Birnbaum v. SWEPI LP

OPINION

PHIL HARDBERGER, Chief Justice.

This case involves the interpretation of an oil and gas lease. Appellants, a group of royalty owners (“Royalty Owners”), sued EOG Resources, Inc. fik/a Enron Oil and Gas Company and its predecessors in interest, SWEPI LP f/k/a Shell Western E & P, Inc. and Shell Oil Company, (collectively the “Lessees”) for breach of an oil and gas lease. The Royalty Owners claimed that the Lessees were required to pay royalties on gas used for compressor and plant fuel. The parties filed cross-motions for summary judgment, and the trial court rendered judgment in favor…