Gardes Directional Drilling v. U.S. Turnkey Exploration Co.

REYNALDO G. GARZA, Circuit Judge:

This appeal concerns lien rights on certain property associated with an oil drilling operation in the Gulf of Mexico. Because we find that Louisiana law applies to this controversy and that it provides for personal liability in this instance, we must reverse the district court’s grant of summary judgment in favor of the appellees and remand this case for further proceedings, including a determination of the value of the lien property.

I

In 1977, the United States Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service (“MMS”), entered into an oil, gas, and…