House Bill 1496, if passed, could bring a new twist to the old workings of eminent domain. Most operators have probably come across that one local municipality that is such a pain to deal with, due to regulations and restrictions imposed upon drilling activities, that the better option seems to be avoidance of such an […]
From the President: Cooperation is the Key
As I write this, the Texas legislature is at its peak of activity and PBPA is right in the middle of it. Before I discuss the latest legislative activities, I want to give credit to a Texas state agency. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), an agency who has had its fair share of […]
From the Chairman: Final Push
Sunset legislation and other critical issues draw greater scrutiny as the Texas Legislature heads down the home stretch. The Texas legislative session is in full swing. Many issues are being discussed. The Railroad Commission Sunset is probably the biggest issue impacting our industry at this point. The House Energy Resources Committee heard testimony last month […]
Toward Tort Reform: February PBPA Luncheon
The co-founder of Texans for Lawsuit Reform carries his cause to West Texas. MIDLAND, TEXAS—Attendees to the February PBPA luncheon heard an appeal from Richard “Dick” Weekley, the co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Texans for Lawsuit Reform (TLR), a statewide tort reform organization dedicated to bringing fairness and balance back to Texas’ civil justice system. […]
The Politics of “Sue and Settle”
The “green lobby’s” tactics in the species-listings campaigns are lacking in transparency, candor, and accountability. As we have previously reported, in November the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) put forth their proposal that the Lesser Prairie Chicken be listed on the Threatened Species list per the provisions of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The […]
From the Chairman: Supply & Demand – In Perspective
No one in this industry has a crystal ball, but even so, it’s helpful sometimes to ask, and try to anticipate, where things are headed. The Permian Basin oil field has had a high level of activity for the last three years. This high level of activity has brought a number of positive effects on […]
From the Chairman: Victims of Our Own Success
Pipeline “takeaway capacity” remains one of the most critical issues facing Permian Basin oil and gas interests. Is the Permian Basin oil and gas industry about to be a victim of its own success? We are seeing $20+/bbl price differentials between WTI Cushing and Brent crude prices and recently $8-10/bbl additional differential between Midland and […]
From the President: Seeking Consensus
Legislative matters, regulatory issues, and the science question, revisited. Both the Texas and New Mexico legislative sessions are in full swing. Both legislatures are full of new faces. In Texas, there are over 40 freshmen House members. PBPA hosted a luncheon for these new Texas house members last month the day before the session began. […]
From the General Counsel: NPRI Owners and Their Interests
The Non-Participating Royalty Interest Owner has been known to make things interesting for operators when the former has not fully been taken into account. Operators of oil and gas lands can potentially tread some dangerous water when it comes to the payment of royalties to all interest owners. Typically, operators have Drilling Title Opinions drafted […]
From the General Counsel: No Going Back
The backdating of pooling agreements is not permissible, per the Texas Supreme Court. The Texas Supreme Court recently provided guidance on the practice of backdated pooling agreements when it denied review of a memorandum decision issued in June 2012 by the Eleventh Court of Appeals. Eddie E. Godfrey, individually, and Eddie E. Godfrey and Jay […]