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Pipeline & Easement
Default Judgment in Pipeline Condemnation: Court Awards Just Compensation Based Solely on Condemning Party's Remainder Damages Methodology
Joel Reese | Oct 12, 2026
FERC Certificate
Pipeline Condemnation
Just Compensation
Remainder Damages
Appalachian Basin
Pipeline & Easement
Standing Rock Challenges Army Corps Easement for Dakota Access Lake Oahe Crossing on NEPA Spill Risk Grounds
Joel Reese | Oct 12, 2026
Pipeline Easement
NEPA
Midstream Infrastructure
Bakken
Tribal Treaty Rights
Pipeline & Easement
District Court Grants Transcon Immediate Possession Under Natural Gas Act Section 7(h) Over Township Opposition
Joel Reese | Oct 12, 2026
Pipeline Easement
Natural Gas Act
Federal Eminent Domain
Condemnation Proceedings
FERC Certificate
M&A Litigation
El Paso Court of Appeals Issues Precedential Guidance on Indemnification Claim Notice Requirements in Permian Basin M&A Dispute
Joel Reese | Oct 12, 2026
E&P Acquisition
Permian Basin
Delaware Basin
Indemnification
Representations and Warranties
Lease Litigation
Court of Federal Claims Denies Damages for Void Federal Lease Issued Over Indian Trust Lands in Violation of IMLA
Joel Reese | Oct 12, 2026
Williston Basin
Indian Mineral Leasing Act
Federal Lease
MHA Nation
Void Ab Initio
Regulatory
District of New Mexico Allows Antitrust Claims by Indirect Fuel Purchasers Against Major Shale Producers to Proceed, Rejects Act-of-State Defense
Joel Reese | Oct 12, 2026
Antitrust
Production Restraint
Indirect Purchaser Standing
Act-of-State Doctrine
MDL
Regulatory
RRC Assesses $1.25 Million in October 2026 Enforcement Actions for Plugging, Water Protection, and Pipeline Severance Violations
Joel Reese | Oct 12, 2026
Texas Railroad Commission
Regulatory Enforcement
Plugging Obligations
Water Protection
Disposal Wells
Title Disputes
Eleventh Court Holds Unproduced Letter Agreement Defeats Summary Judgment on ORRI Chain of Title
Joel Reese | Oct 12, 2026
Overriding Royalty Interest
Summary Judgment
Chain of Title
Texas Appellate
ORRI Disputes
Lease Litigation
Fifth Circuit Holds 'Prevent' in Force Majeure Clauses Requires Only Impracticability, Excludes Expert Testimony on Contract Interpretation
Joel Reese | Oct 12, 2026
Force Majeure
Winter Storm Uri
Contract Interpretation
Expert Testimony
Gas Purchase Agreement
Royalty Disputes
Eighth District Addresses Operating Cotenant Status Under Chapter 91's Statutory Payor Framework in Pioneer Royalty Dispute
Joel Reese | Oct 12, 2026
Royalty Interest
Permian Basin
Working Interest
Chapter 91 Natural Resources Code
Operating Cotenant
Royalty Disputes
Western District of Texas Limits Gross Proceeds Royalty Obligation to Third-Party Sale Point in Delaware Basin Dispute
Joel Reese | Oct 12, 2026
Royalty Interest
Post-Production Costs
Gross Proceeds
Permian Basin
NGL Deductions
Royalty Disputes
Eighth District Holds Nonoperating Lessees Owe Royalty From First Sale—Not Receipt of Proceeds—Creating 19x Fee Multiplier Exposure in Co-Tenancy Arrangements
Joel Reese | Oct 12, 2026
Joint Operating Agreement
Chapter 91 Royalty Payment
Co-Tenancy Disputes
Nonoperating Working Interest
Attorney's Fee Multiplier
Regulatory
Railroad Commission's Unprecedented Deep Disposal Well Suspensions in Northern Culberson-Reeves Seismic Response Area Test Limits of Induced Seismicity Regulatory Authority
Joel Reese | Oct 12, 2026
Railroad Commission
Delaware Basin
Disposal Well Regulation
Induced Seismicity
Culberson County
Environmental
Railroad Commission Investigates $2.65 Million Orphaned Well Blowout Cost Allocation Among Disposal Well Operators
Joel Reese | Oct 12, 2026
Permian Basin
Saltwater Disposal
Texas Railroad Commission
Orphaned Well Liability
Joint and Several Liability
M&A Litigation
Eighth Court Dismisses Sitio Permian Appeal Over Delaware Basin Assets for Failure to Pay Filing Fees
Joel Reese | Oct 12, 2026
E&P Acquisition
Reeves County
Delaware Basin
M&A Litigation
Appellate Procedure
Lease Litigation
Ninth District Holds Retained Acreage Clause Operates as Single 'Snapshot' Event, Not Rolling Termination Mechanism
Joel Reese | Oct 12, 2026
Habendum Clause
Texas
Lease Termination
Retained Acreage
Pugh Clause
Regulatory
Railroad Commission Enforcement Actions Follow 84,000 Bbl/Day Stanton SRA Disposal Well Curtailments After M4.4 Earthquake
Joel Reese | Oct 12, 2026
Permian Basin
Railroad Commission Enforcement
Disposal Well Regulation
Induced Seismicity
Emergency Curtailment Orders
Pipeline & Easement
Supreme Court to Resolve Whether Natural Gas Act Preempts State Fee-Shifting in Pipeline Condemnation Cases
Joel Reese | Oct 12, 2026
Eminent Domain
North Dakota
Natural Gas Act § 7
Fee-Shifting
Midstream Infrastructure
Regulatory
Eighth Circuit Rules on Tribal Court Jurisdiction Over Non-Indian Oil and Gas Operators in Fort Berthold Reservation Dispute
Joel Reese | Oct 12, 2026
Williston Basin
Tribal Court Jurisdiction
Montana v. United States
North Dakota
E&P Operations
Royalty Disputes
Texas Court Endorses 'Proceeds Plus' Royalty Model in Dimmit County Dispute, Requiring Add-Back of All Post-Production Costs
Joel Reese | Oct 12, 2026
Netback Calculation
Royalty Interest
Gross Proceeds
South Texas
Eagle Ford Shale
Pipeline & Easement
Thirteenth Court Forecloses Collateral Attacks on Pipeline Condemnation Authority, Requires Challenges in County Court Proceeding
Joel Reese | Oct 12, 2026
Eminent Domain
South Texas
Gas Utility
Texas Utilities Code § 181.004
Condemnation Authority
Energy Broker's Letter of Assurance Fails to Create Enforceable Rate Guarantee Against Pass-Through Regulatory Charges
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Contract Interpretation
Energy Brokerage
Regulatory Pass-Through Costs
Letter of Assurance
Misrepresentation
Regulatory
Supreme Court Restricts Standing to Challenge Federal Energy Facility Licenses in NRC v. Texas
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Administrative Law
Fifth Circuit
Standing
Regulatory
Federal Licensing
M&A Litigation
Bankruptcy Court Strikes Former Counsel's Affidavit Supporting Adverse Party in Working Interest Dispute
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Working Interest
Bankruptcy
Nominee Agreement
Attorney Ethics
Texas Disciplinary Rules
Royalty Disputes
Fort Worth Court Rejects 'Proceeds Plus' Theory in Barnett Shale Wellhead Royalty Dispute
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Barnett Shale
Netback Calculation
Post-Production Costs
Wellhead Valuation
Market Value Royalty
Regulatory
Fifth Circuit Enforces Arbitration Against FLSA Claimant Through Incorporation by Reference in Staffing Agreement
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Fifth Circuit
Arbitration
FLSA
Staffing Arrangements
Independent Contractor Misclassification
Regulatory
Fifth Circuit Applies Louisiana Oilfield Anti-Indemnity Act to Offshore Platform Service Contract, Rejecting Maritime Law Characterization
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Fifth Circuit
OCSLA
Indemnity Provisions
Louisiana Oilfield Anti-Indemnity Act
Maritime Law
Regulatory
Federal Court Upholds Texas LSIPA Against Preemption Challenge by Chinese-Owned Renewable Energy Company
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Fifth Circuit
ERCOT
Foreign Investment
Preemption
Critical Infrastructure
Environmental
Texas Supreme Court Clarifies TCEQ Antidegradation Review Standards for Water Discharge Permits in Tier 2 Waterways
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Texas Supreme Court
Administrative Procedure Act
TCEQ
Water Discharge Permits
Antidegradation Standards
Northern District of Texas Rejects Force Majeure Defense in Winter Storm Uri Natural Gas Supply Dispute
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Force Majeure
Winter Storm Uri
Fifth Circuit
Contract Interpretation
Natural Gas Supply Contract
M&A Litigation
Ninth Court of Appeals Affirms Specific Jurisdiction Over Nonresident in Papua New Guinea Oil Interest Dispute
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Working Interest
Personal Jurisdiction
Long-Arm Statute
International Oil & Gas
Fraud Claims
Fifth Court Reverses $1.84 Million Oilfield Injury Verdict on Proximate Causation Grounds in Multi-Party Contractor Case
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Proximate Causation
Independent Contractor
Workover Rig
Oilfield Injury
Substantial Factor Test
Pipeline & Easement
Federal Court Denies Dismissal of Maritime Negligence Claims Against Pipeline Contractor for Alleged Oyster Lease Damage in Galveston Bay
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Pipeline Easement
Surface Damage
Midstream
Fifth Circuit
Maritime Negligence
Environmental
El Paso Court Denies Interlocutory Appeal on 'Concrete Risk of Harm' Accrual Standard in Wastewater Injection Case
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Delaware Basin
Statute of Limitations
Wastewater Disposal
Permissive Interlocutory Appeal
Injury to Land
Pipeline & Easement
Texas Supreme Court Reverses $6.1 Million Pipeline Breach Award, Holds Courts Impermissibly Blue-Penciled Force Majeure Provision
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Texas Supreme Court
Force Majeure
