Texas Court Granted Oil Well Access
An appeals court ruled that an operator may cross private land to plug an inactive oil well.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Oil and Gas
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The Texas Thirteenth Court of Appeals affirmed a ruling that allows Allegiant Resources LLC to enter the Dierlam Ranch. The company must cross the private property to access an inactive well situated near the San Antonio River.
Why it matters
The operator sought access to address environmental risks posed by the well, which has remained inactive for over a decade. Allegiant Resources LLC warned that failure to complete the plugging work could result in roughly $50 million in financial losses.
The operator estimated potential losses of $50 million if site work is not completed. Historical records show the ranch received over $120,000 in access payments between 1996 and June 2015.
The players
Allegiant Resources LLC
This company is the current operator of the Remora Oil Unit and is responsible for site maintenance.
Texas Thirteenth Court of Appeals
This judicial body is responsible for hearing appeals from trial courts in the surrounding counties of South Texas.
The details
Allegiant Resources LLC, which became the operator of the Remora Oil Unit in 2021, requested access to plug the inactive well and remove surface equipment. The court granted a limited right of entry after the ranch owner halted access following a visit in August 2022.
Timeline
Payments for access to the ranch occurred between 1996 and June 2015.
Operators were blocked from a 1,604-acre tract in 2004.
Allegiant Resources LLC became the operator in 2021.
The ranch owner refused further access to the site in August 2022.
The appeals court issued its opinion on October 1, 2026.
Market Landscape
This case highlights the ongoing tension between surface rights and mineral estates in the Texas energy industry. The ruling affirms the precedence of operational necessity in environmental mitigation over private property access refusals.
The court's decision establishes that operators may perform mandated environmental work on private property despite objections from landowners. Property owners in the region should review existing mineral leases to understand potential access agreements.
The takeaway
Energy operators must balance regulatory mandates with property owner rights to avoid prolonged legal disputes. Ensuring clear documentation for access agreements remains a critical component for both landowners and operators in the Texas oil industry.
Further reading
For more on industry regulatory requirements, visit the Oil and Gas section.
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