Coastal Oil & Gas Corp. v. Garza Energy Trust

in which Justice BRISTER, Justice Green, Judge CHRISTOPHER,1 and Justice PEMBERTON2 joined, and in all but Part II-B of which Justice JEFFERSON, Justice MEDINA, Justice JOHNSON, and Justice WILLETT joined.

The primary issue in this appeal is whether subsurface hydraulic fracturing of a natural gas well that extends into another’s property is a trespass for which the value of gas drained as a result may be recovered as damages. We hold that the rule of capture bars recovery of such damages. We also hold:

• mineral lessors with a reversionary interest have standing to bring an action for…