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W&T Offshore, Inc. v. Endurance Assurance Corporation

U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, Houston Division 4:24-cv-3047 active

W&T Offshore's sureties moved for preliminary injunctions to compel cash collateral deposits securing BOEM-mandated decommissioning bonds for Gulf of Mexico operations, arguing their indemnity agreements contractually stipulated to irreparable harm. Magistrate Judge Palermo recommended denial, finding that contractual stipulations of irreparable harm, without more, are insufficient to satisfy the burden for preliminary injunctive relief.

Analysis

Southern District of Texas Denies Sureties' Demand for $105 Million in Collateral for Gulf of Mexico Decommissioning Bonds

W&T Offshore's sureties moved for preliminary injunctions to compel cash collateral deposits securing BOEM-mandated decommissioning bonds for Gulf of Mexico operations, arguing their indemnity agreements contractually stipulated to irreparable harm. Magistrate Judge Palermo recommended denial, finding that contractual stipulations of irreparable harm, without more, are insufficient to satisfy the burden for preliminary injunctive relief.

Joel Reese  |  Jul 20, 2026
Decommissioning Obligations Surety Bonds Gulf of Mexico Preliminary Injunction BOEM

Southern District of Texas Denies Motion to Disqualify V&E in BOEM Surety Bond Indemnity Dispute

W&T Offshore moved to disqualify Vinson & Elkins from representing Endurance and Lexon in litigation over a Payment and Indemnity Agreement securing BOEM-required decommissioning surety bonds, arguing V&E's prior representation from October 2014 to March 2023 on corporate finance matters gave the firm access to confidential information about W&T's surety bonding program. Magistrate Judge Dena Hanovice Palermo denied disqualification, holding W&T failed to meet its heavy burden of demonstrating the prior corporate finance representation was substantially related to the current indemnity agreement dispute.

Joel Reese  |  Jul 20, 2026
Decommissioning Obligations Surety Bonds Gulf of Mexico BOEM Attorney Disqualification