Mineral company sues landowners for access

Samson Lone Star has filed suit against Winnie residents Walter and Pamela Stokes in order to access and mine minerals on their land.

Samson maintains that it entered into an agreement to jointly develop minerals in lands in Jefferson and Chambers County, according to the company's petition, filed Jan. 13 in Jefferson County District Court.

The mineral company has spent "tens of millions of dollars" to survey 640,000 gross acres in the surrounding companies.

Now, Samson wishes to conduct a seismic survey on land owned by the Stokeses. But when the company's crew began work, the couple demanded they leave, the suit states.

Samson maintains that it has leased the right to access the minerals. However, the Stokeses hold the surface rights and are refusing the company access.

Samson is asking the court to issue a temporary restraining order and injunction to stop the landowners from interfering with its operation.

The company is represented by attorney Hoke Peacock II of the Orgain Bell & Tucker law firm in Beaumont.

Judge Milton Shuffield, 136th District Court, has been assigned to the case.

Case No. D189-158