Texas Oil and Gas Attorney
1420 Alabama St.
Houston, Texas 77004

1049 N. 3rd St., Ste. 200
Abilene, Texas 79601
📧 Josh@badasslawyer.com
☎ 713-702-4585

Texas and New Mexico attorney for oil and gas cases

Oil and gas and mineral cases often start with deed records and operating agreements.  Before a dispute arises, these crucial legal documents must be properly prepared to make the rights and obligations of the parties clear.  After the dispute arises, these documents must be reviewed to determine whether the rights of the parties are being respected and obligations of the parties are being carried out.  Josh specializes in preparing and reviewing, and if necessary, suiting or defending in court regarding the enforcement or defense of the rights and obligations of the parties arising from these documents.

In this the regard, Josh has handled oil and gas type cases in the following Texas counties:

• Archer (title opinions)
• Armstrong (title opinions)
• Austin (litigation)
• Baylor (title opinions)
• Bexar (litigation, title opinions)
• Borden (title opinions)
• Bowie (appeal)
• Brazoria (litigation)
• Brown (litigation, title opinions)
• Burleson (litigation)
• Burnet (title opinions)
• Canadian (litigation)
• Callahan (litigation, title opinions)
• Carson (title opinions)
• Chambers (litigation)
• Coke (title opinions)
• Coleman (litigation, title opinions)
• Collin (litigation)
• Crane (litigation)
• Dallas (litigation)
• Dawson (litigation)
• Deaf Smith (title opinions)
• Denton (litigation)
• Dickens (title opinions)
• Dimmit (litigation)
• Eastland (litigation, appeals, title opinions)
• Ector (litigation, title opinions)
• Erath (title opinions)
• Fayette (litigation)
• Fisher (litigation, title opinions)
• Foard (title opinions)
• Fort Bend (litigation)
• Galveston (litigation)
• Garza (title opinions)
• Gonzales (litigation)
• Gray (title opinions)
• Hansford (title opinions)
• Harris (litigation)
• Harrison (litigation)
• Haskell (title opinions)
• Hemphill (litigation, title opinions)
• Hidalgo (title opinions)
• Hockley (title opinions)
• Howard (litigation, title opinions)
• Hutchinson (title opinions)
• Irion (litigation)
• Jack (litigation, title opinions)
• Jones (litigation, title opinions)
• Kent (title opinions)
• King (title opinions)
• Knox (title opinions)
• Lamb (title opinions)
• La Salle (title opinions)
• Live Oak (litigation)
• Lynn (title opinions)
• Martin (litigation)
• Matagorda (litigation, title opinions)
• Midland (litigation, title opinions)
• Milam (litigation, title opinions)
• Mitchell (litigation, title opinions)
• Montgomery (litigation)
• Nacogdoches (litigation)
• Nolan (litigation, title opinions)
• Nueces (litigation)
• Ochiltgree (title opinions)
• Palo Pinto (title opinions)
• Potter (title opinions)
• Randall (title opinions)
• Refugio (litigation)
• Reeves (litigation)
• Roberts (title opinions)
• Robertson (title opinions)
• Runnels (litigation, title opinions)
• Schleicher (title opinions)
• Scurry (litigation, title opinions)
• Shackelford (ligitagion, title opinions)
• Sherman (title opinions)
• Smith (title opinions)
• Stephens (title opinions)
• Stonewall (title opinions)
• Taylor (litigation, title opinions)
• Terry (title opinions)
• Throckmorton (litigation, title opinions)
• Tom Green (litigation, title opinions)
• Travis (litigation)
• Uvalde (title opinions)
• Upton (litigation)
• Ward (litigation)
• Webb (title opinions)
• Wilbarger (litigation)
• Winkler (litigation)
• Yoakum (title opinions)
• Young (title opinions).

