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Phillips Petroleum Company v. Mississippi
United States Supreme Court
484 U.S. 469 (1988)
- Written by Alex Ruskell, JD
Facts
Phillips Petroleum Company (plaintiff) brought a quiet-title suit against Mississippi (defendant) to determine the title to certain land under waters influenced by the tide but unnavigable by boat. Mississippi had issued oil and gas leases that included the property in question, although Phillips claimed to have title to the property through prestate Spanish land grants. Mississippi argued that when it became a member of the Union it retained title to all of the land under waters subject to the ebb and flow of the tide. The court ruled in Mississippi’s favor, and the case was eventually appealed to the United States Supreme Court.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (White, J.)
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