Below is an article from Dr. Tinker, written in advance of his upcoming lecture at the International Energy Summit on June 1, used with permission. When it comes to managing Energy, optionality is vital Dr. Scott Tinker, Director, Bureau of Economic Geology, The University of Texas at Austin, talks…
Oil and Gas Lawyer Blog
A Great Resource for New Mexico Oil and Gas Law
Thomas C. Turner, Jr. has written a great brief summary of oil and gas law in New Mexico. A great resource for anyone who owns minerals in New Mexico. You can buy it on Amazon.
EP Energy v. Storey Minerals – a $41 million most-favored-nations clause
EP Energy E&P Co., L.P. v. Storey Minerals, Ltd., 2022 SL 223253 (Tex.App.-San Antonio 2022, pet. denied) The Texas Supreme Court recently refused to review the opinion of the San Antonio Court of Appeals in this case, involving construction of a favored nations clause in an oil and gas lease.…
Damning Report from Environmental Integrity Project on TCEQ’s Failure to Hold Polluters Accountable
This report from the Environmental Integrity Project, an organization of former EPA enforcement attorneys, provides a detailed account of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s failure to enforce its rules against repeated failures by the production, midstream and refining industry to limit harmful emissions. From the report: In Texas, a…
World Energy Consumption by Source, 1900 to 2021
Charted: Global Energy Consumption by Source, and Carbon Emissions (1900-2021)
Devon v. Sheppard — A Win for Royalty Owners
Today the Texas Supreme Court issued its opinion in Devon v. Sheppard, No. 20-0904, again addressing post-production cost deductions from royalties. The Court affirmed the court of appeals’ ruling in favor of the royalty owners. Sheppard leased minerals in the Eagle Ford Shale in 2007, before the first successful well…
Railroad Commission v. Apache – The Issue of Standing
Recently the US Supreme Court heard argument in Biden v. Nebraska, in which several states challenge the President’s authority to forgive student loans. Lost in much of the coverage was the administration’s challenge to the states’ standing to bring the case. “Standing” is a difficult concept to get your arms…
RBN Energy Blog Square One Series: Excellent Tutorial on Exploration and Production
I ran across this blog recently, which is producing a series of blog posts on modern techniques of exploration and production, from leasing through well production and plugging. Excellent tutorial for the lay person. https://rbnenergy.com/blog-series/square-one
Betsy Webster v. T.J. Heard: The Story of a Secret Love, Slavery, and a Railroad Lawyer
Occasionally I run across interesting stories that have nothing to do with oil and gas, and I am somewhat of a Texas history buff. I came across this story in the most recent issue of the Journal of the Texas Supreme Court Historical Society. My summary below is from the…
Van Dyke v. The Navigator Group – Double Fractions and the Presumed Grant Doctrine
Today the Texas Supreme Court handed down its opinion in Van Dyke v. The Navigator Group, resolving a ten-year dispute over the ownership of royalty interests and $44 million in royalties. In 1924, the Mulkeys conveyed their ranch to White and Tom, with the following reservation: It is understood…