United States DC Circuit

Because the applicable Minerals Management Service regulation for calculating government royalties unambiguously requires valuation of natural gas based on the initial sale, the Secretary's contrary interpretation of valuing the gas based on the contract price of the resale is rejected.

Appellate Information

• Argued 05/12/2003
• Decided 06/27/2003
• Published 06/27/2003

Judges

• Before:  GINSBURG, Chief Judge, and ROGERS and TATEL, Circuit Judges.

Court

• United States DC Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellant:
  
• Charles D. Tetrault argued the cause for appellants.   With him on the briefs was Daniel A. Petalas., L. Poe Leggette and Nancy L. Pell were on the brief for amicus curiae Independent Petroleum Association of America in support of appellants., John P. Wagner, Joshua B. Frank, and Thomas J. Eastment were on the brief for amicus curiae American Petroleum Institute in support of appellants.  David T. Deal entered an appearance.


• For Appellees:
  
• Todd S. Aagaard, Attorney, U.S. Department of Justice, argued the cause for appellee.   With him on the brief were Edward S. Geldermann and Ronald M. Spritzer, Attorneys.