UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO | CASE NO. 2:21-cv-3999

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Welcome to the official
Smith-Goshen Royalty Class Action website

WHAT IS THIS CLASS ACTION ABOUT?

Plaintiffs raised issues related to the calculation of royalty payments made by Defendants, deductions of Post-Production Costs by Defendants, and the stratigraphic depths granted to Defendants. A Settlement has been proposed between Class Counsel and the Defendants and preliminarily approved by the Court pursuant to which settlement payments will be made to members of the proposed Settlement Class.

Please read the Notice.

Settlement Agreement has received final court approval, and settlement payment checks will be mailed by May 18, 2026.

  • PLEASE READ THIS NOTICE CAREFULLY. It impacts your rights and provides you with information regarding a class action lawsuit over royalty payments on oil and gas mineral leases in Ohio against Rice Drilling D, LLC, EQT Production Company, EQT Energy, LLC, and EQT Corporation (collectively, the “Defendants”). Your legal rights are affected whether or not you take action.
  • The Settlement will pay money to those who receive this Notice and are Class Members, as well as fees and expenses for the Class Counsel and an incentive award to Dorothy Bowman, Maple Ridge Farm, LLC, and OK Ridge Farm, LLC for acting as the Class Representative as approved by the Court.

YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS AND OPTIONS IN THIS SETTLEMENT

Do Nothing

  • If you do nothing, received the Settlement Notice in the mail, and are identified by the Claim Administrator as a Class Member, you will receive a Claim Form and Benefit Notice automatically if the Court approves the Settlement, which is scheduled for hearing on January 22, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. at the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio located at 85 Marconi Boulevard, Columbus, OH 43215. To get paid, Class Members must sign the Claim Form and Benefit Notice and release their right to sue the Defendants for the same legal claims as in this case.

Provide Additional Information

  • Complete the Class Membership Form you receive in the mail, included as Exhibit 1 on the Settlement Notice attached to this page, or submit electronically below. By doing so, you will be assisting the Settlement Administrator with determining whether you are a Class Member. The Class Membership Form is optional, and is not required to be a Class Member or receive payment if you are identified as a Class Member by the Settlement Administrator.

Object/Comment

  • Write to us as the Settlement Administrator, including the information requested within the Settlement Notice you receive in the mail or attached to this page, if have an objection and request the Court not to approve the Settlement.

Go to the Hearing

  • Ask to speak in Court about the fairness of the Settlement.

Deadlines Contained in the Settlement Notice

YOU MAY: DUE DATE:
Submit a Class Membership Form Postmarked by: November 21, 2025
Exclude Yourself From The Settlement Postmarked by: November 21, 2025
Object To The Settlement Postmarked by: November 21, 2025
Request To Appear At The Fairness Hearing Postmarked by: November 21, 2025
Return Your Signed Ratification Postmarked by: 90 days after checks are mailed
Settlement Administrator

James H. Rumph, CPA
Schneider Downs & Co., Inc.
65 E. State Street, Suite 2000
Columbus, OH 43215
[email protected]
(412) 697-5030