Court Opinion

ID: 4050261
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-09-29 01:12:18.588163+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:26:15.679946
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ACCEPTED
                                                                                     13-14-00402-CV
                                                                        THIRTEENTH COURT OF APPEALS
                                                                              CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS
                                                                                 2/19/2015 9:11:26 PM
                                           ORAL ARGUMENT REQUESTED                  DORIAN RAMIREZ
                                                                                               CLERK

                          NO. 13-14-00402-CV

                    In the Court of Appeals       FILED IN
                                          13th COURT OF APPEALS
                                       CORPUS CHRISTI/EDINBURG, TEXAS
        for the Thirteenth Judicial District   of Texas
                                           2/19/2015 9:11:26 PM

                 at Corpus Christi-Edinburg Clerk
                                            DORIAN E. RAMIREZ

CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY, BURLINGTON RESOURCES OIL &
                   GAS CO., L.P.,
                               Appellants/Cross-Appellees,

AND LOIS STRIEBER, INDIVIDUALLY AND AS EXECUTRIX OF THE
               ESTATE OF JERRY STRIEBER,
                                                 Appellants,
                            v.
     RALPH WADE KOOPMANN, KAREN MARIE KOENIG,
               AND LORENE H. KOOPMANN,
                                 Appellees/Cross-Appellants.

      Appeal from the 24th Judicial District Court, Dewitt County, Texas
                        Cause Number 12-07-22,354

           BURLINGTON CROSS-APPELLEES’ BRIEF

 Kevin D. Cullen                         Michael V. Powell
  State Bar No. 05208625                  State Bar No. 169204400
  kcullen@cullenlawfirm.com               mpowell@lockelord.com
 CULLEN, CARSNER, SEERDEN                Kirsten M. Castañeda
 & CULLEN, L.L.P.                         State Bar No. 00792401
 119 South Main Street                    kcastaneda@lockelord.com
 Victoria, Texas 77902                   Elizabeth L. Tiblets
 (361) 573-6318                           State Bar No. 24066194
 (361) 573-2603 (fax)                     etiblets@lockelord.com
                                         LOCKE LORD LLP
                                         2200 Ross Avenue, Suite 2200
                                         Dallas, Texas 75201-6776
                                         (214) 740-8000
                                         (214) 740-8800 (fax)
Attorneys for Burlington Resources Oil & Gas Co., L.P. and ConocoPhillips Company
                                     TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                                                       Page

TABLE OF CONTENTS.......................................................................................... ii

INDEX OF AUTHORITIES.....................................................................................vi

CROSS-ISSUES RESTATED...................................................................................x

        As to Koopmanns:
        1.      Texas Natural Resources Code §91.402 states royalty
                “payments may be withheld without interest…when there
                is…a dispute concerning title that would affect
                distribution of payments.”     Koopmanns brought a
                declaratory judgment claim based on their dispute with
                Strieber, Burlington, and ConocoPhillips over ownership
                of a defeasible term, non-participating royalty interest
                Strieber reserved from the Deed to Gilbert and Lorene
                Koopmann (“Strieber’s NPRI”).
                a.       Are Koopmanns’ claims for breach of contract,
                         unjust enrichment, conversion, negligence, and
                         negligence per se, seeking royalties attributable to
                         Strieber's NPRI withheld during the ownership
                         dispute, barred as a matter of law by the Texas
                         Natural Resources Code?
                b.       Are Koopmanns’ claims for pre- and post-
                         judgment interest on royalties attributable to
                         Strieber’s NPRI barred as a matter of law by the
                         Texas Natural Resources Code?
        2.      Burlington’s obligation to pay royalties for Strieber’s
                NPRI arises solely from its oil and gas lease with
                Koopmanns.
                a.       Does the economic loss rule bar Koopmanns’
                         attempt to recover those royalty payments as

                                                      ii
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS (cont’d)
                                                                                                            Page

                          damages, plus interest, for conversion, negligence,
                          and negligence per se?
                 b.       Does the oil and gas lease bar Koopmanns’ claims
                          for unjust enrichment/money had and received
                          seeking unpaid royalties and interest?
        3.       Does Texas law permit Koopmanns to bring a claim for
                 conversion of unpaid royalty funds?
        4.       Does Texas law permit Koopmanns to bring claims for
                 negligence and negligence per se based on a shut-in
                 royalties payment on which Koopmanns did not rely and
                 which their counsel promptly returned?
        5.       Did the trial court properly grant the take-nothing
                 summary judgment?
        As to Strieber:
        Strieber asserted in a cross-claim that, if Koopmanns succeeded
        in obtaining a declaration of ownership rights under the Deed,
        then Burlington and ConocoPhillips breached a separate alleged
        oral contract between Strieber and Burlington or
        ConocoPhillips. After disposing of Koopmanns’ declaratory
        judgment claim by summary judgment, the trial court severed
        Strieber’s cross-claim. Did the trial court abuse its discretion in
        severing Strieber’s cross-claim?
INTRODUCTION .....................................................................................................1

STATEMENT OF FACTS ........................................................................................4

        A.       Different Parties’ Rights Are Governed by Different
                 Alleged Agreements ..............................................................................4

        B.       The Parties Disputed Ownership of Strieber’s NPRI............................5

                                                        iii
                                   TABLE OF CONTENTS (cont’d)
                                                                                                                     Page

         C.       Koopmanns and Strieber Added Claims Distinct from
                  Declaratory Relief .................................................................................6

         D.       The Trial Court Summarily Disposed of Koopmanns’
                  Claims and Severed Strieber’s Cross-Claim .........................................7

SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT ........................................................................8

ARGUMENT .............................................................................................................9

         A.       The Trial Court Properly Granted Summary Judgment
                  Against Koopmanns’ Non-Declaratory Claims ....................................9

                  1.        Payments were withheld as authorized by statute,
                            which prohibits interest...............................................................9

                  2.        Additional independent grounds support summary
                            judgment....................................................................................13

                            a.       The economic loss rule bars the tort claims ...................13

                            b.       Withheld royalty payments cannot be
                                     converted.........................................................................14

                            c.       As a matter of law, the shut-in payment
                                     caused no damage ...........................................................15

                            d.       The equitable claims are barred by contract...................16

         B.       The Trial Court Properly Severed Strieber’s Cross-Claim .................17

                  1.        The claims are not “interwoven” ..............................................17

                  2.        The summary declaratory judgment confirms
                            severance was proper ................................................................21

                  3.        Strieber cannot complain of alleged prejudice she
                            invited........................................................................................23

PRAYER ..................................................................................................................25

                                                            iv
                              TABLE OF CONTENTS (cont’d)
                                                                                                  Page

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE.......................................................................27

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE ................................................................................28

                                                   v
                                        INDEX OF AUTHORITIES
                                                                                                                   Page(s)

