Appeals Court rules against Osage county landowner in fight over pipeline

The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled against an Osage County landowner who filed suit challenging an energy company’s right to locate a pipeline on his land.

The appeals court ruled against Wayne Schafer’s appeal of a ruling in his lawsuit against Centerpoint Energy Oklahoma Gas. Schafer contended the company did not have a lawful easement for the pipeline on his land and that he had not received any compensation from the company.

The suit was originally filed in Osage County district court then moved to the U.S. District Court in Tulsa. Schafer wanted a permanent injunction against the company but District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell ruled against him. So Schafer went to the appeals court in Denver even though the full case had yet to go to trial.

While the appeals court ruled against Schafer, his case against Centerpoint will go to trial in August.