Opinion ID: 2427845
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Interoffice Memo of August 10, 1990

Text: This memorandum reflects on its face that it was prepared in anticipation of claims by producers such as the Long Trusts against Tejas and corollary claims against Valero. It was written to Martin Zolkoski by Lowell Moore, an employee of Valero who was involved in ongoing negotiations with Tejas. Zolkoski discussed the memorandum in an affidavit submitted to the trial court: [I]t was my belief that there was a high probability that litigation between Valero and Tejas relating to producer claims, such as those made by The Long Trusts, would ensue unless some arrangement could be reached with Tejas. It was in this context that I requested Mr. Moore to meet with Mr Blankenship [at Tejas]. After Mr. Moore met with Mr. Blankenship, he prepared a memorandum to me dated August 10, 1990, summarizing his meeting with Mr. Blankenship. My communications with Mr. Moore regarding this situation were intended to be confidential and I did not intend for the communications to be disclosed to third persons other than those parties to whom disclosure was necessary in connection with defending any take or pay claims or in the anticipation of defending against any such claims. An affidavit from Lowell Moore also states that Moore anticipated litigation with Tejas at the time this memo was prepared. This communication should be privileged under National Tank.