                                                          CASES
Browning Oil Co. v. Luecke,
   38 S.W.3d 625 (Tex. App.—Austin 2000, pet. denied) ...............................23, 24

Cherokee Water Co. v. Forderhause,
  641 S.W.2d 522 (Tex. 1982) ........................................................................34, 35

Collin County v. Hixon Family P’ship, Ltd.,
  365 S.W.3d 860 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2012, pets. denied) ..................................35

Concord Oil Co. v. Pennzoil Exploration & Prod. Co.,
  966 S.W.2d 451 (Tex. 1998) ............................................................22, 23, 24, 25

Dixon v. State,
   808 S.W.2d 721 (Tex. App.—Austin 1991, writ dism’d
   w.o.j.) ..................................................................................................................27

Edwin M. Jones Oil Co. v. Pend Oreille Oil & Gas Co.,
  794 S.W.2d 442 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 1990, writ
  denied).................................................................................................................22

Excel Corp. v. Valdez,
   921 S.W.2d 444 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 1996, orig.
   proceeding) .........................................................................................................35

F.F.P. Operating Partners, L.P. v. Duenez,
   237 S.W.3d 680 (Tex. 2007) ........................................................................31, 32

Forderhause v. Cherokee Water Co.,
  623 S.W.2d 435 (Tex. Civ. App.—Texarkana 1981), rev’d,
  641 S.W.2d 522 (Tex. 1982) ..............................................................................34

Fortune Prod. Co. v. Conoco, Inc.,
  52 S.W.3d 671 (Tex. 2000).................................................................................28

Garcia v. Willman,
  4 S.W.3d 307 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 1999, no pet.) .................................34

                                                              vi
                                 INDEX OF AUTHORITIES (cont’d)
                                                                                                                 Page(s)

Gore Oil Co. v. Roosth,
  158 S.W.3d 596 (Tex. App.—Eastland 2005, no pet.).......................................23

In re Greater McAllen Star Properties,
    444 S.W.3d 743 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi-Edinburg
    2014, no pet. hist.) ..............................................................................................36

Guaranty Fed. Savs. Bank v. Horseshoe Operating Co.,
  793 S.W.2d 652 (Tex. 1990) ..............................................................................29

Harrison v. Bass Enters. Prod. Co.,
  888 S.W.2d 532 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 1991, no writ) ............................26

Headington Oil Co., L.P. v. White,
  287 S.W.3d 204 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2009, no
  pet.) ...............................................................................................................23, 24

Henry S. Miller Mgmt. Corp. v. Houston State Assocs.,
  792 S.W.2d 128 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1990, writ
  denied).................................................................................................................36

Howell v. Tex. Workers’ Compensation Comm’n,
  143 S.W.3d 416 (Tex. App.—Austin 2004, pets. denied)..................................35

Iron Mountain Bison Ranch, Inc. v. Easely Trailer Mfg., Inc.,
   42 S.W.3d 149 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 2000, no pet.) ........................................28

Jim Walter Homes, Inc. v. Reed,
   711 S.W.2d 617 (Tex. 1986) ..............................................................................25

Levetz v. Sutton,
   404 S.W.3d 798 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2013, pet. denied)....................................33

Livingston Oil Corp. v. Waggoner,
   273 S.W. 903 (Tex. Civ. App.—Amarillo 1925, writ ref’d)..............................27

McGuire v. Commercial Union Ins. Co.,
  431 S.W.2d 347 (Tex. 1968) ..............................................................................34

                                                            vii
                                 INDEX OF AUTHORITIES (cont’d)
                                                                                                                Page(s)

In re McKillip-Odom,
    2007 WL 2045282 (Tex. App.—Tyler July 18, 2007, orig.
    proceeding) (mem. op.).................................................................................32, 33

Mitchell Energy Corp. v. Samson Resources Co.,
   80 F.3d 976 (5th Cir. 1996) ..........................................................................26, 27

Morgan v. Compugraphic Corp.,
  675 S.W.2d 729 (Tex. 1984) ........................................................................30, 36

Nabors Drilling, U.S.A., Inc. v. Escoto,
  288 S.W.3d 401 (Tex. 2009) ..............................................................................28

Newsome v. Charter Bank Colonial,
  940 S.W.2d 157 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 1996,
  writ denied) .........................................................................................................27

Protocol Tech. v. J.B. Grand Canyon Dairy,
   406 S.W.3d 609 (Tex. App.—Eastland 2013, no pet.).......................................28

RGV Healthcare Assocs., Inc. v. Estevis,
  294 S.W.3d 264 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi-Edinburg
  2009, pet. denied)................................................................................................35

S.W. Bell Tel. Co. v. DeLanney,
   809 S.W.2d 493 (Tex. 1991) ........................................................................25, 26

Santana Natural Gas Corp. v. Hamon Operating Co.,
   954 S.W.2d 885 (Tex. App.—Austin 1997, pet. denied) ...................................27

Smith v. Tex. Farmers Ins. Co.,
  82 S.W.3d 580 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2002, pets.
  denied).................................................................................................................34

State Dept. of Highways & Public Transp. v. Cotner,
   845 S.W.2d 818 (Tex. 1993) ........................................................................32, 33

Tex. Oil & Gas Corp. v. Vela,
   429 S.W.2d 866 (Tex. 1968) ..............................................................................24

                                                           viii
                               INDEX OF AUTHORITIES (cont’d)
                                                                                                             Page(s)

Union Gas Corp. v. Gisler,
  129 S.W.3d 145 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi-Edinburg
  2003, no pet.) ....................................................................................30, 31, 32, 33

CONSTITUTION, STATUTES, AND RULES
TEX. FIN. CODE §§304.002, 304.005........................................................................25

TEX. NAT. RES. CODE §91.402 .................................................. 14, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25

TEX. NAT. RES. CODE §91.402(a).............................................................................25

TEX. NAT. RES. CODE §91.402(b) ................................................................21, 23, 24

TEX. NAT. RES. CODE §91.402(d) ............................................................................21

TEX. NAT. RES. CODE §91.403(a).............................................................................21

TEX. NAT. RES. CODE §91.403(b) ............................................................................21

TEX. R. APP. P. 43.4..................................................................................................37

TEX. R. CIV. P. 40(a) ................................................................................................30

                                                          ix
                         CROSS-ISSUES RESTATED
Cross-Issues as to Koopmanns:

      1.    Texas Natural Resources Code §91.402 states royalty “payments may

be withheld without interest…when there is…a dispute concerning title that would

affect distribution of payments.”    Cross-Appellants (“Koopmanns”) brought a

declaratory judgment claim based on their dispute with Lois Strieber, Burlington

Resources Oil & Gas Co., L.P. (“Burlington”), and ConocoPhillips Company

(“ConocoPhillips”) over ownership of a defeasible term, non-participating royalty

interest Strieber reserved from the Deed to Gilbert and Lorene Koopmann

(“Strieber’s NPRI”). Until this ownership dispute is finally resolved, Burlington

has placed in suspense the royalties attributable to Strieber’s NPRI. In an attempt

to recover these royalties, as well as pre- and post-judgment interest thereon,

Koopmanns brought claims for breach of contract against Burlington, unjust

enrichment against ConocoPhillips, and conversion, negligence, and negligence

per se against Burlington and ConocoPhillips. The trial court denied these claims

through summary judgment.

      a.    Are Koopmanns’ claims for breach of contract, unjust enrichment,
            conversion, negligence, and negligence per se barred as a matter
            of law by the Texas Natural Resources Code?

      b.    Are Koopmanns’ claims for pre- and post-judgment interest on
            royalties attributable to Strieber’s NPRI barred as a matter of law
            by the Texas Natural Resources Code?