Josh has also handled these types of issues in the following New Mexico counties:

• Chaves (litigation)
• Eddy (litigation)
• San Juan (title opinions)
• Lea (title opinions)

The following are examples of oil and gas related appeals handled by Stein:

Appeals

• Feagan v. Wilson, 11-21-00059-CV, 2022 Tex. App. Lexis ___, 2022 WL ____, (Tex. App.—Eastland Sept. 8, 2022, no pet.) (mem. op.) (no res judicata after severance).
• Feagan v. Wilson, No. 11-21-00032-CV, 2021 Tex. App. LEXIS 2263, 2021 WL 1134804, (Tex. App.—Eastland Mar. 25, 2021, no pet.) (mem. op.) (permissive appeal denied).
• Durant v. Lumberjack Energy, LLC, 648 S.W.3d 366 (Tex. App.—Texarkana, 2021, no pet.) (no right-of-survivorship in deed converting community to separate property).
• Dayston, LLC v. Brooke, 630 S.W.3d 220 (Tex. App.—Eastland, 2020, no pet.) (contract where land is described as “being surveyed” fails to comply with the statute of frauds).
• Rahlek, Ltd. v. Robert Wells, 587 S.W.3d 57 (Tex. App.—Eastland, 2019, pet. denied) (finding no reservation by implication in a grant of minerals “owned by grantor”).
• Greeheyco, Inc. v. Brown, 565 S.W.3d 309 (Tex. App.—Eastland, 2018, no pet.) (disputing whether continuous drilling clause maintained an oil and gas lease).
• Seven N. Holdings, L.P. v. Mathis & Sons, Inc., 2014 WL 272462 (Tex. App.—Eastland 2014, no pet.) (conversion of low grade “gun grease” oil in storage tanks).

The following are examples of oil and gas trial court litigation handled by Stein:

2022

• Arnold v. ABTex Energy, Inc., No. 22-3218-362, 362nd Dist., Denton Co., Texas (oil and gas securities fraud concerning lands in Oklahoma).
• Logan Trans., Inc. v. Martin Foree Op., LLC, No. CC24182 in the Co. Court at Law of Midland Co., Texas (unpaid invoices for oilfield services).
• Love v. Sellars, No. 2006-340A, 4th Dist., Rusk Co., Texas (multiple chains of title to properties throughout East Texas arising from 1970 probate dispute).
• Paul v. Three C Exploration, LLC, No. 2022DCV-2214-C, 94th Dist., Nueces Co., Texas (suit to terminate oil and gas lease for lack of production).
• Pima Oilfield Services, LLC v. D.W.R. Oil Prop., Inc., No. D-504-CV-2022-00023, 5th Dist., Chaves Co., New Mexico (breach of contract concerning oilfield services).

2021

• In Re: Estate of Stella Alcott, No. PR41986, County Court at Law of Brazoria Co., Texas (probate matter concerning distribution of oil and gas assets).
• Arnold v. Sacramento Valley Resources, LLC, No. DC-21-10124, 191st Dist., Dallas Co., Texas (oil and gas securities fraud and breaches of the Texas Securities Act).
• Atmos Energy Corp. v. Half Acre Holdings, LLC, No. 22154, 42nd, Callahan Co., Texas (concerning pipeline under a 100-year old easement and lost grant doctrine).
• Codesmen, LLC v. Social Tech, Inc., No. D-1-GN-21-003666, 200th, Travis Co., Texas (breach of contract and accompanying non-compete agreement).
• Concho Valley Horizon, LLC v. Mako-Shaw Investments, LLC, No. B210104C, 119th Dist., Tom Green Co., Texas (disputed ownership of oilfield supply company).
• Cudd Pumping Services, Inc. v. DWR Oil Prop., Inc., No. D-504-CV-2021-00212, 5th Dist., Chaves Co., New Mexico (breach of contract for oilfield services).
• Elmore v. West, No. CV40870, 20th Dist., Milam Co., Texas (concerning damages to real and personal property arising from a fire cause by a train striking a truck).
• Sharp Corp. v. Elliott Oil & Gas Co., No. 113087-CV, 412th Dist., Brazoria Co., Texas (concerning termination of oil and gas lease for nonproduction and surface damages)
• Tooke v. Moore, No. 7643, 31st Dist., Hemphill Co, Texas (lawsuit concerning title to minerals and overriding royalty in Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico).
• Vista Energy Consulting, LLC v. MLB Op. Serv., LLC, No. 429-02975-2021, 429th Dist., Collin Co., Texas (dispute concerning rights to operate wells).

