Here is a hypothetical: OilCo A and OilCo B each acquire oil and gas leases from mineral owners holding undivided interests in Blackacre. The two companies are unable to agree on a joint operating agreement. OilCo A drills and completes
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More on the Railroad Commission Race
The Railroad Commission is governed by three commissioners, each elected stat-wide for six-year terms. This year the race is between Democrat Jon Rosenthal and Bo French, who defeated the incumbent Jim Wright in the Republican primary.Jon Rosenthal served eight years
DO NOT VOTE FOR BO FRENCH!
In my writings I have mostly shied away from politics. I must make an exception here.Those of us in the oil and gas space know what the Railroad Commission does. Most voters do not. Bo French defeated incumbent Jim Wright
The Washout of Tom Craddick’s Overriding Royalty
Recently the El Paso Court of Appeals affirmed a judgment denying Tom Craddick’s claim that Cimarex and BPX had conspired to wash out his overriding royalty interest in an oil and gas lease owned by BPX. Craddick v. Cimarex Energy
Texas’ Open Beaches
Last month the Texas Supreme Court decided three cases involving Texas’ Open Beaches Act. The Court issued one opinion in all three cases: No. 24-0237, Texas General Land Office and Dawn Buckingham, in her official capacity as the Texas Land
Judicial Independence and the Rule of Law
As we are on the cusp of celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the remarkable fact that our nation has survived so long, it seems a good time to share a speech given by Lee West
The Oil and Gas Lease Part VII – Retained Acreage Clauses
Oil and gas leases that cover larger tracts — say 300 acres or more — should contain a retained acreage clause.
A retained acreage clause has two parts: defining how much acreage will be kept under lease by a well
Dan Moody Statue Dedicated
Dan Moody was governor of Texas, serving two terms, 1927-31. He was born and raised in Taylor, Texas; the family home is now the Moody Museum. Last Saturday I attended the unveiling of a statue of Governor Moody at the
Boerschig v. Rio Grande Electric Cooperative: What is the Scope of an Easement by Estoppel?
On May 22 the Texas Supreme Court issued opinions in Boerschig v. Rio Grande Electric Cooperative, No. 24-0213. Four Justices joined the majority opinion by Justice Busby; Justice Hawkins also filed a concurring opinion; and Justice Bland, joined by
The Oil and Gas Lease Part VI – Pooling
Every oil company lease form will contain a pooling clause, and the rights granted to the Lessee by that clause can significantly affect the economic and other rights of the Lessor under the lease. Every Lessor should therefore understand the