Midstream
Contract Interpretation
Lost Profits
Lease Litigation
Texas Supreme Court Reverses Hughes v. Cantwell, Holds Habendum Clause Does Not Require Personal Production by Lessee
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Texas Supreme Court
Habendum Clause
Working Interest
Lease Termination
Anti-Forfeiture Rule
M&A Litigation
Fifth Circuit Vacates Bankruptcy Court's 'Single Satisfaction' Violation in Sanchez Energy Reorganization
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Fifth Circuit
Bankruptcy
Preferential Transfer
DIP Financing
Lien Perfection
Environmental
District Court Denies Dismissal of OCSLA Decommissioning Dispute Over Hurricane-Damaged Gulf Platform
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
M&A Litigation
OCSLA
Indemnity Provisions
Gulf of Mexico
Decommissioning Liability
Lease Litigation
Dallas Court Affirms Special Judge Verdict Dismissing Investor's Fraud Claims Against Oil and Gas Joint Venture Operator
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Fiduciary Duty
Fraudulent Inducement
Joint Venture
Standing
Special Judge
Environmental
Business Court Applies Mandatory Venue Rule to Declaratory Judgment Action Over Saltwater Disposal Well Damage in Loving County
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Permian Basin
Subsurface Trespass
Saltwater Disposal
Mandatory Venue
Formation Damage
SandRidge Bankruptcy Court Denies Plan Enforcement on D&O Indemnification Discharge Claims
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Executory Contracts
Chapter 11
D&O Insurance
Indemnification
Securities Litigation
Environmental
Supreme Court Establishes Broad Deference Standard for Agency NEPA Review in Energy Infrastructure Cases
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Midstream
NEPA
Environmental Impact Statement
Surface Transportation Board
Uinta Basin
Regulatory
Southern District of Texas Denies Motion to Disqualify V&E in BOEM Surety Bond Indemnity Dispute
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Decommissioning Obligations
Surety Bonds
Gulf of Mexico
BOEM
Attorney Disqualification
Royalty Disputes
District Court Partially Denies Dismissal in Marcellus Shale Royalty Dispute Alleging Affiliate Sales Manipulation and RICO Violations
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Post-Production Costs
Royalty Calculation
Marcellus Shale
Affiliate Sales
RICO
Lease Litigation
Texas Supreme Court Resolves Produced Water Ownership: Mineral Lessee Prevails Over Surface Estate in First-Impression Case
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Texas Supreme Court
Lease Interpretation
Produced Water
Mineral Estate
Surface Estate
Regulatory
Southern District of Texas Denies Sureties' Demand for $105 Million in Collateral for Gulf of Mexico Decommissioning Bonds
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Decommissioning Obligations
Surety Bonds
Gulf of Mexico
Preliminary Injunction
BOEM
Environmental
Supreme Court Grants Fuel Producers Standing to Challenge EPA Approval of California's Electric Vehicle Mandate
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Regulatory
Clean Air Act
Article III Standing
EPA
California Waiver
Pipeline & Easement
First Court Applies Section 95.003 Liability Shield to Utility Easements, Reversing $15.4 Million Contractor Injury Verdict
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Pipeline Easement
Independent Contractor Liability
Utility Infrastructure
Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code
Premises Liability
Regulatory
Southern District of Texas Grants Section 1782 Discovery Against Texas E&P Companies for DRC Administrative Challenge to Lake Kivu Methane Auction
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Production Sharing Agreement
Section 1782 Discovery
International Operations
Administrative Challenge
Environmental NGO
Fifth Circuit Holds Life Rafts on Offshore Platforms Constitute 'Mining Equipment' Under Texas Fair Practices Act
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Statutory Construction
Fifth Circuit
Texas Fair Practices Act
Offshore Operations
Dealership Agreements
M&A Litigation
First Court Reverses Temporary Injunction Freezing Crude Oil Broker's Assets Over $5.6 Million Payment Dispute
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Crude Oil Marketing
Temporary Injunction
Insolvency Event
ConocoPhillips GTC
Payment Default
Lease Litigation
Eastland Court Reverses Surface Damage Claim Dismissal and Usury Award in Jones County Oil and Gas Lease Dispute
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Surface Damage
Fair Notice Pleading
Usury
Pro Se Litigation
Texas Finance Code
Western District of Texas Grants Summary Judgment in Oilfield Services Employment Retaliation Case, Applying Sham Affidavit Doctrine
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Permian Basin
Summary Judgment
Oilfield Services
Title VII
Sham Affidavit Doctrine
Southern District of Texas Dismisses $3 Million Equipment Supply Claim Against PDVSA on Jurisdictional and Pleading Grounds
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
PDVSA
Alter Ego Liability
Joint Liability
Twombly-Iqbal
Equipment Supply Contracts
Regulatory
Fifth Circuit Bars Surety's Subrogation Claims Against Prior OCS Leaseholders for Decommissioning Bond Payments
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Fifth Circuit
OCSLA
Decommissioning
Subrogation
Performance Bonds
Title Disputes
Eastland Court Reverses Title Judgment Where Trespass-to-Try-Title Pleadings Failed to Support Award of Nonpossessory Royalty Interests
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Royalty Owner
Title Disputes
Trespass-to-Try-Title
Declaratory Judgment
Nonpossessory Interests
Fourteenth Court Affirms Judgment on Oral Modification Defense in Oil Field Equipment Procurement Dispute
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Statute of Frauds
Oilfield Services
Quantum Meruit
Contract Modification
Texas Fourteenth Court of Appeals
Lease Litigation
Eastland Court Bars Lessor's Self-Help Burial of Lessee's Flow Lines, Reverses $30,000 Damage Award
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Surface Damage
Self-Help Remedies
Flow Lines
Dominant Mineral Estate
Trespass to Chattels
Fifth Circuit Applies Louisiana Law to Platform Indemnity Dispute, Finding Vessel's Transportation Role Insufficient for Maritime Contract Classification
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Fifth Circuit
OCSLA
Gulf of Mexico
Maritime Law
Indemnity Clause
Class Certification Denied in $155 Million Carbon Capture Ponzi Scheme: Individualized Reliance Issues Predominate Over Common Questions
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Class Certification
Texas Securities Act
Ponzi Scheme
Rule 23(b)(3)
Carbon Capture
Eastern District of Texas Grants Summary Judgment on ADEA Claims Following Asset Sale to Arcotex
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
ADEA
Employment Discrimination
Asset Sale
Corporate Veil
Administrative Exhaustion
Royalty Disputes
Northern District of Texas Allows Revival of Time-Barred Revenue Claims Based on Operator's 2022 Acknowledgment of Debt from First Sales
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Royalty Disputes
Working Interest
Statute of Limitations
Acknowledgment of Debt
Texas Natural Resources Code Chapter 91
Lease Litigation
Fourth Court Holds TCPA Does Not Apply to Implied Covenant Drainage Claim Despite Railroad Commission Permit Application
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Eagle Ford
Implied Covenant to Protect from Drainage
TCPA
Rule 37 Exception
Offset Well
M&A Litigation
Business Court Construes Force Majeure Carve-Out in Industry Form Gas Contract: No Duty to Purchase Spot-Market Gas
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Force Majeure
Business Court of Texas
Gas Sales Contract
Spot Market
Industry Form Contract
Fifth Circuit Holds Contractually-Mandated Settlement Negotiations Trigger Insurer's Duty to Defend Under CGL Policy
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Fifth Circuit
Duty to Defend
CGL Policy
Oilfield Services
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Royalty Disputes
Western District of Texas Applies Heritage Framework to Production Sharing Agreement's No-Deductions Clause in Reeves County Royalty Dispute
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Post-Production Costs
Royalty Owner
Permian Basin
Heritage Resources
Production Sharing Agreement
Regulatory
Fifth Circuit Upholds FERC's Denial of Rolled-In Rate Predetermination for Interstate Pipeline Expansion
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Fifth Circuit
NEPA
FERC
Pipeline Expansion
Rolled-In Rates
Lease Litigation
Fourteenth Court Holds Non-Signatory Bound by Forum-Selection Clause Through Incorporation in Alaska JOA Dispute
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Joint Operating Agreement
Working Interest
Alaska
Forum-Selection Clause
Carried Interest
Special Appearance
Regulatory
Texas Appellate Court Affirms Manufacturing Exemption for Oilfield Chemical Containers in Sales Tax Refund Dispute
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Oilfield Services
