Surface Use: Issues From Both Sides of the Fence

The session will focus on strategies for defending potential nuisance claims brought by surface owners by oil and gas operators. The webinar will also discuss the use of the surface estate by oil and gas operators. This webinar will analyze the elements of the accommodation doctrine and potential claims raised by surface owners regarding oil and gas development on their lands. Finally, the webinar will cover subsurface trespass and when an oil and gas operator may or may not need to obtain subsurface easements or agreements.

Robert 'Eli' Kiefaber, JD

Partner

Steptoe & Johnson, PLLC

Robert W. (Eli) Kiefaber is a founding partner of Kiefaber & Oliva LLP. Eli focuses his practice on mineral title issues, oil and gas transactions and litigation, real estate matters and business litigation. His practice includes title opinions, division order opinions, joint operating agreements, acquisition and divestiture of oil and gas assets, federal leases, pooling and unitization, environmental and regulatory matters, and energy and environmental litigation, including the Clean Air Act and the Endangered Species Act.

Eli has an extensive background in oil and gas matters and business litigation. He has prepared hundreds of title opinions, including drilling title opinions, division order opinions, supplemental title opinions and acquisition title opinions. Eli’s experience also extends to complex business litigation where he has represented Fortune 500 companies in environmental litigation, real property disputes, breach of contract matters, and a variety of other business disputes in state and federal courts.

Eli is also a regular speaker on issues relating to the development of unconventional shale plays and has given presentations regarding legal issues of oil and gas development in Texas, Ohio, Colorado and other shale play states. He is also active in the oil and gas community and an active member of the American Association of Petroleum Landmen, Houston Association of Petroleum Landmen, the North Houston Association of Petroleum Landmen, the Houston Bar Association – Oil and Gas Section, and the State Bar of Texas – Oil and Gas Section. Eli is also a member of The College of the State Bar of Texas.

Eli earned his B.A from Kenyon College and his J.D., with honors, from Marquette University Law School. Eli is licensed to practice law in Texas, Ohio and Colorado. He is also admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

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Surface Use: Issues From Both Sides of the Fence
Open to view video.
Open to view video. The session will focus on strategies for defending potential nuisance claims brought by surface owners by oil and gas operators. The webinar will also discuss the use of the surface estate by oil and gas operators. This webinar will analyze the elements of the accommodation doctrine and potential claims raised by surface owners regarding oil and gas development on their lands. Finally, the webinar will cover subsurface trespass and when an oil and gas operator may or may not need to obtain subsurface easements or agreements.
Surface Use: Issues From Both Sides of the Fence Survey
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5 Questions On-Demand Webinar Survey Complete survey to view the certificate.
Surface Use: Issues From Both Sides of the Fence Certificate
1.00 CEU credit  |  Certificate available
1.00 CEU credit  |  Certificate available