2011) (The Freys filed a class action lawsuit against BHP Billiton Petroleum, Inc. for allegedly causing a series of earthquakes in Arkansas in 2010 and 2011 due to its oil and gas drilling operations

Notice of Removal from the Circuit Court of Faulkner County (Jun. 9, 2011)

Order consolidating this case with the Mahan case (Aug. 20, 2013)

The case is closed.

Lane et al. v. BHP Billiton Petroleum (Arkansas) Inc. et al.
Circuit Court of Faulkner County, No. 23CV-11-482
USDC E.D. Arkansas, No. 4:11-cv-477

Class Action Complaint (May 20, 2011) (The Lanes filed a class action lawsuit against BHP Billiton Petroleum, Inc. for allegedly causing a series of earthquakes in Arkansas in 2010 and 2011 due to its oil and gas drilling operations)

Notice of Removal from the Circuit Court of Faulkner County(Jun. 9, 2011)

Order consolidating this case with the Hearn case (Aug. 31, 2011) 

The case is closed.

Sheatsley v. Chesapeake Operating, Inc. et al.
Circuit Court of Perry County, No. CV-2011-28
USDC E.D. Arkansas, No. 4:11-cv-353

Class Action Complaint (Mar. 23, 2011) (Jacob Sheatsley filed a class action complaint against Chesapeake Operating, Inc. alleging the company’s oil and gas drilling operations are responsible for a surge in earthquakes in Arkansas in 2010 and 2011).

Notice of removal from Perry County Circuit Court (Apr. 22, 2011)

Plaintiff’s Motion for Voluntary Dismissal (Jun. 29, 2011)

Order granting Motion for Voluntary Dismissal (Jul. 13, 2011)

The case is closed.