Sales and Use Tax
Manufacturing Exemption
Texas Tax Code
Chemical Manufacturing
Lease Litigation
Eastland Court Denies Mandamus Enforcing Alberta Forum-Selection Clause in Composite Pipe Dispute
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Forum-Selection Clause
Contract Formation
Equitable Estoppel
Mandamus
E&P
Environmental
Fifth Circuit Withdraws EPA Regional Haze Rule Decision, Substitution Opinion Pending
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Fifth Circuit
Clean Air Act
Texas Oil & Gas Association
EPA
Regional Haze
Lease Litigation
Fifth Circuit Holds 40-Day Production Cessation During Bankruptcy Does Not Terminate Texas Oil and Gas Leases
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Habendum Clause
Cessation of Production
Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
Administrative Expense Claims
Fifth Circuit
Regulatory
Texas Court of Appeals Holds Oilfield Chemical Manufacturer's Porta-Feed Containers Qualify for Manufacturing Exemption from Sales Tax
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Oilfield Services
Sales and Use Tax
Manufacturing Exemption
Texas Tax Code
Chemical Manufacturing
Lease Litigation
Ninth Court of Appeals Reverses on Habendum Clause Construction: Whether 90-Day Cessation Provision Replaces Clifton Prudent Operator Standard
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Habendum Clause
Lease Termination
Production in Paying Quantities
Clifton v. Koontz
Pooled Units
Texas Courts of Appeals
Royalty Disputes
Eastland Court Holds JOA Non-Operator Not Liable to Mineral Owner for Royalties Absent Privity
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Joint Operating Agreement
Royalty Owner
Working Interest
Third-Party Beneficiary
Privity of Estate
Royalty Disputes
San Antonio Court of Appeals Applies Double Fraction Presumption to 1956 Deed, Finds Floating Royalty Interest Rather Than Fixed 3/32 Interest
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Royalty Disputes
Double-Fraction
Texas Court of Appeals
Floating Royalty
Deed Construction
Title Disputes
Alpine Summit: Bankruptcy Court Applies § 544(a)(3) Strong-Arm Powers to Unrecorded Nominee Agreement Over Webb and Fayette County Oil and Gas Interests
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Working Interest
Title Disputes
Bankruptcy
Nominee Agreement
Strong-Arm Powers
Royalty Disputes
Western District of Texas Grants Partial Summary Judgment on Post-Production Cost Deductions in Dimmit County Royalty Dispute
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Netback Calculation
Post-Production Costs
Gross Proceeds
Royalty Owner
South Texas
Title Disputes
Texas Fourth Court Resolves Century-Old Deed Ambiguity: Fixed NPRI vs. Floating Mineral Interest in Webb County Ranch
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Presumed-Grant Doctrine
Mineral Interest
Title Disputes
NPRI
Webb County
Lease Litigation
Fourth Court Affirms $14.9 Million Breach Award Against Surface Owner in Water Purchase Agreement Dispute Over Access Rights
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Eagle Ford
Surface Use Agreement
Contract Interpretation
Water Purchase Agreement
Access Rights
Lease Litigation
Choice-of-Law Dispute Over Oilfield Indemnity Obligations: Texas MSA Prevails Over Louisiana Oilfield Indemnity Act
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Master Service Agreement
Choice of Law
Louisiana Oilfield Indemnity Act
Additional Insured
Indemnity Obligations
Lease Litigation
Austin Court of Appeals Affirms TCPA Dismissal of Tortious Interference Claims Over Top-Leasing Activities
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Texas Court of Appeals
Trespass-to-Try-Title
TCPA
Tortious Interference
Top Leasing
Lease Litigation
Business Court Dismisses Leaseholder's Third-Party Beneficiary Claim in Directional Drilling Dispute
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Business Court of Texas
Directional Drilling
Third-Party Beneficiary
Standing
Lease Litigation
Regulatory
Fifth Circuit Dismisses Challenge to LNG Export Terminal for Lack of Standing, Reinforcing Concrete Injury Requirements
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Fifth Circuit
NEPA
LNG Export
Article III Standing
Deepwater Port Act
Lease Litigation
District Court Rules for Pioneer in Winter Storm Uri Force Majeure Dispute Over Firm Gas Delivery Obligations
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Permian Basin
Force Majeure
NAESB Contract
Winter Storm Uri
Fifth Circuit
Lease Litigation
Eastern District of Texas Denies TRO Seeking to Block Gulf of Mexico Well Abandonment in Joint Operating Agreement Dispute
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Joint Operating Agreement
Gulf of Mexico
Preliminary Injunction
Irreparable Injury
Well Abandonment
Lease Litigation
Ninth Court Reverses Default Judgment in $1.3M Operating Agreement Dispute Over E-Filing Deadline Calculation Under Rule 21(f)(5)
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Default Judgment
Operating Agreement
Texas Civil Procedure
Plenary Power
E-Filing
Lease Litigation
Eastland Court Affirms Summary Judgment on Fraud Claim Where Oral Drilling Promises Contradicted Paid-Up Lease Terms
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Permian Basin
Paid-Up Lease
Expert Testimony
Fraud
Justifiable Reliance
Lease Litigation
Fourteenth Court Holds 'Mutually Agreed' Seismic Permit Provision Creates Enforceable Condition Precedent with No Duty to Negotiate
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Surface Damage
Texas Court of Appeals
Surface Use Agreement
Condition Precedent
Seismic Operations
Title Disputes
Beaumont Court Affirms Rule 91a Dismissal of Pro Se Plaintiff's Claims Based on Expired 1950 Oil and Gas Lease
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Title Disputes
Texas Court of Appeals
Rule 91a
Pro Se Litigation
Expired Lease
Lease Litigation
El Paso Court Construes Retained-Acreage Clause as Covenant, Not Special Limitation, in Permian Lease Termination Dispute
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Permian Basin
Habendum Clause
Special Limitation
Horizontal Drilling
Retained Acreage
Lease Litigation
Eastland Court Enforces Right of First Refusal for Saltwater Disposal Well Placement in Surface Use Agreement
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Right of First Refusal
Surface Damage
Texas Court of Appeals
Saltwater Disposal
Benefit-of-the-Bargain Damages
Lease Litigation
Business Court Strikes Down Third-Party Beneficiary Claims in Off-Lease Penetration Point Waiver Dispute
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Summary Judgment
Texas Business Court
Drilling Permits
Third-Party Beneficiary
Off-Lease Penetration
Lease Litigation
Western District of Texas Dismisses Fraudulent Inducement Claim Against Generator Manufacturer Based on Lack of Privity
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Permian Basin
Midstream
Fraudulent Inducement
Rule 9(b)
Privity of Contract
Lease Litigation
Business Court Enforces Letter Agreement Requiring Reciprocal Off-Lease Penetration Point Waivers Between Adjacent Operators
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Railroad Commission
Business Court of Texas
Letter Agreement
Contract Definiteness
Off-Lease Penetration Points
Solar Panel Sales Fraud Claims Survive Dismissal Despite Statute of Limitations Challenge in Texas Federal Court
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Texas
Statute of Limitations
DTPA
Rule 9(b)
Consumer Fraud
Royalty Disputes
District Court Grants Summary Judgment to Lender in Oklahoma Producer's Lien Priority Dispute Over Unpaid Hydrocarbon Sales
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Oklahoma
Midstream
Bankruptcy
Oil and Gas Owners' Lien Act
Lien Priority
Lease Litigation
Standing and Damages in Oil Purchaser Payment Dispute: District Court Rejects Dismissal Despite Third-Party Judgment Satisfaction
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Working Interest
Standing
Arkansas
Operator Liability
Payment Disputes
Regulatory
Western District of Texas Dismisses Securities Fraud Claims Against Energy Corporation Over Unauthorized Pre-Registration Trading
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Permian Basin
Securities Fraud
Rule 10b-5
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
Western District of Texas
Royalty Disputes
Corpus Christi Court Reverses $15.8 Million Royalty Judgment in DeWitt County Lease Interpretation Dispute Over Valuation Point and Post-Production Costs
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Post-Production Costs
Lease Interpretation
At the Well Valuation
Cost-Free Royalty
DeWitt County
M&A Litigation
Texas Business Court Divides Trade Secret Settlement Proceeds 50-50 Between Co-Developers Despite Funding Disparity
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Texas Business Court
Unjust Enrichment
Trade Secrets
Joint Ownership
Post-Bankruptcy Settlement
Lease Litigation
Texas Supreme Court Bars Fraud Claims When Paid-Up Lease Terms Contradict Oral Development Promises
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Texas Supreme Court
Fraudulent Inducement
Paid-Up Lease
