Opinion ID: 2612680
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: did the court err in its accounting?

Text: With respect to this contention, most of what we have said in our discussion of the second issue is relevant. We note this because Rainbow Oil Company again attempts to argue the equal revenues concept and the need for undertaking secondary recovery before the 25-75% share in the net proceeds should properly take effect. As far as we can determine, the only argument that merits attention concerns the propriety of the trial judge's finding that Christmann could and would have completed the reworking of the ten wells on Old Rainbow within 12 months in consequence of which the 25-75% provision would have taken effect during June of 1979  the starting date being June of 1978 when the drilling program on New Rainbow was completed. This case was tried to the court and it is for the trial judge to weigh conflicting evidence and decide what inferences are to be drawn from the facts. Colorado Builders Supply Co. v. National Fire Insurance Co., Wyo., 423 P.2d 79 (1967); Johnson v. Aetna Casualty and Surety Company of Hartford, Wyo., 630 P.2d 514 (1981). The court's findings of fact will not be easily overturned, and then only in circumstances where there is a lack of competent evidence to support them. Scott v. Elwood, 77 Wyo., 428, 317 P.2d 513 (1957). From our review of the record, we are of the opinion that the trial court admirably performed the difficult task of sorting out the evidence in this complicated case and his efforts and conclusions are not subject to valid criticism. There was uncontroverted testimony that Christmann could have completed the work on Old Rainbow in a six-month period and the trial judge's decision to utilize a twelve-month time schedule is compatible with the evidence in the case. As to other contentions made by appellant within the framework of this issue, we find them to be without merit and they will not be addressed. Our review of the record convinces us that the trial court seriously considered all of the pertinent testimony and came to the proper result. Appellant was compensated for any costs which it incurred in reworking Old Rainbow and it also received interest on the monies withheld by Christmann prior to the filing of this lawsuit. The accounting is approved in all respects.