Court Opinion

ID: 9662910
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-23 23:22:02.728429+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:14:43.792709
License: Public Domain

HECHT, Justice,
dissenting.
I dissent. I agree with the Court that the only issue presented to us in this quantum meruit case is whether there is any evidence that Vortt Exploration Company, Inc. gave Chevron U.S.A., Inc. seismic information under circumstances as reasonably notified Chevron that Vortt expected to be paid for the information. See Bash-am v. Baptist Memorial Hosp. Sys., 685 S.W.2d 307, 310 (Tex.1985). I disagree with the Court’s conclusion that there is such evidence in this record.
The pertinent evidence is essentially undisputed. Vortt tried for years to persuade Chevron to agree to develop jointly certain mineral interests, but Chevron refused to make such an agreement. At one point in the negotiations, Vortt decided to “share” seismic information with Chevron “in the spirit of cooperation”, in hopes that Chevron would agree to jointly develop the mineral interests. Chevron’s representatives never asked to see the information. Vortt’s representative never told Chevron that Vortt expected anything in return for the information. Indeed, Vortt’s representative never expected Vortt to be paid for the information, and absolutely the only *946thing Vortt expected to gain by giving the information to Chevron was favorable consideration of the proposed agreement. Under these circumstances, the Court says, Chevron should reasonably have expected to pay Vortt for the information. The information cost Vortt roughly $18,000. The trial court ordered Chevron to pay Vortt $178,750 for it.
Was ever fainter hope more richly rewarded? For not refusing to look at Vortt’s information, Chevron must pay ten times its cost. The Court’s ruling today should be a tremendous encouragement to benefaction. A frustrated negotiator should never overlook this tactic in attempting to induce agreement. The recipient of such charity, however, should beware.
I would hold that Chevron could not reasonably have expected to pay when Vortt did not expect to be paid. Accordingly, I would affirm the judgment of the court of appeals.
PHILLIPS, C.J., and GONZALEZ, J., join in this dissenting opinion.