Contract Terms, Well Drilling, Contract Disputes

How Does the Model Form JOA Address an Operator/Non-Operator Dispute?

Gray Reed on 3/21/2025

Texas Crude v. Burlington Resources Oil and Gas considers the relationship between the operator and non-operators under Articles V and VI of the 1982 Model Form Joint Operating Agreement....more

Who is responsible for the negligence of the “company man” on the well?

Gray Reed on 12/14/2023

Parkman v. W&T Offshore, Inc., et al features two contractors playing hot potato over liability for a company man’s alleged negligence. The takeaway: Write your Master Service Agreement to address your liability concerns, and...more

Pennsylvania Court Upholds Cross-Unit Drilling Under Act 85

Steptoe & Johnson PLLC on 1/30/2023

On January 24, 2023, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania held that Act 85 of 2019, which permits drilling horizontal oil and gas wells across existing drilling units, is not unconstitutional....more

A Texas Lien is Invalid if the Mineral Owner is Not Yet Obligated to Pay

Gray Reed on 3/18/2022

A subcontractor’s mineral lien in Texas is invalid when, at the time the mineral owner receives notice of the lien affidavit, the mineral owner is not yet obligated to pay the contract price to its contractor. So says Pearl...more

Texas Appellate Court Rules that Lease Terminated Due to Twelve Months of Non-Production

Houston Harbaugh, P.C. on 8/10/2021

The modern producing gas well is a sophisticated and complex piece of equipment. The basic well head itself consists of several meters, valves and other components, each of which is under constant stress and pressure. ...more

Redefining the Offset Well Clause, Part 2

Gray Reed on 6/29/2018

As promised, here is a more in-depth analysis of the recent Supreme Court of Texas opinion in TRO-X LP v. Anadarko Petroleum Corp. ...more