Justifiable Reliance
Assignment Rights
M&A Litigation
Southern District of Texas Grants Class Certification in Anadarko Securities Fraud Case After Fifth Circuit Remand on Expert Testimony Standards
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Class Certification
Fifth Circuit
Expert Testimony
Securities Fraud
Gulf of Mexico
Regulatory
Fifth Circuit Applies Louisiana Oilfield Anti-Indemnity Act to Offshore Platform Fire Watch Contract, Finding No Maritime Nexus
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Fifth Circuit
OCSLA
Indemnity Provisions
Louisiana Oilfield Anti-Indemnity Act
Maritime Law
Title Disputes
Sixth Court Reverses Summary Judgment in Tax Foreclosure Dispute Over Sheriff's Deed Ambiguity in Harrison County Mineral Interests
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Title Disputes
Tax Foreclosure
Sheriff's Deed
Mineral Severance
Harrison County
Royalty Disputes
Tyler Court Affirms Jury Verdict on Natural Resources Code Disclosure Requirements in East Texas Royalty Dispute
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Post-Production Costs
East Texas
Royalty Owner
Texas Natural Resources Code
Disclosure Requirements
First Court Affirms Denial of Summary Judgment on Statutory Indemnity Defense Under Texas Health & Safety Code § 752.008 in Electrocution Death Case
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Summary Judgment
Statutory Indemnity
Independent Contractor Liability
Scope of Employment
Texas Health & Safety Code
Title Disputes
Beaumont Court Affirms Private Ownership of Subsidence-Submerged Land Over State's Presumptive Title Claim
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Gulf Coast
Title Disputes
Texas General Land Office
Subsidence
Submerged Lands
Environmental
Fifth Circuit Limits EPA's Authority Under Clean Air Act Good Neighbor Provision in Multi-State SIP Disapproval Challenge
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Fifth Circuit
Clean Air Act
EPA Regulatory Authority
State Implementation Plans
Texas Oil & Gas Association
Lease Litigation
First Court Reverses Severance of Interwoven Midstream Cost Inflation Claims in Williston Basin JOA Dispute
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Joint Operating Agreement
Working Interest
Midstream
Williston Basin
Rule 91a
Economic Loss Rule
Severance
Environmental
Supreme Court Expands Federal Officer Removal for WWII-Era Coastal Operations Under SLCRMA
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Federal Officer Removal
Fifth Circuit
SLCRMA
Coastal Zone Management
WWII Production Contracts
Lease Litigation
Texas Business Court Distinguishes Conditional Assignment from Agreement to Transfer in Eagle Ford Farmout Dispute
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Farmout Agreement
Fee Simple Determinable
Eagle Ford
Conditional Assignment
Reversionary Interest
Royalty Disputes
Texas Supreme Court Clarifies 'Free of Cost' Language Does Not Shield NPRI from Post-Production Costs When Royalty Valued at Wellhead
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Netback Calculation
Post-Production Costs
Texas Supreme Court
Royalty Valuation
NPRI
Lease Litigation
Fourteenth Court Reverses Want-of-Prosecution Dismissal Where Contractor Awaited Whitney Certificate for Service on Secretary of State
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Want of Prosecution
Rule 165a
Whitney Certificate
Mineral Lien
Service of Process
Harris County
Lease Litigation
Midland Court Addresses Fraudulent Inducement and Agency Theory in $5.58 Million Generator Equipment Dispute
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Permian Basin
Midstream
Fraudulent Inducement
Rule 9(b)
Agency Theory
Royalty Disputes
El Paso Court of Appeals Affirms Take-Nothing Judgment in Bad-Faith Washout Case Involving Reeves County ORRI Termination
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Overriding Royalty Interest
Reeves County
Lease Termination
Bad-Faith Washout
Surrender Clause
Lease Litigation
Eastland Court Denies Disqualification in $534 Million Permian Basin Top Lease Dispute After Defense Counsel Contacted Former In-House Counsel
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Permian Basin
Tortious Interference
Attorney-Client Privilege
Disqualification
Top Leases
Royalty Disputes
Texas Supreme Court Overrules Mapco, Holds Surface Estate Owns Salt Cavern Voids and Clarifies In-Kind Royalty Obligations
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Texas Supreme Court
Mineral Servitude
Surface Damage
In-Kind Royalty
Solution Mining
Environmental
Fifth Circuit Remands Louisiana Coastal Erosion Cases After Supreme Court Finds Federal Officer Removal Plausible
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Louisiana
Federal Officer Removal
Fifth Circuit
Coastal Erosion
Environmental
M&A Litigation
Business Court Enforces NAESB Transaction Confirmations in Natural Gas Force Majeure Dispute
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Force Majeure
NAESB
Business Court of Texas
Natural Gas Trading
Transaction Confirmations
Environmental
Fifth Circuit Upholds EPA Disapproval of Texas Ozone SIP Under Clean Air Act Good Neighbor Provision
Joel Reese | Jul 20, 2026
Fifth Circuit
Clean Air Act
EPA Regulatory Authority
State Implementation Plan
Ozone Emissions
Royalty Disputes
Texas Appellate Courts Apply Heritage Resources to Defeat 'Free of Cost' Addenda in Market-Value-at-the-Well Leases
Joel Reese | Jul 14, 2026
Market Value at the Well
Netback Calculation
Royalty Interest
Post-Production Costs
Heritage Resources
M&A Litigation
Delaware Chancery Holds Purchase Price Adjustment Does Not Bar Indemnification for Same Breach Absent Exclusivity Language
Joel Reese | Jul 14, 2026
E&P Acquisition
Delaware Court of Chancery
M&A Indemnification
Purchase Price Adjustment
Anti-Duplication Provisions
Regulatory
Colorado ECMC Approves 85% Penalty Reduction for Six Operators in P&A Data Falsification Cases Amid $1B Financial Assurance Shortfall
Joel Reese | Jul 14, 2026
Plugging and Abandonment
Financial Assurance
Colorado
Regulatory Enforcement
Civil Penalties
Pipeline & Easement
Lampasas County Jury Awards $7 Million in Pipeline Condemnation—330 Times Matterhorn's Offer—Highlighting Severance Damage Valuation Disputes
Joel Reese | Jul 14, 2026
Eminent Domain
Condemnation Valuation
Pipeline Easement
Texas
Severance Damages
Pipeline & Easement
Supreme Court to Resolve Circuit Split on Attorney's Fee Recovery in Natural Gas Act Eminent Domain Proceedings
Joel Reese | Jul 14, 2026
Eminent Domain
Pipeline Easements
Attorneys' Fees
Natural Gas Act
Fifth Amendment Just Compensation
Pipeline & Easement
Bexar County Court Enters $393M Judgment Enforcing Winter Storm Uri Spot Contracts Against Unconscionability Defense
Joel Reese | Jul 14, 2026
Winter Storm Uri
ERCOT
Spot Market Contracts
Unconscionability Defense
Natural Gas Supply Agreements
Title Disputes
Texas Supreme Court Defines Unauthorized Practice of Law for Title Companies: Hexter Title Establishes Boundaries for Abstract and Title Insurance Services
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Texas Supreme Court
Title Disputes
Unauthorized Practice of Law
Title Insurance
Mineral Conveyances
Regulatory
Alaska Supreme Court Limits Scope of Cumulative Impact Review for Mining Project Permits Under Water Use Act and ROWLA
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Alaska
Water Rights
Pipeline Right-of-Way
Cumulative Impact Analysis
Mining
Royalty Disputes
Texas Supreme Court Carves Out Unjust Enrichment Exception to Division Order Estoppel Rule
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Texas Supreme Court
Royalty Owner
Unjust Enrichment
Division Orders
Title Opinion
Lease Litigation
Fourteenth Court Enforces 'Mutually Agreed' Seismic Permit Requirement as Condition Precedent, Rejecting Implied Duty to Negotiate
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Texas Court of Appeals
Surface Use Agreement
Condition Precedent
Seismic Operations
Prevention Doctrine
Texas Supreme Court Construes 'Pleasure Automobile' Exclusivity Language in Double Indemnity Provision Against Jeep Classification
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Texas Supreme Court
Contract Interpretation
Insurance Coverage
Vehicle Classification
Regulatory
Texas Business Court Holds Legislative Reduction of Amount-in-Controversy Threshold Constitutes 'Fact' Permitting Second Removal
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Permian Basin
Texas Business Court
Delaware Basin
Removal Jurisdiction
Water Services
Lease Litigation
Business Court Enforces Letter Agreement Requiring Competitor to Waive Objections to Off-Lease Drilling Applications
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Railroad Commission
Texas Business Court
Off-Lease Drilling
Letter Agreement
Contract Definiteness
First Court Holds Comparative Indemnity Unenforceable Without Express Language in Refinery Contractor Agreement
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Texas Court of Appeals
Indemnity
Express Negligence Doctrine
Refinery Operations
Contractor Liability
Lease Litigation
Fifth Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Fraud Claims Against Oil and Gas Joint Venture Operator After Dry Hole
