Question

Gary owns the surface rights for High Desert Ranch, which includes a house, a bunkhouse, and two barns. Ida owns the subsurface rights. When Ida drills for and extracts the oil beneath the ranch, the surface subsides and the structures collapse. Most likely responsible for the damage is

Answer 1

1. As per the given situation, Ida drills and extracts from the subsurface which is owned by Ida only, but as the main surface which is owned by Gary is damaged because of the same Ida is responsible for the damages incurred by Gary.
2. Gary may proceed legally against Ida and claim the damages.
3. But before that as the main surface and sub surface are owned by two different people there might be an agreement between the 2 parties, the agreement should be studies thoroughly before proceeding legally.