El Paso Oil and Gas Litigation - Preparing for Discovery and Trial with a Texas Attorney

As part of the Permian Basin, El Paso substantially contributes to Texas’s oil and gas industry. Resource-rich land in the area is a significant asset for land and mineral owners who receive royalties from oil and gas developers for the use of their property. Unfortunately, large oil companies often breach contract agreements, leaving owners without their fair share of the profits.

Our team of El Paso lawyers at Carabin Shaw helps land and mineral owners pursue missing or reduced royalty payments. Disputes are often resolved through negotiation but may move to discovery and trial if the parties can’t reach a settlement agreement. We are experienced in every stage of oil and gas litigation, have decades of experience serving the Texas population, and will take your case as far as necessary to ensure a fair outcome. Contact us 24/7 at 800-862-1260 for a free case review now.

Discovery is a pretrial process during oil and gas legal disputes that allows both sides and their legal teams to gather and share information and evidence. While discovery can be lengthy and tedious, it provides both parties access to all relevant facts and documentation to make informed decisions during a trial. In many cases, discovery leads to a settlement, eliminating the need to take the dispute to court.

The Texas Rules of Civil Procedure governs the discovery process in Texas. Choose an experienced local attorney who is well-versed in these laws to ensure your discovery process includes all relevant information under state rules. Carabin Shaw, for example, has handled dozens of oil and gas disputes and will protect your rights and work toward a satisfactory settlement or successful trial during discovery. Contact us today to learn more.

Texas allows three main types of discovery in oil and gas litigation:

These written requests seek specific answers to questions, which the respondent must answer under oath. Interrogatories must be completed within a specified period and can be used later in court to support motions or challenge witness testimony.

A deposition is an interview conducted under oath by lawyers on both sides, with a court reporter present to record the questions and answers. The opposing counsel interviews with the party’s attorneys were also in attendance. Depositions can lock in sworn testimony or discover additional information relevant to the case before an El Paso oil and gas lawsuit.

This request is used for copies of paper or electronic documents from the other party to support your case, such as production data and drilling reports. The delivering lawyer must check documents to ensure no unrequested or privileged information is included. The receiving legal team then reviews the documents for relevant information that supports their case.

Discovery might also include a request for disclosure (asking for certain relevant information) or admissions (confirming or denying certain information). Collecting all the evidence and facts can be lengthy, often taking months. However, a thorough discovery process can lead to a pretrial settlement or better prepare both parties for the courtroom if a trial is necessary.

The discovery process offers numerous benefits for both sides of the litigation, including:

• Evidence, facts, and other information relevant to supporting each side of the case
• Obtainment of additional facts through requests, interrogatories, and depositions
• Resolution of potential factual issues before trial to streamline court proceedings
• Legal issues involved to help both sides prepare for trial
• A powerful tool in the negotiation process, often eliminating the need for a trial

Discovery is critical for El Paso, Texas attorneys on both sides of oil and gas litigation, whether the matter goes to trial or a settlement is reached before it gets to court.

Oil and gas litigation is complex, particularly when it advances to the discovery phase of the pretrial process. Our renowned Texas attorneys at Carabin Shaw helps land and mineral owners navigate discovery and prepare for court if necessary. We offer our services on a contingency-fee basis, and our client reviews attest to our ability to protect the rights of owners like you. Contact us and speak to one of our English—or Spanish-speaking professionals now to schedule your FREE case evaluation.

For more information:

• RCC Texas
• Cornell Law
• TX Courts