                                        x
      2.     Burlington’s obligation to pay royalties for Strieber’s NPRI arises

solely from its oil and gas lease with Koopmanns.

      a.     Does the economic loss rule bar Koopmanns’ attempt to recover
             those royalty payments as damages, plus interest, for conversion,
             negligence, and negligence per se?

      b.     Does the oil and gas lease bar Koopmanns’ claim for unjust
             enrichment for unpaid royalties and interest?

      3.     Does Texas law permit Koopmanns to bring a claim for conversion of

unpaid royalty funds?

      4.     Does Texas law permit Koopmanns to bring claims for negligence and

negligence per se based on a shut-in royalties payment on which Koopmanns did

not rely and which their counsel promptly returned?

      5.     Did the trial court properly grant the take-nothing summary

judgment?

Cross-Issue as to Strieber:

      Strieber asserted in a cross-claim that, if Koopmanns succeeded in obtaining

a declaration of ownership rights under the Deed, then Burlington and

ConocoPhillips breached a separate alleged oral contract between Strieber and

Burlington or ConocoPhillips.       After disposing of Koopmanns’ declaratory

judgment claim by summary judgment, the trial court severed Strieber’s cross-

claim. Did the trial court abuse its discretion in severing Strieber’s cross-claim?

                                          xi
                               INTRODUCTION
      Every side has found fault with the trial court’s judgment in this case. This

appeal consists of three main components. The first component is addressed in

Burlington and ConocoPhillips’ opening brief.       This Cross-Appellees’ Brief

addresses the second and third components.

      (1)   Burlington, ConocoPhillips, and Strieber appeal the trial court’s
            summary judgment declaring Koopmanns own Strieber’s NPRI as of
            December 27, 2011;

      (2)   Koopmanns cross-appeal the trial court’s take-nothing summary
            judgment against their remaining claims, seeking royalties attributable
            to Strieber’s NPRI (the “NPRI royalties”) placed in suspense during
            the ownership dispute, as well as interest thereon; and

      (3)   Strieber also appeals the trial court’s order severing her cross-claim
            against Burlington and ConocoPhillips after granting Koopmanns
            summary declaratory judgment.

      Resolving these issues takes us step-by-step down a straightforward path.

Well established legal principles light the way. Yet, Koopmanns—and even, at

times, Strieber—attempt to complicate matters by injecting unsupported fact

statements, irrelevant emotional pleas, and several abrupt reversals of positions

they advocated below.

      Indeed, Koopmanns devote much of their brief to casting aspersions on

Burlington and ConocoPhillips.       They imply, for example, some sort of

skullduggery in Strieber’s conveyance of 60% of her NPRI to Burlington through a

“secret” acquisition following months of “closed-door” meetings.       Koopmann-

                                        1
XANT:Br. 8. Yet, the record shows the Royalty Deed conveying the interest was

promptly and publicly filed in the county deed records, with no preceding

negotiations, just 41 days after Strieber’s sons approached ConocoPhillips with an

offer. 2CR:353, 376, 475-77. In addition to their lack of record support,1 these

sorts of allegations are irrelevant to the claims denied by summary judgment,

which are based on: (1) Burlington’s placing in suspense NPRI royalties during

the ownership dispute; and (2) Burlington’s shut-in royalty payment.

        Moreover, Koopmanns’ characterization of that ownership dispute in their

brief contrasts sharply with the position they used to garner a hefty attorneys’ fees

award under the Declaratory Judgments Act. Below, they sought declarations on

whether they or Strieber and Burlington own Strieber’s NPRI. In moving for DJA

attorneys’ fees, Koopmanns declared this ownership dispute was “heated” and the

heart of the case. 3CR:464. Koopmanns acknowledged the “complex” ownership

dispute presented “[n]ovel and difficult legal questions” requiring hundreds of

attorney work hours. 3CR:482.

        Nevertheless, on appeal, Koopmanns “vehemently contest” there is any

“legitimate title dispute ….” Koopmann-XANT:Br. 23 (emphasis omitted). The

reason for this abrupt about-face is simple: Texas Natural Resources Code section

91.402 authorizes a payor to withhold royalty payments, without interest, when a

1
    The Koopmanns’ record cites frequently do not support the associated statements.

                                          2
dispute concerning title exists that would affect distribution of payments. All

Koopmanns’ non-declaratory claims are based on NPRI royalties withheld during

the “heated” and “complex” ownership dispute.          For this and other reasons

discussed below, the trial court properly granted summary judgment against these

claims.

       Strieber also performs an about-face in presenting her appellate issue against

co-appellants Burlington and ConocoPhillips.         After the trial court granted

Koopmanns declaratory relief (3CR:455-56), Burlington and ConocoPhillips

moved to sever and stay Strieber’s cross-claim pending the declaratory judgment

appeal.    3CR:686-87.      The cross-claim concerned purported terms of an

independent alleged agreement by which Strieber assigned 60% of her NPRI to

Burlington. Strieber opposed severance. However, in the alternative the cross-

claim were severed, Strieber asked the trial court to deny the stay. The trial court

severed the cross claim and denied the stay. Yet, on appeal, Strieber contends the

severance is prejudicial because the cross-claim is not stayed. Strieber-ANT:Br. 5,

7-8.

       Opinions by the Texas Supreme Court, this Court, and other courts of

appeals confirm the trial court properly severed Strieber’s cross-claim. Moreover,

even if Strieber could complain of relief the trial court granted at her request, she

asks this Court to place her in the same situation she contends is “prejudicial:” to

                                          3
require trial of her cross-claim before deciding whether the threshold declaratory

judgment should be reversed. Strieber has not shown any abuse of discretion or

harm to support the severance order’s reversal.

                            STATEMENT OF FACTS
      Burlington and ConocoPhillips set forth below facts that are supported by

the record, undisputed, and relevant to the cross-issues.

A.    Different Parties’ Rights Are Governed by Different Alleged
      Agreements
      On December 27, 1996, Strieber conveyed the Tract to Gilbert and Lorene

Koopmann. 2CR:323-25. In the Deed, Strieber reserved a defeasible term, non-

participating royalty interest in one-half of the royalties from the Tract. 2CR:324.