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Fiduciary Duty
Texas Court of Appeals
Fraudulent Inducement
Joint Venture
Managing Venturer
Title Disputes
Eastland Court Reverses Title Judgment Based on Trespass-to-Try-Title Pleading Defects for Nonpossessory Mineral Interests
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Royalty Owner
Mineral Interest
Title Disputes
Trespass-to-Try-Title
Declaratory Judgment
Lease Litigation
Eastland Court Bars Lessor Self-Help on Pipeline Burial Disputes, Reverses $30,000 Damage Award
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Pipeline Easement
Lease Interpretation
Surface Damage
Self-Help Remedies
Texas Courts
Lease Litigation
Fourteenth Court Enforces 'Mutually Agreed' Seismic Permit Requirement as Condition Precedent, Rejecting Operator's Duty-to-Negotiate Theory
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Texas Court of Appeals
Surface Use Agreement
Condition Precedent
Seismic Operations
Contract Interpretation
Royalty Disputes
Third Circuit Vacates Summary Judgment on Royalty Withholding Claim, Holds Factual Issues Preclude Judgment on Division Order and Payment History
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Joint Operating Agreement
Royalty Owner
Division Orders
Cotenancy Rights
Third Circuit
Lease Litigation
Texas Business Court Holds Force Majeure Clause Excused Spot Market Purchases and Buybacks After Winter Storm Uri
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Texas Business Court
Force Majeure
Winter Storm Uri
NAESB
Natural Gas Marketing
Title Disputes
Texas Appellate Court Affirms Partition in Kind Under Uniform Partition of Heirs' Property Act Despite Unclean Hands and Easement Claims
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Pipeline Easement
Partition
Uniform Partition of Heirs' Property Act
Co-Tenancy
Texas Property Code
Title Disputes
Texas Supreme Court Overrules Mapco, Holds Surface Estate Owns Salt Cavern Storage Rights Absent Express Agreement
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Texas Supreme Court
Mineral Servitude
Surface Damage
Salt Dome
Subsurface Storage Rights
Regulatory
Railroad Commission Seeks $6.95 Million from Disposal Well Operator for Alleged Induced Blowout at Legacy Well
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Permian Basin
Saltwater Disposal Well
Legacy Well Liability
Railroad Commission Enforcement
Induced Subsurface Pressure
Title Disputes
Corporate Practice of Law Doctrine Applied to Title Companies Preparing Conveyancing Documents
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Title Disputes
Unauthorized Practice of Law
Conveyancing
Title Insurance
Corporate Practice Doctrine
Title Disputes
Post-Execution Mineral Reservation Invalidated: O'Neal v. Ball and the Limits of Deed Alteration
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Texas
Statute of Limitations
Mineral Reservation
Deed Alteration
Fraudulent Conveyance
Pipeline & Easement
Seventh Circuit: Pipeline Easement Challenges Require Breach of Express Terms, Not Mere Reasonableness Arguments
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Pipeline Easement
Easement Interpretation
Operation and Maintenance Provisions
Summary Judgment
Seventh Circuit
Lease Litigation
El Paso Court Rejects Common-Law Bad-Faith Washout Claims and Narrows Lease Surrender 'Good Faith' Obligations
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Permian Basin
Overriding Royalty Interest
Anti-Washout Clause
Lease Surrender
Reeves County
Royalty Disputes
Texas Supreme Court Holds "Free of Cost Forever" Language Subject to Postproduction Cost Deductions Under Market Value at the Well Framework
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Market Value at the Well
Royalty Interest
Texas Supreme Court
Postproduction Costs
Nonparticipating Royalty Interest
Royalty Disputes
Oklahoma Supreme Court Bars Post-Production Deductions on Affiliate Wellhead Sales Under Gross Proceeds Act
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Market Value at the Well
Royalty Interest
Post-Production Costs
STACK Play
Gross Proceeds
Title Disputes
Rattikin Title Co. and the Unauthorized Practice of Law: Limits on Title Company Document Preparation in Oil & Gas Transactions
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Texas
Title Disputes
Unauthorized Practice of Law
Title Insurance
Document Preparation
Texas Court Holds Unauthorized Practice of Law Prohibits Notaries from Drafting Conveyances and Wills Regardless of Compensation
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Texas
Unauthorized Practice of Law
Title Opinions
Conveyancing
Landmen
Lease Litigation
Ohio Supreme Court Holds Oil-and-Gas Landmen Must Be Licensed Real Estate Brokers to Recover Compensation for Lease Negotiation
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Landman Licensing
Real Estate Broker
Ohio
Lease Negotiation
Quantum Meruit
Debt Collector's Mechanic's Lien Practice Constitutes Unauthorized Practice of Law in Construction Industry Collections
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Texas Court of Appeals
Mechanic's Lien
Unauthorized Practice of Law
Construction Industry
Debt Collection
Environmental
Fifth Circuit Upholds Louisiana's Use of SILs and BACT Determinations in LNG Export Facility Permitting
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
LNG
Fifth Circuit
BACT
Clean Air Act
NAAQS
Environmental
Fifth Circuit Upholds TCEQ's BACT Determination for LNG Facility After Texas Supreme Court Clarifies 'Operational' Requirement
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Fifth Circuit
BACT
LNG Export Terminal
PSD Permit
Clean Air Act
D.C. Circuit Invalidates CEQ's NEPA Regulations on Separation-of-Powers Grounds, Vacates Air Tour Management Plan
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Administrative Law
NEPA
Regulatory
D.C. Circuit
Separation of Powers
Lease Litigation
Co-Tenant Drilling Does Not Satisfy Lessee's Unless Clause Obligations: Hughes v. Cantwell
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Habendum Clause
Co-Tenancy
Delay Rentals
Fractional Interests
West Texas
Lease Litigation
Co-Tenant Production Cannot Extend Bottom Lease Under Habendum Clause: Cimarex v. Anadarko
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Habendum Clause
Lease Termination
Texas Court of Appeals
Co-Tenancy
Top Lease
Lease Litigation
Fifth Circuit Holds Co-Tenant Drilling Does Not Satisfy Unless Clause for Separate Undivided Interest Lease
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Co-Tenancy
Fifth Circuit
Unless Clause
Undivided Interest
Delay Rental
Regulatory
Texas Supreme Court Upholds PUC's Emergency Scarcity-Pricing Orders During Winter Storm Uri
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Texas Supreme Court
ERCOT
Wholesale Electricity Markets
Emergency Rulemaking
Scarcity Pricing
Lease Litigation
Fifth Circuit Clarifies Force Majeure Standards in Natural Gas Sales Contracts After Winter Storm Uri
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Permian Basin
Force Majeure
Winter Storm Uri
Fifth Circuit
Natural Gas Sales Contracts
Lease Litigation
Legal Malpractice and Collateral Estoppel: When Arbitration Awards Don't Bind Subsequent Litigation Over Contract Interpretation
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Limitation of Liability
Lost Profits
Legal Malpractice
Arbitration
Collateral Estoppel
Lease Litigation
Texas Supreme Court Clarifies Notice Requirements and Non-Consent Penalties Under AAPL Form 610 Operating Agreement
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Joint Operating Agreement
Texas Supreme Court
Working Interest
AAPL Form 610
Non-Consent Penalty
Limitation of Liability Clauses vs. DTPA No-Waiver Provision: When Contractual Caps Survive Consumer Protection Statutes
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Express Negligence Doctrine
Limitation of Liability
DTPA
Indemnity Provisions
Commercial Contracts
Royalty Disputes
Texas Supreme Court Clarifies Third-Party Beneficiary Status and Privity of Estate in Joint Operating Agreements
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Joint Operating Agreement
Texas Supreme Court
Third-Party Beneficiary
Privity of Estate
Non-Consent Provisions
Royalty Disputes
Eastland Court of Appeals Holds Mineral Owner Cannot Recover Royalties from Non-Operator Party to Joint Operating Agreement Absent Privity
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Joint Operating Agreement
Royalty Owner
Texas Court of Appeals
Third-Party Beneficiary
Privity of Estate
Lease Litigation
Western District of Texas Applies JOA Non-Consent Penalties to Multi-Section Horizontal Wells Traversing Contract Area
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Joint Operating Agreement
Permian Basin
Horizontal Wells
AAPL Form
Non-Consent Penalties
Pipeline & Easement
Fort Worth Court Reverses JOA Breach Finding: Operator's Failure to Invoice Precludes Recovery for Statutory Lien Expenses
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Joint Operating Agreement
Texas Court of Appeals
Midstream
COPAS
Statutory Lien
Pipeline & Easement
