Heinze

Exxon Corporation (“Exxon”) 1 appeals an order dismissing its 42 U.S.C. § 1983 lawsuit and denying its prayer to enjoin certain Alaska state court litigation over state oil and gas royalties. Exxon contends that the state court litigation violates its due process right to an unbiased forum. Because a partial settlement has substantially changed the posture of the case, and because the factual record is now insufficient to review Exxon’s claims on their merits, we dismiss for lack of ripeness, vacating the district court’s order.

I.

In 1977, the State of Alaska filed a state court action against Exxon and eighteen other companies producing gas and oil on Alaska’s North Slope (“the producers”). See Alaska v. Amerada Hess Corp. et al., Civil No. IJU-77-847 (hereinafter “the ANS Royalty Litigation”). The State sought a declaration of its rights under certain mineral leases which require the producers to pay *1401 royalties on the gas and oil they extract from state lands.

In 1983, the State amended its complaint to add a claim for underpayment of past royalties, alleging that the producers had systematically underestimated the value of certain gas and oil. The producers…