Strieber’s NPRI was reserved for a period of 15 years “and as long thereafter as

there is production in paying or commercial quantities of oil, gas, or said other

minerals from said land or lands pooled therewith.” Id. The Deed contained a

saving clause defining circumstances under which it would be considered that

production in paying or commercial quantities was being obtained by the Tract as

of December 27, 2011. Id.

      Koopmanns’ interest in the Tract was leased to Hawke Enterprises,

Burlington’s predecessor-in-interest.     2CR:332-38.       This Lease, whose term

extends to October 22, 2012, governs payment of royalties to Koopmanns.

1CR:284; 2CR:462-676.

                                          4
      On July 6, 2011, Strieber’s sons approached Burlington about possibly

transferring a portion of Strieber’s NPRI. 2CR:353, 376. On August 16, 2011,

Strieber and Burlington entered into a Royalty Deed assigning 60% of Strieber’s

NPRI to Burlington. 2CR:475-77. Burlington promptly filed the Royalty Deed in

county deed records. 2CR:477.

      Strieber alleges Burlington or ConocoPhillips orally promised that, in

exchange for her assignment, Burlington or ConocoPhillips would drill multiple

wells, beginning with a well drilled, completed, and producing by December 27,

2011. Neither the Royalty Deed nor any other writing contains such promise.

1CR:173-74.

B.    The Parties Disputed Ownership of Strieber’s NPRI
      Ultimately, the parties disagreed whether Strieber’s NPRI terminated on

December 27, 2011. Koopmanns claim it did, asserting they now own 100% of

royalties from the Tract. 1CR:4, 10-11. Strieber, Burlington, and ConocoPhillips

contend the Rule Against Perpetuities bars Koopmanns’ ownership claim.

2CR:136-37, 192, 562-63. In addition, they contend Strieber’s NPRI continued in

effect under the Deed. Id. The parties’ dispute had several effects.

      First, consistent with its position that Strieber’s NPRI continued in effect,

Burlington sent Koopmanns a shut-in royalty payment in December 2011.

1CR:287, 319; 3CR:660-61.       Contrary to Koopmanns’ unsupported assertions

                                         5
(Koopmann-XANT:Br. 10-12), the undisputed evidence showed payment was made

according to standard procedure, a precaution against later assertions it was

necessary to preserve Strieber’s NPRI. 3CR:660-61. Koopmanns, consistent with

their own position, “promptly rejected and returned” the payment.         1CR:229.

Although Koopmanns alleged the payment was part of a “ruse,” they

acknowledged in pleadings and depositions they did not rely on the payment, were

not misled by it, and did not suffer any harm from it. 1CR:228-29; 3CR:639-41,

642, 651-52.     Indeed, Ralph Koopmann testified “I kind of laughed at

it…[b]ecause I knew it wasn’t right.” 3CR:640.

      Further, after Koopmanns informed Burlington they disputed ownership of

Strieber’s NPRI, Burlington placed in suspense all royalties attributable to

Strieber’s NPRI (i.e., one-half the royalties from the Tract) until the dispute is

resolved. 1CR:231. Burlington issued a division order for the other, undisputed

half of royalties, which have been paid to Koopmanns. See id.

      Finally, in 2012, Koopmanns filed suit for, inter alia, declarations under the

Deed that Strieber’s NPRI terminated on December 27, 2011, and they own 100%

of the royalties. 1CR:4, 10-11.

C.    Koopmanns and Strieber Added Claims Distinct from Declaratory
      Relief
      Beyond their declaratory judgment claim, Koopmanns pursued claims

against Burlington and ConocoPhillips for breach of contract, unjust enrichment,

                                         6
conversion, and negligence/negligence per se based on withholding of NPRI

royalties.2 1CR:239-53. In further support of the negligence/negligence per se

(“negligence”) claims, Koopmanns also discussed Burlington’s shut-in royalty

payment. 1CR:245, 251.

      Strieber later asserted a cross-claim against Burlington and ConocoPhillips.

Strieber still denied Koopmanns owned the NPRI.                E.g., 2CR:562-63.

Nonetheless, Strieber alleged, if Koopmanns prevailed, Burlington and

ConocoPhillips breached a contract with her.3        2CR:5.    While Koopmanns’

declaratory judgment claim centers on the 1996 Deed, Strieber’s contract claim

centers on an alleged 2011 oral agreement with Burlington or ConocoPhillips.

D.    The Trial Court Summarily Disposed of Koopmanns’ Claims and
      Severed Strieber’s Cross-Claim
      On competing motions, the trial court granted summary declaratory

judgment for Koopmanns. 3CR:455; 4CR:517.

      Burlington and ConocoPhillips moved to sever and stay Strieber’s cross-

claim pending appeal. 3CR:686, 698. Strieber opposed the severance, but also

asked the trial court to deny a stay if severance were granted. 4CR:360, 369.

2
 Koopmanns also asserted a tortious interference claim, which was dismissed as a
matter of law. 4CR:483. They do not appeal the dismissal. Koopmann-XANT:Br.
4.
3
 Strieber pleaded, but later non-suited, a negligent misrepresentation cross-claim.
2CR:5; 4CR:358.

                                         7
      The trial court granted a take-nothing summary judgment on Koopmanns’

remaining claims and severed Strieber’s cross-claim. 4CR:482-83, 495. The trial

court denied the stay, and the severed action was set for trial on March 2, 2015.

See 4CR:495. However, the parties agreed to pass the trial setting, which has not

been reset.

      The summary judgments and severance expressly merged into the final

judgment. 4CR:519-21.

                      SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT
      The ownership dispute over Strieber’s NPRI forms the heart of Koopmanns’

claims. The parties starkly disagree, triggering the Texas Natural Resources Code

provision allowing payors to withhold royalties without interest when a dispute

concerning title would affect their distribution. This statute protects lessees from

making duplicative payments to competing putative owners. As a matter of law,

the statute bars Koopmanns’ claims based on placement of NPRI royalties in

suspense. For this and other reasons, the trial court properly granted its take-

nothing summary judgment.

      The trial court also properly severed Strieber’s cross-claim against

Burlington and ConocoPhillips.      4CR:495.     Unlike Koopmanns’ declaratory

judgment claim, the cross-claim asserted breach of a different contract allegedly

formed between Strieber and either Burlington or ConocoPhillips.            2CR:4.

                                         8
Furthermore, the cross-claim was severed after the threshold NPRI ownership

question had been resolved by summary judgment. 2CR:5; 3CR:455, 495. The

severance order falls well within the trial court’s discretion and should not be

disturbed.

