Trinity Royalty Partners, LP v De Midland III, LLC & Pioneer Natural Resources USA, Inc., in the 385th Judicial District Court, Midland County, Texas

Represented independent working interest owner Trinity Royalty Partners in a complex title and joint operating dispute against Pioneer Natural Resources in the Midland Basin related to the operator's development of depth-severed working interests. The conflict centered on Pioneer’s "egregious" conduct in "geo-steering" wells to drain co-owned minerals without compensation. Filed suit to confirm Trinity's ownership of additional working interest that operator refused to recognize. Also filed claims over operator's development of depth-severed working interests.

Following a week-long arbitration, secured a unanimous, multi-million dollar award on behalf of Trinity for damages, interest, and all attorneys’ fees.

Type of Case: JOA Disputes, Title Disputes

Callon (Permian)  LLC & Callon Petroleum Operating Company, now a subsidiary of Apache, Court of Appeals; Eighths District of Texas

Represented Callon (now Apache) in a title dispute where plaintiffs were claiming that they owned certain overriding royalty interests in the Delaware Basin based on correction deeds that they had filed long after the interests had been transferred. Callon had purchased a portion of these valuable oil and gas interests prior to the correction deeds being filed. Following an appeal in the El Paso Court of Appeals, the firm secured a total win for Callon, reversing the trial court’s judgment in favor of the plaintiffs and confirming Callon’s full ownership of the interests in dispute.

Type of Case: Title Disputes, Appellate Litigation

Marathon Oil Permian, 5th Judicial District Court, Lea County, New Mexico

Represented Marathon Oil Permian in defending a title lawsuit related to an unrecorded overriding royalty interest assignment. Plaintiff alleged that the Defendants' predecessor had reserved an override in certain leases through an unrecorded letter agreement. After the parties filed cross motions for summary judgment, the parties entered a confidential settlement.

Type of Case: Title Dispute