In this case (Scout Energy Mgmt., LLC v. Taylor Properties, No. 23-1014, 2024 WL 5249490 [Tex. Dec. 31, 2024]), the Texas Supreme Court held that vague notations on shut-in royalty check receipts cannot modify an unambiguous...more
5/29/2025
/ Appeals ,
Breach of Contract ,
Commercial Leases ,
Contract Disputes ,
Contract Interpretation ,
Dispute Resolution ,
Mineral Leases ,
Oil & Gas ,
Royalties ,
Texas ,
TX Supreme Court
A landowner’s failure to provide consent for surface use related to oil and gas operations does not necessarily preclude the lessee from conducting activities if the lease agreements allow surface use....more
5/28/2025
/ Appeals ,
ConocoPhillips ,
Contract Disputes ,
Contract Interpretation ,
Dispute Resolution ,
Easements ,
Energy Projects ,
Horizontal Wells ,
Mineral Extraction ,
Mineral Leases ,
Oil & Gas ,
Real Estate Transactions ,
Surface Owner ,
Trespass
A lessee who halts production for less than 40 days and resumes without drilling or reworking does not terminate the lease. The continuous development clause keeps the lease active, and the cessation clause allows resumed...more
5/8/2025
/ Actual Costs ,
Appeals ,
Business Litigation ,
Contract Disputes ,
Contract Interpretation ,
Dispute Resolution ,
Gas Royalties ,
Mineral Leases ,
Oil & Gas ,
Popular ,
Postproduction Costs ,
Royalties ,
Summary Judgment ,
Texas ,
Well Drilling
In this recent case, the Texas Supreme Court resolved whether ratification of a lease or signing of a stipulation agreement could transform a fixed non-participating royalty interest (NPRI) into a floating NPRI....more
5/5/2025
/ ConocoPhillips ,
Contract Disputes ,
Contract Interpretation ,
Contract Modification ,
Dispute Resolution ,
Gas Royalties ,
Leases ,
Mineral Leases ,
Mineral Rights ,
Oil & Gas ,
Property Owners ,
Ratification ,
Real Estate Transactions ,
Royalties ,
Texas ,
TX Supreme Court