ELR Citation: ELR 20330
No(s). 18 (N.Y. May 26, 1971)

Producers' agreement prior to drilling, to maintain a 2,500-foot distance between wells, did not constitute voluntary integration of gas wells in the Wyckoff Field to achieve the statutorily required purpose of efficient use, because voluntary integration can occur only after spacing of the wells has been accomplished. Compulsory integration regulated by the Conservation Department is necessary to protect the correlative rights of the drillers. The constitutionality of New York's conservation laws giving the Conservation Department power to regulate gas and oil well drilling to prevent waste is upheld.

Counsel for Petitioner Sylvania Corp.:
Arthur M. Sherwood
Robert M. Hitchcock
Phillips, Lytle, Hitchcock, Blaine & Huber
1300 Marine Trust Bldg.
Buffalo, NY 14203
(716) 852-6100

Counsel for Respondent Wyckoff Devel. Co.:
James J. Flood Jr.
Patterson, Belknap, Farmer & Shibley
1120 Connecticut Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 337-9211

Craig B. Bright
Patterson, Belknap & Webb
One Wall St.
New York City, NY 10005
(212) 943-1300

Counsel for R. Stewart Kilborne, Commissioner, New York Conservation Dept.:
Louis J. Lefkowitz Attorney General
Douglas S. Dales Jr.
Ruth Kessler Toch
State Dept. of Law
State Capitol
Albany, NY 12224
(518) 474-2121

Burke, Scileppi, Bergan, Breitel, Jasen, and Gibson, JJ., concur.