A gas lease automatically ended when production stopped, as stated in the lease's habendum clause. The company operating the lease continued using the land after termination without permission. The court ruled this was bad faith trespass and ordered the company to pay damages, attorney's fees, and return the equipment. For subcontractors, this shows that lease terms control when work rights end, and continuing work after termination can trigger liability.
Check your contract's termination clause carefully—it may end automatically without notice when certain conditions occur (like cessation of work or production)
Continuing work or using property after a contract ends can expose you to trespass liability and bad faith damages, even if you claim the owner allowed it