First Class Action Lawsuit Certified Against SEECO In Royalty Scheme

Arkansas Royalty Owners Who Seek Justice to Have Their Day in Court 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Saint Francis County, Arkansas Oct. 31, 2014—The courts have approved class-action status to recover potentially more than $1 billion in royalties and damages against SEECO Inc., for Arkansas royalty owners who think they may have been defrauded of proper payments.

Class-action status was approved on Oct. 10 in Conway County Circuit Court, Arkansas. With the class-action certification, those who believe they have been wronged by SEECO can join with others to pursue their case in court for actual and punitive damages.

The lawsuit alleges that SEECO, a Houston-based oil and gas exploration and production company, deliberately underpaid royalties to landowners in Arkansas for the last eight years. A wholly owned subsidiary of Southwestern Energy Co., SEECO is the largest operator in the Fayetteville Shale gas reservoir and uses hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, techniques to extract gas from the reservoir. The lawsuit claims breach of contract, unjust enrichment, breach of statutory duty of good faith and underpayment of royalties.

A team of highly experienced attorneys are representing class members: Michael McGartland of the McGartland Law Firm, PLLC; Tim Holton of Deal, Cooper, & Holton Lawyers, PLLC; and Mike Easley of Easley & Houseal, PLLC.

“In a blatant move to defraud royalty owners, SEECO deliberately stole gas production and never paid for it,” said McGartland. “They deliberately listed false and misleading information on the checks they gave owners, and overcharged for fees and costs. We are working tirelessly on behalf of those who signed contract in good faith with SEECO, only to be shamelessly robbed. This class action certification by the court helps to ensure that all those who have been defrauded have the opportunity to find justice.”

Those who believe that SEECO has robbed them of their royalties should contact one of our attorneys immediately. We will fight tirelessly for your rights.