Oil prices rebounded since our last report while natural gas spot prices remained relatively steady but sluggish. In Appalachia, the Third Circuit approved environmental permits for the Transco Leidy Line over the objections of environmental groups, and another bankruptcy court blessed the rejection of agreements under Section 365 (this time in the coal context). Elsewhere, the judge overseeing the Sabine bankruptcy approved a final restructuring plan and settlement, while the North Dakota Supreme Court denies a lease busting attempt based on a temporary cessation of production. Here’s a roundup of the past several weeks: About The Author

After the recent jolt, the rig count stayed relatively flat since our last report amidst dipping oil prices and natural gas spot prices still struggling to hit $3/MMBtu again. In Appalachia, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court issued a long anticipated decision on “title washing”; the Commonwealth Court tossed a unique climate change lawsuit; lease disputes abound in the federal courts; and FERC gave a preliminary OK to a PA pipeline project.  Elsewhere, a court of appeals in Texas tossed a dispute over mineral rights after the plaintiffs failed to join all stakeholders in the case before their deadline passed while courts in other states grapple with  royalty and post-production cost sharing, bankruptcies and rejection under Section 365, and income tax deduction…