Texas Supreme Court Reverses $6.1 Million Award in Natural Gas Transportation Contract Dispute Over Balancing Services
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Texas Supreme Court
Midstream
Contract Interpretation
Lost Profits
Firm Transportation Agreement
Pipeline & Easement
Eastland Court Applies Statute of Frauds to Gas Processing Agreement, Enforces Damage Limitation Clause Against Lost Profit Claims
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Statute of Frauds
Texas Court of Appeals
Midstream
Damage Limitation Clause
Gas Processing Agreement
Royalty Disputes
Fifth Circuit Holds Interior's Cash-for-Kind Royalty Switch Requires Notice-and-Comment Rulemaking
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Royalty Disputes
Fifth Circuit
Equitable Recoupment
OCSLA
Administrative Procedure Act
Risk-of-Loss Provisions in War-Zone Service Contracts: Accrual, Affirmative Defenses, and Termination-for-Convenience Claims
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Statute of Limitations
Breach of Contract
Affirmative Defense
Termination for Convenience
Risk of Loss
Commercial Reasonableness and Limitations Defenses in Secured Party Deficiency Actions: Christian v. First National Bank
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Statute of Limitations
Deficiency Judgment
Commercial Reasonableness
UCC Article 9
Secured Transactions
Title Disputes
Eastland Court Reverses Enforcement of Mediated Settlement Agreement Over Ambiguous JOA Terms
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Joint Operating Agreement
Title Disputes
Midland County
Mediated Settlement Agreement
Contract Ambiguity
M&A Litigation
Fort Worth Court of Appeals Voids $950,000 Crane County Asset Sale for Lack of Consideration Due to Buyer's Unfettered Discretion
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Asset Purchase Agreement
M&A Litigation
Texas Court of Appeals
Consideration
Specific Performance
Royalty Disputes
Eastland Court of Appeals Construes Double-Fraction Royalty Reservation as Floating Interest, Rejects Multiple Estoppel Defenses
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Texas Supreme Court
Double-Fraction
Royalty Owner
Floating Royalty
Division Order Estoppel
Lease Litigation
Fourth Court Addresses Subject Matter Jurisdiction Over Hypothetical JOA Declarations and Cross-Netting of Multi-Agreement Obligations
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Joint Operating Agreement
Eagle Ford
Subject Matter Jurisdiction
UDJA
Cross-Netting
Royalty Disputes
Texas Supreme Court Holds Market Value Royalty Clause Controls Even When Lessee Realizes Above-Market Price Under Long-Term Contract
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Texas Supreme Court
Market Value Royalty
Implied Covenant to Market
Gas Purchase Agreement
Royalty Calculation
Lease Litigation
Tyler Court of Appeals Addresses Subsurface Trespass, Expert Damages Testimony, and Bad Faith Pooling Claims
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Subsurface Trespass
Texas Court of Appeals
Expert Testimony
Pooling Authority
Implied Covenants
Voluntary Payment Rule
Royalty Disputes
Texas Supreme Court Limits Working Interest Profit Sharing to Oil Only, Rejecting Extrinsic Evidence of Course of Dealing
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Texas Supreme Court
Royalty Owner
Working Interest
Parol Evidence Rule
Course of Dealing
Royalty Disputes
Texas Supreme Court Rejects Fraudulent Concealment Defense Where Publicly Available Information Could Have Revealed Royalty Underpayments
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Texas Supreme Court
Royalty Owner
Statute of Limitations
Fraudulent Concealment
Discovery Rule
Lease Litigation
Texas Supreme Court Clarifies Recoupment Defense and Statute of Limitations in Lease Breach Claims
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Texas Supreme Court
Statute of Limitations
Lease Litigation
Recoupment
Liquidated Damages
Royalty Disputes
Acknowledgment of Debt Tolls Statute of Limitations in Gas Royalty Nonpayment Case
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Royalty Disputes
Texas Court of Appeals
Statute of Limitations
Acknowledgment of Debt
Gas Royalties
Lease Litigation
Business Court Remands Produced Water Disposal Dispute Over Amount-in-Controversy Threshold
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Removal Jurisdiction
Produced Water
Midstream
Business Court of Texas
Amount in Controversy
Royalty Disputes
Texas Business Court Clarifies Amount-in-Controversy Standard for Saltwater Disposal Royalty Disputes
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Permian Basin
Midstream
Saltwater Disposal
Business Court Jurisdiction
Amount in Controversy
Lease Litigation
Thirteenth Court Reverses Summary Judgment on JOA Operator's Duty to Commence Drilling Operations After All Parties Consent
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Joint Operating Agreement
South Texas
Working Interest
AAPL Form
Operator Duties
Title Disputes
Seventh Court Bars Riparian Landowners' Inverse Condemnation Claims on Statute of Limitations Grounds in Canadian River Reliction Dispute
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Inverse Condemnation
Riverbed Minerals
Statute of Limitations
Canadian River
Reliction
Texas General Land Office
Environmental
Texas Business Court Applies Mandatory Real Property Venue Rule to Saltwater Disposal Well Contamination Dispute
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Permian Basin
Texas Business Court
Surface Damage
Saltwater Disposal
Mandatory Venue
Environmental
Fifth Circuit Remand Clarifies 'Compulsory by Law' Standard for Marine P&I Wreck Removal Coverage After Hurricane Ida
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Fifth Circuit
Marine Insurance
P&I Coverage
Hurricane Ida
Wreck Removal
Title Disputes
Austin Court of Appeals Affirms TCPA Dismissal of Operator's Claims Against Competitor Seeking Top Leases in Bastrop County
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Texas Railroad Commission
Trespass-to-Try-Title
TCPA
Top Lease
Tortious Interference
Lease Litigation
Business Court Bars Third-Party Beneficiary Damages in Off-Lease Penetration Point Waiver Dispute
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Texas Business Court
Contract Interpretation
Drilling Permits
Third-Party Beneficiary
Off-Lease Penetration
Lease Litigation
Texas Business Court Denies Third-Party Beneficiary Standing to Leaseholder in Horizontal Drilling Waiver Dispute
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Railroad Commission
Texas Business Court
Horizontal Drilling
Third-Party Beneficiary
Standing
Lease Litigation
Business Court Jurisdiction Upheld Over $10 Million Directional Drilling Waiver Agreement
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Business Court of Texas
Directional Drilling
Subject Matter Jurisdiction
Lease Operations
Qualified Transaction
Lease Litigation
Thirteenth Court Affirms Summary Judgment on Communitization Agreement Dispute Over Net Revenue Interest Calculations in Karnes County Unit
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Joint Operating Agreement
Eagle Ford
Net Revenue Interest
Communitization Agreement
BLM
Karnes County
Lease Litigation
Indiana Court Applies Rule of Capture to Dismiss Coal Mine Methane Conversion Claims
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Trespass
Rule of Capture
Coal Mine Methane
Conversion
Indiana
Lease Litigation
Fifth Circuit Limits Post-Confirmation Bankruptcy Jurisdiction Over Midstream Restructuring Disputes
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Midstream
Fifth Circuit
Executory Contracts
Chapter 11
Post-Confirmation Jurisdiction
Pipeline & Easement
Dallas Court of Appeals Reverses $37.8 Million Award in Permian Basin Crude Oil Transportation Dispute Over WTL Service and Suezmax Vessel Access
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Permian Basin
Midstream
Ship-or-Pay
Tariff Incorporation
Terminal Services
Regulatory
Fifth Circuit Bars Surety's Subrogation Claims Against Prior OCS Leaseholders for Decommissioning Costs
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Fifth Circuit
OCSLA
Decommissioning Obligations
Surety Bonds
Legal Subrogation
Regulatory
Texas Court of Appeals Addresses Dealer's Heavy Equipment Inventory Taxation and Section 25.25 Appraisal Roll Corrections After EXLP Leasing
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Ad Valorem Tax
Dealer's Heavy Equipment Inventory
EXLP Leasing
Tax Code Section 25.25
Appraisal Roll Corrections
Lease Litigation
Thirteenth Court Grants Mandamus on Venue Selection Clause in Eagle Ford Assignment Dispute
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Eagle Ford
Venue Selection Clause
Major Transaction
Reversionary Rights
Texas Mandatory Venue
Pipeline & Easement
Bankruptcy Court Allows Rejection of Gas Gathering Agreement While Preserving Real Property Covenants
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
Gas Gathering Agreement
Executory Contracts
Covenants Running with the Land
Minimum Volume Commitment
Lease Litigation
Bankruptcy Court Holds Texas Chapter 56 Mineral Lien Claimants Not Entitled to Chapter 67 Withholding Protections