                                   ARGUMENT

A.    The Trial Court Properly Granted Summary Judgment Against
      Koopmanns’ Non-Declaratory Claims

      1.     Payments were withheld as authorized by statute, which prohibits
             interest
      Koopmanns’ declaratory judgment claim highlights the parties’ vigorous

dispute over ownership of Strieber’s NPRI.          Koopmanns’ other claims seek

damages and interest based on withholding of NPRI royalties. However, the Texas

Natural Resources Code provides that royalty “payments may be withheld without

interest…when there is...a dispute concerning title that would affect distribution of

payments.” TEX. NAT. RES. CODE §91.402(b). Consistent with this provision, the

statutorily prescribed division order form states: “In the event of a claim or dispute

that affects title to the division of interest credited herein, payor is authorized to

withhold payments accruing to such interest, without interest unless otherwise

required by applicable statute, until the claim or dispute is settled.” Id. §91.402(d).

In addition, section 91.403(b) provides that the interest rate prescribed by section

91.403(a) “does not apply where payments are withheld or suspended” under

section 91.402.

                                          9
      As a matter of law, the Code bars Koopmanns’ non-declaratory claims. See

id.; Edwin M. Jones Oil Co. v. Pend Oreille Oil & Gas Co., 794 S.W.2d 442, 450

(Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 1990, writ denied) (holding a “title dispute” existed

where lawsuit’s subject matter and evidence showed parties disputed royalty

payments’ ownership). In an attempt to avoid the statute, Koopmanns argue the

title dispute is not “legitimate.” Koopmann-XANT:Br. 26. Yet, in support of DJA

attorneys’ fees below, Koopmanns argued “the heart of this case was the

construction of a deed, including a heated dispute over whether a reserved term

royalty interest held by [Strieber] expired on December 27, 2011.” 3CR:464.

Koopmanns characterized their efforts to establish title as complex, requiring

hundreds of attorney hours to address “novel and difficult legal questions” on title

issues. 3CR:482. The trial court awarded Koopmanns $190,000 in DJA trial

attorneys’ fees. 4CR:520-21. Having obtained this award based on a complicated

title dispute, Koopmanns cannot now argue the title dispute was illegitimate.

      The dispute over who owns Strieber’s NPRI supports the right to withhold

NPRI royalties, even pending appeal. For example, in Concord Oil Company v.

Pennzoil Exploration and Production Company, 966 S.W.2d 451, 461 (Tex. 1998),

two interest owners claimed the right to proceeds based on competing deed

interpretations. The Supreme Court rejected Pennzoil’s interpretation and held

                                        10
Concord was entitled to the proceeds Pennzoil had withheld.4                Id. at 459.

Nevertheless, the Court also determined Pennzoil was statutorily entitled to

withhold those proceeds until the Court resolved the title dispute. Id. at 461.

      Likewise, disagreement over the correct ownership percentages, which

always affects the payor’s “ability to distribute” royalties, presents a legitimate title

dispute. Headington Oil Co., L.P. v. White, 287 S.W.3d 204, 210, 212 (Tex.

App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2009, no pet.) Similarly, when parties dispute the

amount of royalty interest held by a grantor’s successor under a deed, the title

dispute triggers the statute.5 Id. at 210-11 (analogizing Gore Oil Co. v. Roosth,

158 S.W.3d 596 (Tex. App.—Eastland 2005, no pet.)).

      By contrast, cases in which courts have declined to apply section 91.402(b)

typically involve deliberate contractual breaches not based upon disputed title.

See, e.g., Browning Oil Co. v. Luecke, 38 S.W.3d 625 (Tex. App.—Austin 2000,

pet. denied). The Browning payor did not dispute the plaintiffs’ entitlement to

royalties, but instead disagreed over how to calculate the payments. Id. at 632; see

4
  Concord directly contradicts Koopmanns’ argument that section 91.402’s only
purpose “is to extinguish a plaintiff’s/lessor’s right to recover prejudgment interest
when the defendant/lessee obtains a favorable verdict.” Defendant/lessee Pennzoil
lost, but still obtained section 91.402’s protections. Compare Koopmann-
XANT:Br. 23-24 (emphasis added) with Concord, 966 S.W.2d at 461.
5
 Koopmanns repeatedly assert section 91.402(b) does not provide safe harbor for a
payor to withhold payments. Yet, the Headington court observed section 91.402’s
very purpose is to “permit delays that result from legitimate title disputes.” 287
S.W.3d at 210.

                                           11
also Headington, 287 S.W.3d at 211 (distinguishing Browning as involving claims

“not from disputes about the amount of the interest or who owned it”). Here, the

situation is opposite Browning. The parties do not dispute how royalties should be

calculated, but instead disagree over who is entitled to receive those payments, i.e.,

a title dispute. See Headington, 287 S.W.3d at 212.

      Burlington’s partial ownership of Strieber’s NPRI does not remove section

91.402’s protections. See Concord, 966 S.W.2d at 462. To the contrary, the

Supreme Court expressly held section 91.402(b) applies equally when a payor

“unsuccessfully asserts that it is entitled to some or all of the proceeds.” Id.

      Each of Koopmanns’ additional claims is based on Burlington’s and/or

ConocoPhillips’ failure to pay, or exercise of dominion or control over, NPRI

royalties. 1CR:239-53. Koopmanns’ contract claim alleges Burlington’s failure to

pay NPRI royalties breached the Lease.6         The unjust enrichment/money had and

received claim alleges ConocoPhillips retained possession and benefit of NPRI

royalties. 1CR:241. The conversion claims allege Burlington and ConocoPhillips

wrongfully exercised dominion and control over NPRI royalties. 1CR:243-44,

247-48. The negligence claims are based on acts or omissions giving rise to the

failure to pay NPRI royalties. 1CR:244-47, 251-52. And, the claims for pre- and
6
 Although Koopmans contend the Code does not apply to contract claims, the only
possible basis for an obligation to pay a lessor royalties—i.e., the payments that
may be withheld under section 91.402—is an oil and gas lease. E.g., Tex. Oil &
Gas Corp. v. Vela, 429 S.W.2d 866, 870 (Tex. 1968).

                                           12
post-judgment interest seek to add interest to the amounts of withheld NPRI

royalties.

      As a matter of law, section 91.402 authorized Burlington to withhold NPRI

royalties, without penalty of interest.7 See Concord, 966 S.W.2d at 462. Equally,

the statute extends to ConocoPhillips in administering Burlington’s leasehold

obligations. Compare TEX. NAT. RES. CODE §91.402(a) (applying to any “payor”)

with 3CR:681-82 (explaining ConocoPhillips’ role). The trial court’s take-nothing

summary judgment should be affirmed.

