In 1997, Sabella obtains, through a tax sale, the severed mineral estate in a 66-acre tract. He records the deed promptly. In 2001, the Harveys, who own the surface estate in a 104-acre tract that includes the 66-acre Sabella mineral estate, execute a lease to Appalachian. The lease encompasses the entire 104-acre tract and is recorded. In 2003, Appalachian sells some of its oil and gas assets through a warranty deed to the Haners, doing business as Pine Ridge Energy. The Haners employ a local attorney, Arthur Stewart, to do a "bring-down" title search. Several productive wells are drilled on Sabella's mineral estate.
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