Steelsmith v. Aiken

Citations

• 14 Pa. Super. 226
• 1900 Pa. Super. LEXIS 38

Syllabus

<p>Oil and gas wells — Recovery for plugging abandoned well — Privity of estate — Right of action.</p> <p>The right to plug an abandoned well at the expense of the delinquent operator is made appurtenant to an estate in lands under the Act of June 10, 1881, P. L. 110. One cannot assert the right before he has acquired nor after he has parted with such an estate. The right accrues as soon as the delinquency is complete.</p> <p>It follows therefore that when one acquires title under a lease he becomes entitled through privity of estate and for protection of his property to plug a well abandoned prior to his leasing the adjoining property and to recover the cost from the delinquent operator under the provisions of said act of 1881.</p>