Texas Oil and Gas Case Law Update

As the Texas economy enjoys the impact of robust oil and gas exploration and development spurred on by the shale drilling boom, Texas courts continue to experience similarly swollen dockets of oil and gas disputes. The Texas Supreme Court remained active in the energy sector in the 2011-2012 term with significant opinions affecting the areas of pipeline condemnation, exploration and production industry contracts, and lessor-lessee relations. Texas intermediate appellate courts also issued dozens of opinions touching various aspects of the industry from title and conveyancing disputes to lease operating issues. The following update will address the significant Texas Supreme Court opinions from the 2011-2012 term as well as selected cases from the intermediate appellate courts.