198 Pa. 581 | Pa. | 1901
Opinion by
We ordered a reargument of this case because we were not satisfied that a right conclusion had been reached by the learned master as to the amount for which the defendant was liable by reason of his failure to develop in good faith the land which he has leased of the plaintiff for the production of oil. By the decree made the plaintiff is allowed a royalty of one eighth of
The proper measure of damages was the market value of one eighth of the oil taken from the plaintiff’s land and brought to the surface through the Stotler well. The basis of the decree is the reasonable probability because of the nature of the soil, the proximity of the well to the plaintiff’s land, and the effect produced on this well by the flow of other wells in the vicinity, that a part of the oil produced came from the plaintiff’s land. As it came by drainage from the porous rock within 500 or 600 feet of the well, it is not more difficult to determine approximately the amount taken, than it is to determine that any was taken. Presumably the drainage was uniform, and the plaintiff’s land contributed a part which bore the same proportion to the whole amount produced, as his land within the circle drained bore to the whole area of drainage. This proportion is about one to eight and the defendant should not be held liable for more than one eighth of the royalty on the whole. The damages awarded by the decree are reduced to 1444.91. With this modification the decree is affirmed at the cost of the appellant.