This was another exciting year to be involved in the oil and gas industry. Oklahoma continued to see an increase in drilling and leasing activity. Energy prices also continued to rise, helping to provide a good environment for section members and their practices. This year was also a great time to be a part of the Oklahoma Bar Association’s Mineral Law Section, as we continued to build on past successes and made strides to bring the members new and relevant information helpful to their practices.

Officers of the Mineral Law Section for 2008 were: Chairperson, Amy M. Stipe, Gable Gotwals; Chairperson-Elect, Terry D. Ragsdale, Gable Gotwals; Secretary/Treasurer, Chris Tytanic, Devon Energy; and Budget Director, Vance Brown, Elias, Books, Brown & Nelson.

This year continued the success of the Mineral Law Section Newsletter, which is sent to all members by e-mail. Professor Owen Anderson of the University of Oklahoma College of Law and OU Law student editors continued to do an excellent job of providing information on oil and gas cases. The newsletter is well received by the section membership and the mineral bar is grateful to Professor Anderson and the student editors for their work in continuing the publication of this valuable tool.

The Mineral Law Section and the University of Oklahoma College of Continuing Education again combined to sponsor the Eugene Kuntz Conference on Natural Resources Law and Policy. The conference will be held on Nov. 7, 2008, at the Sheraton Oklahoma City Hotel.

The 2009 Mineral Law Section officers will be elected at this year’s annual meeting to be held during the Oklahoma Bar Association Conference which takes place Nov. 19-21, 2008, in Oklahoma City. All prospective Mineral Law members are invited to attend. We look forward to another great year of education and service by the Mineral Law Section.

Amy M. Stipe, Gable Gotwals
Chairperson