The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio sided with affiliates of Chesapeake Energy Corp. and Total SA in a lawsuit that alleged the companies underpaid royalties on oil and gas properties in eastern Ohio and sought to recover millions of dollars for landowners, according to Natural Gas Intelligence.

The court agreed with the defendants’ interpretation of how royalty payments should be calculated and paid to the plaintiffs under the terms of their leases.

Additionally, Judge Benita Y. Pearson also rejected the plaintiffs’ claim that they should be paid royalties based on the proceeds of sales at downstream locations, which have a higher value.

Learn more: Natural Gas Intelligence > Chesapeake, Total Prevail in Ohio Royalties Lawsuit