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Texas Property Code
Chapter 56 Mineral Liens
Chapter 67 Withholding
Oilfield Service Providers
Bankruptcy
Title Disputes
Eastland Court Affirms TCPA Dismissal of Slander-of-Title Claim Based on Railroad Commission Drilling Permit Applications
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Railroad Commission
TCPA
Slander of Title
Drilling Permits
Midland County
Title Disputes
Beaumont Court Affirms Denial of Anti-SLAPP Motion in TUFTA-Based Fraudulent Transfer Litigation
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Title Disputes
TUFTA
Texas Citizens Participation Act
Fraudulent Transfer
Abuse of Process
Lease Litigation
Fourth Court Narrows TCPA Application in Oil and Gas Drainage Dispute: Implied Covenant Claims Survive Anti-SLAPP Motion
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Railroad Commission
Eagle Ford
Implied Covenant to Protect from Drainage
TCPA
Rule 37 Exception
Lease Litigation
Fifth Circuit Enforces Mutual Waiver of Consequential Damages in Offshore Drilling Contract Despite Gross Negligence Claims
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Fifth Circuit
Offshore Drilling
Consequential Damages
Gross Negligence
Maritime Contract
Lease Litigation
Choice-of-Law Analysis Voids Oilfield Indemnity Clause: Texas Federal Court Applies New Mexico's Absolute Anti-Indemnity Rule Despite Texas Choice-of-Law Provision
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Master Service Agreement
Oilfield Indemnity
Choice of Law
New Mexico
Anti-Indemnity Statute
Pipeline & Easement
Tyler Court of Appeals Reverses Summary Judgment on Pipeline Easement Liability After Unauthorized Assignment Voided Transfer
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Pipeline Easement
Midstream
Anti-Assignment Clause
Environmental Liability
Texas Railroad Commission
Lease Litigation
Fifth Circuit Clarifies Insurance Floor and Ceiling in Oilfield Mutual Indemnity Agreements Under TOAIA
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Fifth Circuit
TOAIA
Mutual Indemnity
Master Service Agreement
Oilfield Insurance
Lease Litigation
Fifth Circuit Reverses Dismissal of Duty-to-Defend Claim, Holds Contractual Settlement Negotiations Constitute 'Alternative Dispute Resolution Proceeding' Under CGL Policy
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Fifth Circuit
Duty to Defend
CGL Policy
Oilfield Services
Master Services Agreement
M&A Litigation
Texas Court of Appeals Affirms Expert Exclusion and No-Evidence Summary Judgment in $4.8 Million Texas Panhandle Working Interest Dispute
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
M&A Litigation
Working Interest
Expert Testimony
Texas Panhandle
Valuation Methodology
Lease Litigation
Eastland Court Enforces Right of First Refusal for Saltwater Disposal Wells in Surface Use Agreement
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Right of First Refusal
Surface Damage
Texas Court of Appeals
Surface Use Agreement
Saltwater Disposal
Lease Litigation
Eastland Court Reverses Trial Court's Refusal to Try Surface Damage Claim Despite Fair Notice Pleading Standard
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Surface Damage
Fair Notice Pleading
Texas Lease Litigation
Usury
Pro Se Litigants
Lease Litigation
Eastland Court Affirms Summary Judgment on Fraud Claim Where Lease Terms Contradicted Alleged Oral Drilling Commitments
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Surface Damage
Paid-Up Lease
Expert Testimony
Fraud
Justifiable Reliance
Title Disputes
Eighth Court Holds Post-Closing Corrective Assignments Unenforceable Against BFP in Reeves County Overriding Royalty Dispute
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Overriding Royalty Interest
Reeves County
Bona Fide Purchaser
Scrivener's Error
Net Revenue Interest
Royalty Disputes
Fifth Circuit Applies Equitable Recoupment to Bar Successor Royalty Owner's Claims for Overpayments Made to Predecessor
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Royalty Owner
Unjust Enrichment
Fifth Circuit
Equitable Recoupment
Eagle Ford
Lease Litigation
District Court Dismisses State Land Conveyance Claims Against Diamondback, Holds Texas Relinquishment Act Inapplicable to 1948 Land Sales Act Conveyance
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Permian Basin
Texas Land Sales Act
Relinquishment Act
Implied Covenant to Pool
State Land Conveyance
Lease Litigation
El Paso Court Clarifies Retained-Acreage Clause as Covenant, Not Special Limitation, in Permian Lease Dispute
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Permian Basin
Special Limitation
Retained Acreage Clause
Horizontal Drilling
Quasi-Estoppel
Lease Litigation
Texas Supreme Court Reinforces Parol Evidence Bar in Mineral Lease Fraud Claims
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Texas Supreme Court
Parol Evidence
Fraudulent Inducement
Paid-Up Lease
Barrow-Shaver
Royalty Disputes
Fort Worth Court of Appeals Affirms Wellhead Valuation Point in Barnett Shale Gas Royalty Dispute, Rejecting City's 'Market-Value-Plus' Theory
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Barnett Shale
Netback Calculation
Post-Production Costs
Texas Court of Appeals
Wellhead Valuation
Title Disputes
Eastland Court Holds Deed of Trust Excluded Mineral Estate Based on Partition Deed and Express Reservation Language
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Mineral Estate
Texas Court of Appeals
Executive Rights
Deed of Trust
Partition Deed
Title Disputes
Eastland Court Clarifies Property Description Requirements and Depth Limitation Construction in ORRI Assignment Dispute
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Title Disputes
Statute of Frauds
ORRI
Property Description
Depth Limitations
Lease Litigation
Fifth Circuit Clarifies Force Majeure Obligations and Allocation Practices in Natural Gas Marketing Contracts After Winter Storm
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Force Majeure
Winter Storm Uri
Natural Gas Marketing
Fifth Circuit
Usage of Trade
Title Disputes
El Paso Court of Appeals Construes 1950 Mineral Deed Reservation: Non-Participating Royalty Interest vs. Stripped Mineral Interest
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Texas Supreme Court
Non-Participating Royalty Interest
Title Disputes
Mineral Deed Construction
Reservation Clause
Royalty Disputes
Texas Supreme Court Reverses on 'Free of Cost Forever' NPRI Clause, Permits Post-Production Cost Deductions in Webb County Dispute
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Netback Calculation
Post-Production Costs
Texas Supreme Court
Royalty Valuation
NPRI
Lease Litigation
Texas Supreme Court Rejects Personal Production Requirement in Passive-Voice Habendum Clauses
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Texas Supreme Court
Habendum Clause
Working Interest
Lease Termination
Anti-Forfeiture Rule
Title Disputes
Texas Supreme Court Rebuts Double-Fraction Presumption in 1951 Mineral Deed, Holds 1/128 Interest Fixed Despite Van Dyke Framework
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Royalty Interest
Texas Supreme Court
Double-Fraction
Mineral Deed Interpretation
Van Dyke Presumption
Lease Litigation
Texas Supreme Court Holds Produced Water Belongs to Mineral Estate Absent Express Reservation
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Texas Supreme Court
Permian Basin
Lease Construction
Produced Water
Mineral Estate
Surface Estate
M&A Litigation
Texas Business Court Enforces Drag-Along Rights in PE-Backed E&P Sale, Rejects Enhanced Fiduciary Duty Claims
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Texas Business Court
M&A Litigation
Drag-Along Rights
PE-Backed Acquisition
Waterfall Allocation
Regulatory
TCEQ Proposed Rulemaking on Treated Produced Water Land Application Raises Arbitrary-and-Capricious and Groundwater Protection Challenges
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Produced Water Disposal
TCEQ Rulemaking
Texas Water Code
Arbitrary and Capricious Review
Groundwater Protection
Lease Litigation
Texas Business Court Holds Farmout Agreement Conveyed Fee Simple Determinable Interest Immediately, Rules Retained-Acreage Provisions Are Special Limitations
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Farmout Agreement
Fee Simple Determinable
Special Limitation
Eagle Ford Shale
Back-In Interest
Royalty Disputes
Federal Claims Court Holds Stigler Act Imposes No Duty on Interior Attorneys to Object to State Court Lease Approvals for Restricted Indian Allotments
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Eastern Oklahoma
Indian Allotment
Takings Claim
Breach of Trust
Mineral Interest
Pipeline & Easement
Texas Business Court to Rule on $432.7M Midstream Breach Claim Turning on Pass-Through Entity Damages Allocation
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Texas Business Court
Midstream Transportation
Contract Damages
Y-Grade NGL
Corporate Structure Defense
Royalty Disputes
Tenth Circuit: Operator Payment Records Satisfy Administrative Feasibility for Royalty Class Certification Without Title Searches
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Royalty Interest
Post-Production Costs
Hugoton Gas Field
