A Logan County Circuit judge has ruled in favor of a Texas-based company seeking to drill five new gas wells in Chief Logan State Park, rebuffing an effort by the state to block the drilling.

Judge Roger Perry ruled that the Department of Environmental Protection erred in denying the permits in 2007 because it didn't have the authority to do so.

Perry ruled that the statute cited by the DEP in its denial actually refers to another agency, the Division of Natural Resources.

Houston-based Cabot Oil & Gas. Corp. already operates three gas wells in the park and three more in an adjoining wildlife management area. The company had sought permits to drill five more.