Austin represents Texas operators and non-operators in complex issues and disputes. He seeks practical solutions to avoid litigation, but adopts aggressive courtroom strategies when necessary.
Often overlooked as boilerplate, the MUI clause can carry serious litigation consequences. Case law shows it can drive substantial damages, or provide unexpected strategic leverage, turning routine transactions into high-stakes disputes.
Producer's Edge, Volume 7, Issue 1, features landmark Texas Supreme Court rulings on the "Anadarko Washout," subsurface ownership, and produced water rights, plus key insights on JOA disputes and Winter Storm Uri litigation.
Texas Supreme Court ruled in Cactus Water Services v. COG Operating that produced water belongs to mineral estate owners, not surface owners, even when conveyance documents don't explicitly mention it.
Texas courts reject "mechanical" deed interpretation while creating a 26-step framework. Bush v. Yarborough reveals the irony of structured analysis disguised as flexible law.
Can one word in a contract cost millions? A Texas oil company just discovered what happens when 'may' doesn't mean 'must' in their royalty assignments.
Who owns the void left behind after millions of tons of salt are mined - and can it be used for someone else’s storage business? The Texas Supreme Court just drew the line.