Class Certification
Administrative Feasibility
Royalty Disputes
Texas Supreme Court Lets Stand Ruling That Affiliate Wellhead Sales Render Anti-Deduction Lease Language Surplusage
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Market Value at the Well
Royalty Interest
Anti-Deduction Clause
Heritage v. NationsBank
Texas
M&A Litigation
Texas Business Court Splits Eagle Ford Trade Secret Settlement Proceeds Based on Joint Development, Orders Expense Reimbursement Despite Post-Bankruptcy Settlement
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Texas Business Court
Eagle Ford Shale
Trade Secret Misappropriation
Unjust Enrichment
Bankruptcy Reorganization
Lease Litigation
Fifth Circuit Upholds Lease Grace Periods During COVID-19 Production Curtailments and Affirms Bankruptcy Court Jurisdiction Over Lease-Termination Disputes
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
South Texas
Habendum Clause
Cessation of Production
Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
Administrative Expense Claims
Royalty Disputes
Tenth Circuit: Settlement Agreement Trumps ONRR Regulations in $2.8 Million Federal Lease Gas Treatment Deduction Dispute
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Market Value at the Well
Administrative Law
Federal Lease Royalties
Gas Treatment Deductions
ONRR
Royalty Disputes
Texas Supreme Court Limits Lessee Duties in Royalty Calculations, Holds Market Price Determined by Arm's-Length Sales
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Market Value at the Well
Netback Calculation
Royalty Interest
Texas Supreme Court
Fiduciary Duty
Lease Litigation
Texas Business Court Rules Farmout Agreements Convey Immediate Fee Simple Determinable Interest, Limits Payout to Earning Wells
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Texas Business Court
Farmout Agreement
Fee Simple Determinable
Special Limitation
Payout Calculation
Lease Litigation
Texas Supreme Court Vests Produced Water Ownership in Operators Under Silent Leases
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Delaware Basin
Produced Water Rights
Lease Construction
Waste Stream Ownership
Horizontal Wells
Lease Litigation
Texas Supreme Court Finds Express Anti-Drainage Covenant Ambiguous on Non-Adjoining Tract Offset Well Obligations
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Texas Supreme Court
Express Covenant to Protect Against Drainage
Offset Well Obligation
Lease Interpretation
Implied Covenant
M&A Litigation
Texas Business Court Enforces Survival Period Deadline, Holds Assumed Liabilities Provisions Do Not Create Independent Indemnification Rights in Pipeline Asset Sale
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Midstream M&A
Indemnification Survival Period
Asset Purchase Agreement
Texas Business Court
Gulf Coast Pipeline Assets
Regulatory
Federal Court Orders $109 Million Refund for Wyoming BLM Leases Invalidated Under NEPA, Permits Continued Production from Nine Wells
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
BLM Lease Sales
NEPA Compliance
Wyoming
Federal Lease Invalidation
Administrative Law
Pipeline & Easement
First District Considers Whether Polymer-Grade Propylene Qualifies as 'Oil Product' Under Texas Eminent Domain Statute
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Eminent Domain
Pipeline Easements
Common Carrier
Gulf Coast
Statutory Construction
Pipeline & Easement
Fourteenth Court Reverses Summary Judgment on Force Majeure Defense in $100 Million Winter Storm Uri Gas Repurchase Dispute
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Force Majeure
NAESB Contract
Winter Storm Uri
Midstream
LNG
Title Disputes
Alcott v. 1893 Oil and Gas: Statute of Frauds Bars Mineral Interest Claim Based on Ambiguous 1922 Deed Description
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Title Disputes
Statute of Frauds
Mineral Deed
Chain of Title
Texas Court of Appeals
Pipeline & Easement
First District Affirms NGL Pipeline's Eminent Domain Authority and Valuation Award After Landowner Fails to Present Competing Evidence
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Permian Basin
Eminent Domain
Common Carrier Pipeline
Condemnation Valuation
Texas Natural Resources Code §111.002
Environmental
Crane County Landowner Challenges Railroad Commission Injection Well Guidelines in Subsurface Waste Migration Suit
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Permian Basin
Produced Water Disposal
Subsurface Trespass
Railroad Commission
Plugging and Abandonment
Lease Litigation
Louisiana Supreme Court Extends Subsequent Purchaser Rule to Mineral Leases But Preserves End-of-Lease Restoration Claims Under Prudent Operator Standard
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Louisiana
Mineral Lease
Prudent Operator Standard
Surface Restoration
Subsequent Purchaser Rule
Lease Litigation
Business Court Resolves Transaction Confirmation Dispute in Post-Winter Storm Uri Force Majeure Case
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Force Majeure
Winter Storm Uri
NAESB
Transaction Confirmation
Natural Gas Trading
Pipeline & Easement
First Court Affirms $23.5 Million Lost Profit Award in Water Supply Exclusivity Dispute
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Texas Court of Appeals
Lost Profits
Water Supply Agreements
Benefit-of-the-Bargain Damages
Exclusivity Provisions
Royalty Disputes
Fifth Court Creates Pre-1960 Carve-Out from Netback Methodology for 'Market Value at the Well' Conveyances
Joel Reese | Jul 06, 2026
Market Value at the Well
Netback Calculation
Royalty Interest
Post-Production Costs
East Texas
Royalty Disputes
Texas Supreme Court Clarifies That NPRI Fixed Fractional Interests Are Not Reduced by Lease Ratification but May Be Modified by Cross-Conveyance
Joel Reese | Jun 25, 2026
Royalty Interest
Texas Supreme Court
Non-Participating Royalty Interest
Fixed Fractional Interest
Lease Ratification
Pipeline & Easement
Supreme Court Forecloses Equitable Tolling of §1446(b)(1) Removal Deadline in Interstate Pipeline Dispute
Joel Reese | Jun 25, 2026
Pipeline Infrastructure
Removal Jurisdiction
Federal Preemption
Grable Jurisdiction
Michigan
Royalty Disputes
Corpus Christi Court Reverses $15.8M Royalty Judgment, Holds 'At the Wells' Language Trumps Post-Production Cost Addenda Under Heritage Resources
Joel Reese | Jun 25, 2026
Market Value at the Well
Post-Production Costs
Heritage Resources
Royalty Valuation
Texas Royalty Disputes
Lease Litigation
Federal Claims Court Dismisses Indian Heirs' Challenge to BIA Lease Approval for Failure to Establish Tucker Act Jurisdiction
Joel Reese | Jun 25, 2026
Indian Trust Litigation
Stigler Act
Tucker Act Jurisdiction
Oklahoma
Restricted Indian Lands
Pipeline & Easement
District Court Stays Line 5 Shutdown Despite Trespass Finding, Citing Transit Treaty Obligations Over Tribal Sovereignty
Joel Reese | Jun 25, 2026
Pipeline Easement
Seventh Circuit
Tribal Sovereignty
Trespass
International Treaty
Environmental
SCOTUS Holds Wartime Production Satisfies Federal Officer Removal in $745 Million Louisiana Coastal Damage Suit Against Chevron
Joel Reese | Jun 25, 2026
Gulf Coast
Federal Officer Removal
Coastal Restoration Litigation
Environmental Claims
WWII Wartime Production
Regulatory
Colorado ECMC Approves $2 Million Settlement for Falsified Toxic Substance Reporting at 344 Front Range Sites Despite Fraud Allegations
Joel Reese | Jun 25, 2026
Front Range
Environmental Compliance
Third-Party Consultant Liability
Regulatory Settlement
Colorado ECMC
Royalty Disputes
Tenth Circuit Preserves District Court Discretion to Exceed 30% Fee Guideline in Oklahoma Royalty Class Actions
Joel Reese | Jun 25, 2026
Royalty Interest
Oklahoma
Class Action
Attorneys' Fees
Common Fund
Lease Litigation
Texas Business Court Bars $10M+ Recovery in Off-Lease Drilling Case on Privity Grounds Despite Waiver Breach
Joel Reese | Jun 25, 2026
Permian Basin
Texas Business Court
Reciprocal Waiver Agreement
Contract Privity
Off-Lease Drilling
M&A Litigation
ICC Tribunal Awards Chevron $6.2 Billion in Specific Performance Enforcing ROFR Against Hess-ExxonMobil Merger for Guyana Stabroek Block Assets
Joel Reese | Jun 25, 2026
Guyana Offshore
Right of First Refusal
Joint Operating Agreement
E&P Acquisition
ICC Arbitration
Fifth Circuit Clarifies When Creditors May Pursue Direct Claims Against Secured Lenders Outside Bankruptcy Estate
Joel Reese | Jun 25, 2026
Royalty Disputes
Texas Supreme Court Clarifies Appellate Jurisdiction Over Presumed-Grant Doctrine in Double-Fraction Royalty Disputes
Joel Reese | Jun 05, 2026
Texas Supreme Court
Presumed-Grant Doctrine
Interlocutory Appeal
Royalty Owner
Double-Fraction Deed
Title Disputes
Texas Supreme Court Overturns Decades of Precedent on Subject Matter Jurisdiction Over Foreign Mineral Rights
Joel Reese | Jun 02, 2026
Lease Litigation
Texas Supreme Court Authorizes Netback Method for "Market Value at the Well" Royalty Clauses in $340 Million Barnett Shale Dispute
Joel Reese | Jun 02, 2026
Barnett Shale
Market Value at the Well
Netback Calculation
Royalty Interest
Post-Production Costs
M&A Litigation
Fifth Circuit Clarifies When Creditors May Pursue Direct Claims Against Secured Lenders in Oil & Gas Bankruptcies
Joel Reese | Jun 02, 2026