      2.     Additional independent grounds support summary judgment

             a.   The economic loss rule bars the tort claims
      Independently of section 91.402, the economic loss rule bars Koopmanns’

conversion and negligence claims. “When the injury is only the economic loss to

the subject of a contract itself, the action sounds in contract alone.” Jim Walter

Homes, Inc. v. Reed, 711 S.W.2d 617, 618 (Tex. 1986).           Moreover, when a

defendant’s only duty arises from a contract whose benefit the plaintiff seeks to

recover, there is no viable negligence claim. See S.W. Bell Tel. Co. v. DeLanney,

809 S.W.2d 493, 495 (Tex. 1991).

7
  Contrary to Koopmanns’ argument, the Finance Code does not support post-
judgment interest. The final judgment is neither a “money judgment” nor based on
a contract. Compare TEX. FIN. CODE §§304.002, 304.005 with 4CR:517-22.

                                       13
      Koopmanns’ tort claims are based on actions governed by the Lease.

1CR:243-54. Any duties to properly inspect royalty-related documents, make

proper royalty payments, or pay shut-in royalties arose under the Lease. Compare

1CR:244-46, 251-53 with DeLanney, 809 S.W.2d at 495. Indeed, Koopmanns

allege negligence through failure to “manage and administer the lease,” “execute

the contract with the level of care” required, and cooperate “in the performance of

the Lease/contract.” 1CR:244-45, 251-52 (emphasis added).

      Absent the Lease, Burlington and ConocoPhillips would have no obligation

to pay royalties to Koopmanns, which are the only damages sought.               See

DeLanney, 809 S.W.2d at 495.        As this Court has held, tort claims seeking

recovery of unpaid royalties are barred by the rules articulated in DeLanney.

Harrison v. Bass Enters. Prod. Co., 888 S.W.2d 532, 536 (Tex. App.—Corpus

Christi 1991, no writ) (applying DeLanney where “the only damages Harrison

claims are the unpaid royalties—the subject matter of the contract”).

            b.     Withheld royalty payments cannot be converted
      Under Texas law, money can be converted only when it takes the form of

specific chattel, such as old coins, or “when the money is delivered to another

party for safekeeping, the keeper claims no title, and the money is required and

intended to be segregated, either substantially in the form in which it was received

or as an intact fund.” Mitchell Energy Corp. v. Samson Resources Co., 80 F.3d
14
976, 984 (5th Cir. 1996)8 (citing Dixon v. State, 808 S.W.2d 721, 723 (Tex. App.—

Austin 1991, writ dism’d w.o.j.). An obligation requiring mere payment of money

will not support a conversion claim. E.g., Newsome v. Charter Bank Colonial, 940
S.W.2d 157, 161 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 1996, writ denied).

      Koopmanns cite Livingston Oil Corp. v. Waggoner, 273 S.W. 903 (Tex. Civ.

App.—Amarillo 1925, writ ref’d), and Santana Natural Gas Corp. v. Hamon

Operating Co., 954 S.W.2d 885, 892 (Tex. App.—Austin 1997, pet. denied), for

the proposition that minerals brought to the surface and severed from real property

can be converted.     However, Koopmanns’ conversion claim makes no such

allegation, asserting instead the withholding of “royalty payments,” i.e., money

payments. See, e.g., 1CR:243; Koopmann-XANT:Br. 20. As a matter of law, these

payments cannot be converted. See Mitchell, 80 F.3d at 983; Newsome, 940

S.W.2d at 161.

            c.      As a matter of law, the shut-in payment caused no damage
      In support of their negligence claims, Koopmanns point to both withheld

royalties and Burlington’s shut-in royalty payment. In addition to establishing the

early payment breached some duty (even though not prohibited by the Lease

(1CR:273-79, 286-97)), Koopmanns must show the payment proximately caused

8
  The Fifth Circuit examined Texas law and concluded “no conversion action lies”
for working/royalty interest owners who complain they have not received royalties
due. Mitchell, 80 F.3d at 983-84.

                                        15
some damage. See Nabors Drilling, U.S.A., Inc. v. Escoto, 288 S.W.3d 401, 404

(Tex. 2009). Although Koopmanns make unsupported allegations that the shut-in

royalty payment was meant to fool them, they averred they were not fooled and,

instead, “laughed” and immediately returned the payments. 3CR:639-41, 642,

651-52. As a matter of law, the payments did not proximately cause any damages.

            d.     The equitable claims are barred by contract
      Koopmanns’ equitable claims for unjust enrichment and money had and

received also fail as a matter of law because an express contract covers the

disputed issue. See Fortune Prod. Co. v. Conoco, Inc., 52 S.W.3d 671, 683-84

(Tex. 2000). Koopmanns’ equitable claims are based on the failure to pay NPRI

royalties. Any obligation to make royalty payments to Koopmanns is governed by

the Lease. The Lease’s bar against equitable claims regarding withheld royalty

payments applies equally to Burlington as a contracting party and ConocoPhillips

as a third party administering the Lease. See Protocol Tech. v. J.B. Grand Canyon

Dairy, 406 S.W.3d 609, 614 (Tex. App.—Eastland 2013, no pet.); Iron Mountain

Bison Ranch, Inc. v. Easely Trailer Mfg., Inc., 42 S.W.3d 149, 160 (Tex. App.—

Amarillo 2000, no pet.).

      For each of the reasons set forth above, the trial court properly granted take-

nothing summary judgment against Koopmanns’ non-declaratory claims.

                                        16
B.    The Trial Court Properly Severed Strieber’s Cross-Claim
      A claim is properly severable if: (1) the controversy involves multiple

claims; (2) the severed claim could be the proper subject of a lawsuit if asserted

independently; and (3) the severed claim is not so interwoven with the remaining

action that they involve the same facts and issues. Guaranty Fed. Savs. Bank v.

Horseshoe Operating Co., 793 S.W.2d 652, 658 (Tex. 1990). In challenging the

trial court’s severance of her cross-claim, Strieber does not dispute the first two

prongs are met. Strieber-ANT:Br. 5. Instead, Strieber contends her cross-claim

against Burlington and ConocoPhillips for breach of an alleged oral contract is so

interwoven as to be inseparable from Koopmanns’ request for declaratory

judgment under the 1996 Deed.

      Strieber fails to recognize three important points:

      •     First, it is possible for two claims to share some common facts and
            issues without being “interwoven.”

      •     Second, courts have broad discretion to sever live claims from a
            completed claim to expedite finality and appeal.

      •     Third, Strieber is not being “forced” to litigate her cross-claim and
            this appeal concurrently because of the severance, but rather due to
            her own request that the trial court deny any stay of the severed claim.

      1.    The claims are not “interwoven”
      Two claims are not “interwoven” simply because they involve some

common issues and facts. For example, permissive counter- or cross-claims may

be asserted in the same lawsuit as a plaintiff’s claims if they arise from a common

                                         17
transaction/occurrence and share some common legal or factual questions. TEX. R.

CIV. P. 40(a).    If this level of commonality rendered claims unseverable, no

severance ever would be permitted. Yet, a review of the case law demonstrates

that, if a claim could be brought in a separate lawsuit (as Strieber concedes her

cross-claim could), it is rarely “so interwoven” as to preclude severance. Instead,

the “interwoven” standard requires a pervasive identity of issues creating a real

danger of duplicative trials.

