This year continues an unprecedented expansion of drilling and leasing activity in Oklahoma. The Woodford Shale Play in the Arkoma Basin in southeast Oklahoma and Hunton Dewatering Projects in on central Oklahoma are advancing at near record levels. When combined with traditional drilling in the Anadarko Basin and other acreage, it appears that all section members are busy. While natural gas prices have flattened, crude oil prices continue to remain high and capital investment into the Oklahoma energy industry continues to be strong.

Officers of the Mineral Law Section for 2007 were: Chairperson, Stephen R. McNamara, Sneed Lang, PC; Chairperson-Elect, Amy Stipe, Gable Gotwals;
Secretary/Treasurer, Terry D. Ragsdale, Gable Gotwals.

This year continued the success of the Mineral Law Section Newsletter, which is sent to all members by e-mail. Professor Owen Anderson of the OU College of Law and OU student editors continue to do an excellent job of providing oil and gas cases. The newsletter is well received by the section membership and the mineral bar is grateful to Professor Anderson and the student editors for their work in continuing the publication of this valuable tool.

The Mineral Law Section and the OU College of Continuing Education again combined to sponsor the Eugene Kuntz Conference on Natural Resources Law and Policy. The conference was held on Oct. 26, 2007, at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City. The 2008 section officers will be elected at this year’s annual meeting to be held during the bar convention at 4 p.m. on Nov.8, 2007, in Oklahoma City. All prospective Mineral Law members are invited to attend.

Stephen R. McNamara
Chairperson