CHEYENNE, Wyo. (Legal Newsline) — A national petroleum trade association is suing the U.S. Interior Department, alleging violation of federal law.
The American Petroleum Institute filed a complaint May 11 in U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming against the U.S. Department of the Interior, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, the Office of Natural Resources Revenue and director Gregory Gould, alleging they eviscerated the hierarchy of the civil penalty provisions of the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act.
According to the complaint, API was damaged due to the final rule's net effect. The plaintiff alleges the defendants replaced the provision of the Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act, which could risk federal and Native American oil and gas lessees for enforcement actions.
The American Petroleum Institute seeks appropriate damages. It is represented by attorney Keith S. Burron of Crowley Fleck PLLP in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming Case number 17CV083-F