      For example, claims involving the exact same damages sought for the exact

same injury are not so “interwoven” to preclude severance. The Texas Supreme

Court has affirmed severance of claims against multiple defendants for joint and

several damages from indivisible injuries. Morgan v. Compugraphic Corp., 675
S.W.2d 729, 733-34 (Tex. 1984). These claims necessarily rested on common

facts and evidence. Id. at 733. However, each claim could have been brought

separately, and default judgment against one defendant averted two trials on

liability (though not on damages). Id. at 734. The Supreme Court found no abuse

of discretion in the severance. Id.

      Likewise, two claims are not “interwoven” simply because they involve

common contract interpretation issues. This Court has addressed whether claims

for breaches of various oil and gas leases could be severed from each other. Union

Gas Corp. v. Gisler, 129 S.W.3d 145, 155 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi-Edinburg

                                        18
2003, no pet.). All the contract claims involved interpretation of a single unit

designation governing pooled leases. Id. Despite this common denominator, the

separate leases between different parties made the ultimate questions of breach

“[s]eparate and discreet,” supporting severance.     Id.   The Court distinguished

severable claims based on separate contracts between different parties from

unseverable claims based on “but one contract, one set of facts, and one set of

issues.” Id.

      Just as two claims involving a common contract or indivisible injuries are

not so interwoven to preclude severance, two claims are not “interwoven” simply

because the one claim’s outcome constitutes a threshold to the other. In Union

Gas, this Court also addressed severability of claims for breach of oil and gas

leases from threshold claims for bad-faith pooling. Id. at 148, 155. A finding of

bad-faith pooling could have eliminated royalties owed under some of the leases,

which, in turn, would have affected the amounts owed to other royalty owners. Id.

at 148. However, the contract claims could have been asserted separately. Id. at

155. Furthermore, the bad faith claim presented tort issues and facts “rang[ing]

well beyond the more narrow confines” of the contract questions. Id. Despite the

threshold connection, the claims were properly severed.       Id.; see also F.F.P.

Operating Partners, L.P. v. Duenez, 237 S.W.3d 680, 694 (Tex. 2007) (stating

indemnity claim is properly severable from underlying liability claim).

                                        19
      In this case, Koopmanns’ declaratory judgment claim and Strieber’s cross-

claim are based on two different alleged agremeents between different parties. See

Union Gas, 129 S.W.3d at 155. Koopmanns sought a declaration of their rights

under the 1996 Deed with Strieber. Once that threshold question was decided,

Strieber’s contingent cross-claim focused entirely on formation and breach of a

purported 2011 oral contract to which Koopmanns are not parties.              2CR:5.

Strieber’s cross-claim is not “interwoven” simply because she premised it on

Koopmanns’ obtaining declaratory relief. See Duenez, 237 S.W.3d at 694 (stating

that indemnity claim, as opposed to contribution claim for proportionate

responsibility, is properly severable from threshold liability claim); Union Gas,

129 S.W.3d at 155 (holding that threshold bad-faith pooling claim was severable

from contract claims).

      Unlike Koopmanns’ and Strieber’s claims based on different contracts

between different parties, the claims in the four cases discussed in Strieber’s brief

involved one inseparable set of facts and issues. Duenez, Cotner, and McKillip-

Odom involved personal injury claims arising out of a single car accident. In

Duenez, the court refused to sever a contribution cross-claim seeking to impose

proportionate (not joint and several) liability for the same drunk driving accident

on which the plaintiff sued. 237 S.W.3d at 693-94. In Cotner, the Texas Supreme

Court noted in dicta that the plaintiff-driver’s claim and plaintiff-passenger’s claim

                                         20
against a single defendant could not be severed. State Dept. of Highways & Public

Transp. v. Cotner, 845 S.W.2d 818, 819 (Tex. 1993). And in McKillip-Odom, the

plaintiff-passenger’s claims were not severable from the plaintiff-driver’s claims

and defendant’s contribution claims. In re McKillip-Odom, 2007 WL 2045282, at

*2-3 (Tex. App.—Tyler July 18, 2007, orig. proceeding) (mem. op.).

      The remaining case—Levetz—involved a contract, but only one:                 a

settlement agreement. Levetz v. Sutton, 404 S.W.3d 798, 801 (Tex. App.—Dallas

2013, pet. denied). The appellate court held the plaintiff’s breach of contract claim

could not be severed from the defendant’s lack of capacity defense. Id. at 802-03.

Levetz exemplifies the “one contract, one set of facts, and one set of issues” this

Court found distinguishable in Union Gas. See 129 S.W.3d at 155 (affirming

severance of claims sharing certain interpretation questions but ultimately based on

separate contracts).

      Far from involving a single car accident or one contract, Koopmanns’

declaratory judgment claim and Strieber’s cross-claim are based on two separate

alleged agreements, disparate facts, and independent issues. The trial court acted

within its discretion in severing the cross-claim.

      2.     The summary declaratory judgment confirms severance was
             proper
      The severance’s propriety is further confirmed by the summary declaratory

judgment that preceded it. The interest in avoiding duplicative trials of the exact

                                          21
same issues is notably absent when a live claim is severed from claims resolved

summarily, e.g., by partial summary judgment, default judgment, dismissal, or

agreement. See, e.g., McGuire v. Commercial Union Ins. Co., 431 S.W.2d 347,

351 (Tex. 1968); Smith v. Tex. Farmers Ins. Co., 82 S.W.3d 580, 588 (Tex. App.—

San Antonio 2002, pets. denied). This type of severance, even if done solely to

expedite appellate review, is not an abuse of discretion. Cherokee Water Co. v.

Forderhause, 641 S.W.2d 522, 526 (Tex. 1982); Garcia v. Willman, 4 S.W.3d 307,

311-12 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 1999, no pet.).

      In Cherokee Water, the plaintiff sought declaratory judgment that its

purchase right under a deed conveying mineral interests included the right to lease

the land. Forderhause v. Cherokee Water Co., 623 S.W.2d 435, 440 (Tex. Civ.

App.—Texarkana 1981), rev’d, 641 S.W.2d 522 (Tex. 1982). The defendants

asserted a counterclaim for reformation if the trial court construed the deed to

include a lease. Id. After a summary judgment construing the deed to include a

lease, the trial court severed the reformation claim and set it for trial. Id. at 437.

Both claims arose out of the same instrument. Id. at 440. Yet, the Texas Supreme

Court held the trial court did not abuse its discretion in severing the live claim after

the threshold claim was disposed by summary judgment. Cherokee Water, 641

S.W.2d at 526.

