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Tyler Court of Appeals Upholds Take-Nothing Judgment in Favor of Operator in Royalty Dispute
The Tyler Court of Appeals has affirmed a San Augustine County district court’s take-nothing judgment on a jury verdict finding that an oil and gas operator did not fail to provide a royalty owner with statutorily required information under the Natural Resources...
Lt. Gov. Patrick Adds More Interim Charges
The Lieutenant Governor has added more charges to the interim call.
Corpus Christi-Edinburgh Court of Appeals Holds That Crude Oil Stored for International Shipment Immune from Taxation
In a series of four rulings, the Corpus Christi-Edinburg Court of Appeals has rejected an attempt by the San Patricio County District to assess crude held in a terminal for shipment to international destinations. EOG Resources Marketing, LLC v. San Patricio County...
House Interim Charges Released
Speaker Burrows has released the House Interim Charges for 2026.
Beaumont Court of Appeals Enforces Duty to Defend Provision Against Contractor
The Beaumont Court of Appeals has affirmed summary judgment in favor of a property owner in a dispute with a security contract over the enforcement of an indemnity and defense provision in the parties’ contract. Universal Protection Service, LP d/b/a Allied...
Business Court Grants Temporary Injunction in Breach of Noncompete Agreement Case
The Business Court has granted an employer’s request for a temporary injunction to block a former employee from engaging in competitive activities despite a noncompete agreement. Galderma Laboratories, L.P. v. Erick Brenner (2026 Tex. Bus. 12; March 12, 2026) arose...
Reversing San Antonio Court of Appeals, SCOTX Holds That A Turkey Trot is “Recreational”
In a decision reminiscent of the Dallas Court of Appeals’ pronouncement that a tornado is not a windstorm, the Texas Supreme Court reversed a San Antonio Court of Appeals decision that (mind-bogglingly) held that a jogger in a 5K run in downtown San Antonio was not...
SCOTX Upholds “Location of Buyer” Sourcing Rule for Apportioning Texas Receipts Under Franchise Tax
In an important tax decision for the state, the Texas Supreme Court has affirmed an Austin Court of Appeals ruling that upheld a Comptroller rule that governs sourcing of a taxpayer’s gross receipts for purposes of apportioning them to Texas under the franchise...
Eastland Court of Appeals Holds That Oilfield Anti-Indemnity Act Does Not Bar Contractor From Enforcing, as Third-Party Beneficiary, Mutual Defense and Indemnification Agreement Between Operator and Oilfield Services Provider
In a case that thoroughly reviews the question of whether the Texas Oilfield Anti-Indemnity Act (Chapter 127) excludes claims by third-party beneficiaries to enforce “knock-for-knock” agreements between operators and oilfield services contractors, the Eastland...
SCOTX Reverses Houston [1st] Court of Appeals Affirmation of $26 Million Award to Fracking Water Supplier in Breach of Contract Case
The Texas Supreme Court has reversed a Houston [1st] Court of Appeals decision affirming a sizable judgment in favor of a fracking water supplier in a breach of contract case. Equinor Energy LP v. Lindale Pipeline (No. 24-0425; March 13, 2026) arose a contract...
SCOTX Reverses El Paso Court of Appeals Decision Holding That 1/128 Fixed Royalty Really Meant 1/16 Floating Nonparticpating Interest
The Texas Supreme Court has reversed an El Paso Court of Appeals decision that misapplied the Court’s ruling in Van Dyke v. Navigator Group to find that a deed conveying a 1/128 fixed interest actually conveyed a 1/16 floating interest. Cale Andrews Clifton, et al....