Apache, Murphy Oil claim well data stolen in Canada

Subsidiaries of Apache Corp. and Murphy Oil Corp. have filed a lawsuit in Canada charging Predator Corp. and others with misappropriation and misuse of confidential well data to obtain acreage near a natural gas discovery in northeast British Columbia.

Feb. 13, 2001

HOUSTON, Feb. 13�Subsidiaries of Apache Corp. and Murphy Oil Corp. have filed a lawsuit in Canada charging Predator Corp. and others with misappropriation and misuse of confidential well data to obtain acreage near a natural gas discovery in northeast British Columbia.

Apache and Murphy allege that a wireline service company passed on to Predator confidential information on a gas discovery the companies made last year in the Ladyfern area of British Columbia. They also allege that Predator workers and agents trespassed on the discovery well site, landing by helicopter, to obtain confidential well data.

Apache filed the suit with the Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta.

Predator filed a counterclaim seeking more than $6 billion (Can.), said Apache.

Predator retained a 25% interest in the disputed 3,500-acre area; its 75% partner, which was not named, returned its interest to Apache at cost, said Apache.