                                          22
      As in Cherokee Water, Strieber conditioned her cross-claim on Koopmanns’

obtaining declaratory relief. 2CR:5. After summarily granting declaratory relief,

the trial court acted within its discretion in severing Strieber’s cross-claim. See

641 S.W.2d at 526.

      3.    Strieber cannot complain of alleged prejudice she invited
      Although there is no danger of duplicative trials here due to the summary

judgment, Strieber argues she is prejudiced by moving forward with her cross-

claim and this appeal simultaneously. Strieber-ANT:Br. 5, 7-8. She argues “all

that judicial time and expense [in trying the severed cross-claim] will have been

wasted” if this Court ultimately reverses the declaratory judgment.9 Strieber-

ANT:Br. 8. This same situation existed in Cherokee Water, where severance was

proper. See 641 S.W.2d at 526. Moreover, competing interests such as alleged

prejudice or judicial economy are matters committed to the trial court’s discretion

that will not be re-adjudicated on appeal. See RGV Healthcare Assocs., Inc. v.

Estevis, 294 S.W.3d 264, 269 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi-Edinburg 2009, pet.

denied); Excel Corp. v. Valdez, 921 S.W.2d 444, 448 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi

1996, orig. proceeding).

9
  Strieber does not identify any other source of alleged prejudice. See Collin
County v. Hixon Family P’ship, Ltd., 365 S.W.3d 860, 877-78 (Tex. App.—Dallas
2012, pets. denied); Howell v. Tex. Workers’ Compensation Comm’n, 143 S.W.3d
416, 439 (Tex. App.—Austin 2004, pets. denied).

                                        23
      Moreover, Strieber is estopped from complaining about this situation. In

opposing the motion to sever and stay her cross-claim, Strieber argued that “[e]ven

if the Court were to order severance of Mrs. Strieber’s claims into a separate

cause of action, it should not stay further proceedings until the Burlington

Defendants, or Plaintiffs for that matter, are satisfied that all appellate remedies are

exhausted.” 4CR:369 (emphasis added). Having asked the trial court to move

forward with her severed cross-claim, Strieber cannot complain she is prejudiced

thereby. See In re Greater McAllen Star Properties, 444 S.W.3d 743, 749 (Tex.

App.—Corpus Christi-Edinburg 2014, no pet. hist.).

      Finally, the severance does not prejudice Strieber. Strieber does not ask this

Court to stay her cross-claim pending a decision on Koopmanns’ declaratory

judgment. Instead, she asks the Court to vacate the severance and remand her

cross-claim for immediate trial while this appeal is abated, i.e. before ownership of

Strieber’s NPRI is finally decided. Strieber-ANT:Br. 11. Thus, both the existing

severance and Strieber’s request on appeal carry equal risk that ultimate reversal of

the declaratory judgment will render trial of her cross-claim a waste.

      The lack of prejudice further confirms severance was proper. In addition,

the lack of prejudice shows that, even if the severance constituted error, no harm

exists to support reversal. See Morgan, 675 S.W.2d at 734; Henry S. Miller Mgmt.

                                          24
Corp. v. Houston State Assocs., 792 S.W.2d 128, 133 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st

Dist.] 1990, writ denied).

                                        PRAYER
      WHEREFORE, Cross-Appellees ConocoPhillips Company and Burlington

Resources Oil & Gas Co., L.P. respectfully request the Court affirm the trial

court’s partial summary judgment that Koopmanns take nothing on their non-

declaratory claims and affirm the trial court’s severance order, both of which

merged into the final judgment. Cross-Appellees further request they be awarded

their costs on appeal, or alternatively, if the Court grants relief to more than one

side, that costs on appeal be assessed against the party incurring same. See TEX. R.

APP. P. 43.4. Cross-Appellees also request all other and further relief to which they

may be entitled at law and in equity.

                                          25
Respectfully submitted,

      /s/ Michael V. Powell
Michael V. Powell
 State Bar No. 169204400
W. Scott Hastings
 State Bar No. 24002241
Kirsten M. Castañeda
 State Bar No. 00792401
Elizabeth L. Tiblets
 State Bar No. 24066194
LOCKE LORD LLP
2200 Ross Avenue, Suite 2200
Dallas, Texas 75201-6776
(214) 740-8000
(214) 740-8800 (fax)

Kevin D. Cullen
 State Bar No. 05208625
CULLEN, CARSNER, SEERDEN
& CULLEN, L.L.P.
119 South Main Street
Victoria, Texas 77902
(361) 573-6318
(361) 573-2603 (fax)

COUNSEL FOR APPELLANTS/
CROSS-APPELLEES CONOCOPHILLIPS
COMPANY AND BURLINGTON
RESOURCES OIL & GAS LP

 26
                      CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE
       Pursuant to Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.4(i)(3), the undersigned
certifies that this Brief complies with the length limitations of Rule 9.4(i) and the
typeface requirements of Rule 9.4(e).

      1.     Exclusive of the contents excluded by Rule 9.4(i)(1), this Brief
contains     5,369         words as counted by the Word Count function (including
textboxes, footnotes, and endnotes) of Microsoft Office Word 2010.

      2.     This Brief has been prepared in proportionally spaced typeface using:

             Software Name and Version: Microsoft Office Word 2010
             Typeface Name: Times New Roman
             Font Size: 14 point

                                             /s/ Kirsten M. Castañeda
                                       Kirsten M. Castañeda

                                         27
                         CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
       I hereby certify that on February 19, 2015, a true and correct copy of this
Brief is served by e-service through efile.txcourts.gov on Appellant Strieber and on
Appellees/Cross-Appellants through their respective counsel of record, listed
below:

Mike Johanson                                  D. Mitchell McFarland
 mjohanson&JandFLaw.com                         State Bar No. 13597700
Christopher Michael Volf                        mmcfarland@munsch.com
 cvolf@jandflaw.com                            Carrie Schadle
Todd Taylor                                     State Bar No. 24051618
 ttaylor@jandflaw.com                           cschadle@munsch.com
JOHANSON & FAIRLESS, L.L.C.                    MUNSCH HARDT KOPF & HARR
1456 First Colony Blvd.                           PC
Sugarland, Texas 77479                         700 Milam Street, Suite 2700
Counsel for Appellees/Cross-Appellants         Houston, Texas 77002-2806
                                               Counsel for Appellant Strieber
Ronald B. Walker
 State Bar No. 20728300                       Errol John Dietze
 rwalker@walkerkeeling.com                      State Bar No. 05858000
WALKER KEELING, L.L.P.                          ejd@dietze-reese.com
120 S. Main, Suite 500                        DIETZE & REESE
P.O. Box 108                                  108 North Esplanade Street
Victoria, Texas 77902                         P.O. Box 841
Counsel for Appellees/Cross-Appellants       Cuero, Texas 77954
                                             Counsel for Appellant Strieber

                                            /s/ Kirsten M. Castañeda
                                      Kirsten M. Castañeda

                                        28