2020

• Becken et al. v. 1893 Oil & Gas Ltd., No. L-20-0095-CV-C, 343rd Dist., Live Oak County, Texas (mass action concerning construction of non-standard royalty deeds).
• DeVito vs Denbury Onshore, LLC, No. 20-DCV-272685, 434th Dist., Fort Bend Co., Texas (termination of a saltwater injection well and oilfield cleanup).
• Eagle Natural Resources, LLC v. Mosman Operating, LLC, No. 20-07-20623, 106th Dist., Dawson Co., Texas (concerning title to working interests and liquidated damages).
• Echols Minerals, LLC v. Donald Mac Green, Trustee, No. 7505, 118th Martin Co., Texas (application of the Duhig Rule to simultaneously executed deeds).
• In Re: Estate of Ella Townsend, 2020-PR-00451-3, Nueces County Court at Law (probate matter for disposition of oil and gas properties).
• Lumberjack Energy, LLC v. Durant, No. 20-0225, 71st, Harrison Co., Texas (concerning a deed transforming separate property into community property).
• Nabors v. Subsurface Prod., Inc., No. CV-20002076, 35th, Brown Co., Texas (unpaid promissory note secured by oil and gas working interest).
• Oasis Pipeline, LP v. Hartis, No. 2020V-0121, 155th, Austin Co., Texas (dispute concerning expansion of pipeline and aboveground facilities).
• Oncor Electric Delivery Co., LLC v. Tollett, No. 4946C in the County Court at Law, Reeves County, Texas (condemnation suit concerning a transmission line across an oilfield).
• Oswald v. Wright, No. 20-CV-000042, Dist. of Ellis County, Kansas (partition of mineral properties in Kansas by surface owner).
• Roper v. TXEnergy Leasing, LLC, No. 20-08-25523-CVW, 143rd, Ward Co., Texas (termination of a term instrument for lack of oil and gas production).
• Texas State Securities Board v. U.S. Energy Assets, LLC et al, SOAH Docket 312-20-1848 (distinguishing oil and gas joint ventures from securities under Section 506 of Reg. D).
• Wieczorek v. US Energy Assets, LLC, AAA, No. 01-20-0000-6857 (distinguishing oil and gas joint ventures from securities under Section 506 of Reg. D).

2019

• Archer Petroleum Ltd. Co. v. Meek, No. 024889, 25th9, Jones Co., Texas (surface damages resulting from oilfield operations).
• Acuna v. Acuna, No. 50265-A, 42nd, Taylor Co. Texas (adverse possession of surface and minerals to 154 acres of land in Taylor County, Texas).
• Barkley et al. v. Holm., No. 19-03-22834, 143rd, Reeves Co., Texas (concerning a floating non-participating royalty interest paid on a fixed basis).
• Doggett et al. v. Harrell et al., No. 29826, 21st, Burleson Co., Texas (concerning a floating non-participating royalty interest paid on a fixed basis).
• Foundation Minerals, LLC et al. v. Janzen, No. 19-12-23300, 143rd, Reeves Co., Texas (multiple chains of title caused by probate of 50-year-old will).
• Foundation Minerals, LLC et al. v. Luxe Energy, LLC, No. 19-05-22964, 143rd Dist., Reeves Co., Texas (suit to release oil and gas lease for lack of operations).
• In Re: Estate of Gorden Roesch, No. BPB-19 002766, Kern County, California Superior Court (concerning applicability of Texas law to California probate proceeding).
• Silver Oil & Gas Co., Inc. v. Sayles, No. 024789, 259th Dist. Ct., Jones Co., Texas (contingent remainder interest quitclaimed by a blanket conveyance).
• Silverbow Resources Operating, LLC v. Sola Energy Resources, LLC, No. 2019-14596, 127th, Harris Co., Texas (regarding plugging obligations in Louisiana).
• In Re: Estate of Donnie Smith, No. CV19-01095, 42nd, Coleman Co., Texas (will construction and partial intestacy with search for heirs dating back to the mid-1800s).
• Tiburon v. XTO Holdings, LLC, No. 7405, 118th Dist., Martin County, Texas (suit to recover an unpaid overriding royalty in recorded and unrecorded assignments).
• TOG Acquisitions & Holdings, Inc. v. Koehn, et al., Cause 19-10-25236-CVW, 143rd Ct., Ward Co., Texas (exercise of a power of appointment over minerals held in trust).

