Fort Worth Joins Lawsuit Against Chesapeake Energy

Fort Worth and several other individuals and cities have sued Oklahoma City-based Chesapeake Energy claiming the company underpaid natural gas royalties.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports Friday the lawsuit was filed in a Tarrant County district court.

The newspaper says the lawsuit filed Thursday claims Chesapeake improperly deducted production services and sold natural gas to its affiliates under market price. The lawsuit says that as a result Fort Worth, Arlington and others were underpaid royalties.

Chesapeake Energy spokesman Gordon Pennoyer declined to comment.

The lawsuit also lists French energy company Total E&P. That company bought 25 percent of Chesapeake's Barnett shale holdings in 2010.

Arlington first filed a lawsuit against Chesapeake in August. Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price says that prompted the city to investigate its dealings with Chesapeake.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us