Hundreds Of Royalties Lawsuits Against Chesapeake Combined

More than 400 lawsuits alleging unpaid oil and gas royalties by Chesapeake Energy Corp. and its affiliates have been consolidated in Texas.

The Dallas Morning News reported Sunday that more $1 billion in royalties could be at stake, affecting nearly 25,000 property owners.

Attorney Dan McDonald of Fort Worth says the majority of cases involve small landowners. McDonald says some people who own bigger tracts weren't really familiar with the oil and gas industry.

Oklahoma-based Chesapeake denies wrongdoing and filed court documents saying the lawsuits, consolidated before a judge in Fort Worth, are groundless.

Chesapeake Operating Inc. and some Barnett Shale mineral rights owners this month reached an out-of-court settlement over alleged underpaid oil and gas royalties. The settlement included billionaire investor Edward Bass of Fort Worth. Terms weren't released.