Panhandle Oil and Gas Inc v. BHP Billiton Petroleum (Fayetteville) LLC et al

Filing 18

ORDER granting 12 MOTION to file four documents under seal. The Court directs the Clerk to accept these papers and hold them under seal. The Court would appreciate counsel providing a courtesy copy to chambers. If any party wants to be heard on this issue, it should file a brief by 6/26/2017. Signed by Judge D. P. Marshall Jr. on 6/15/2017. (jak)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
WESTERN DIVISION
PANHANDLE OIL AND GAS INC.

v.

PLAINTIFF

No. 4:17-cv-379-DPM

BHP BILLITON PETROLEUM
(FAYETTEVILLE) LLC and BP AMERICA
PRODUCTION COMPANY

DEFENDANTS

ORDER

BP' s unopposed motion to file four documents under seal is tentatively
granted. NQ 12. The Court directs the Clerk to accept these papers and hold
them under seal. The Court would appreciate counsel providing a courtesy
copy to chambers. The grant is tentative, though, because the Court can't tell
without reviewing the documents whether a sufficient reason exists to close
these important papers to the public. See, e.g., Sheppard v. Maxwell, 384 U.S.
333, 350 (1966); Arkansas Department ofHuman Services v. Hardy, 316 Ark. 119,
123, 871S.W.2d352, 355 (1994). If practicable, redaction is better than sealing;
it should be the preferred route, not just an option. Compare Fed. R. Civ. P.
5.2 with the Agreed Protective Order at III(G). If any party wants to be heard
on this issue, it should file a brief by 26 June 2017.

So Ordered.

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