N.d. Energy Services v. Lime Rock Resources Iii-A

Summary

The North Dakota Supreme Court affirmed the district court’s summary judgment granting Lime Rock Resources the right to install and operate layflat hoses under its oil and gas leases and dismissing ND Energy Services’ claims of tortious interference and injunction. The Court held the leases unambiguously grant that right, found ND Energy had constructive notice of a prior surface use agreement and therefore was not a good‑faith purchaser, and concluded Lime Rock’s actions were justified. The decision rests on established lease interpretation principles and the accommodation doctrine.