2018

• In Re: Addington Family Partnership Ltd., No. 18−51710, Bankr. S.D. Texas, San Antonio (adversarial bankruptcy delaying confirmation of oil and gas arbitration award).
• Anderson v. US Shale Energy V, LLC., No. 18-06-22458, 143rd, Reeves Co., Texas (“Leases” of NPRIs are void oil and gas leases by estoppel).
• In Re: Estate of Clifford Bueche, Sr., No. D-503-PB-2018-00090, 5th Ct. Eddy Co., New Mexico (breach of contract for sale of minerals with alleged bona fide purchaser).
• In Re: Estate of Mary Bueche, No. 00091
• In Re: Kost Ventures 1, Ltd., No. 18-51711, Bankr. S.D. Texas, San Antonio (adversarial bankruptcy delaying confirmation of oil and gas arbitration award).
• Marston et al. v. Blackbeard Operating, LLC, No. 18-10-24761-CVW, 143rd, Ward Co., Texas (suit by mineral owner for changing an oil well into a saltwater disposal well).
• NuStar Permian Trans. and Storage, LLC v. Asro Management, LLP, Cause No. 53114, 118th, Howard Co., Texas (eminent domain for pipeline easement).
• South Spur, LP. v. Ahlers, No. 18-01-13329, 365th Dist., Dimmit Co., Texas (defending record owners against adverse possession of a ghost town).
• Vacek v. US Shale Energy VI, LLC, No. 2018V-175, 155th, Fayette Co., Texas (“Leases” of NPRIs are void oil and gas leases by estoppel).

2017

• Brooke v. Dayston, LLC, No. CV34805, 266th, Erath Co., Texas (voiding a contract by the statute of frauds where land is described as “being surveyed.”)
• Camp Trial Group v. Maak Enterprises, LLC., No. DC-17-17223, 95th, Dallas Co., Texas (jury trial concerning botched foreclosure of ranch).
• Foundation Minerals, LLC v. Barnhart, No. D-503-CV-2017-00881, 5th Judicial Dist., Eddy Co., New Mexico (seeking specific performance for sale of mineral property).
• Young v. Phoenix Fund, Inc., AAA No. 02-17-0002-2200 (“Leases” of NPRIs are void oil and gas leases by estoppel).

2016

• Feagan et al. v. Wilson, No. 023710, 259th, Jones Co., Texas (concerning ownership of minerals acquired in a 1958 oral partnership).
• McDonald Living Trust v. Lytle Arche Ranching, LLC, No. 16-02-12825, 365th, Dimmit Co., Texas (regarding “land described” and “estate conveyed”).
• Verde Minerals, LLC v. 1893 Oil & Gas, Ltd., No. 2:16-CV-00463, US Dist. Ct., S.D. Texas, Corpus Christi (class action constructing nonstandard royalty deeds).
• Young v. Phoenix Fund, Inc. et al., Cause No. 26479, 25th Ct., Gonzales Co., Texas (“Leases” of NPRIs are void oil and gas leases by estoppel).

2015

• Brown et al. v. Greeheyco, Inc., No. 3420, 39th, Throckmorton Co., Texas (disputing whether continuous drilling clause maintained an oil and gas lease).
• Rogers Dentonio Ranch, Ltd. v. E. Powell, No. 15-06-12633, 365th, Dimmit Co., Texas (defending record owners against adverse possession of a ghost town).
• Wells et al. v. Rahlek., No. 5951, 42nd, Coleman Co., Texas (finding no reservation by implication in a grant of minerals “owned by grantor”).