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SOUTHEAST TEXAS RECORD

Friday, April 19, 2024

Premcor and Valero sue property owner over threat of digging near pipelines

Eaves

A natural gas provider claims it faces the possibility of disruption in its gas services if a Beaumont resident is allowed to dig into property that contains the pipelines.

The Premcor Pipeline Co. and Valero Terminaling and Distribution Company filed a lawsuit June 7 in Jefferson County District Court against Tracy Sahualla.

In their complaint, Premcor and Valero allege they own a right-of-way that contains 42.4 miles of pipeline on property at 7843 Patterson Rd. in Beaumont owned by Sahualla.

However, Sahualla is threatening to dig, trench, excavate, channel and interrupt the land under and above the pipelines, according to the complaint.

"Unless Defendant is immediately restrained by this court from digging, trenching, excavating, channeling, and/or in any way interrupting the land under and above which the above-referenced lines are buried, Defendant's actions would cause immediate and irreparable harm, including, but not limited to, extensive property damage to the surrounding real and personal property and possible personal injuries if Plaintiffs' lines are damaged or their integrity compromised, and there is an escape of liquid petroleum gas, or other materials being transported in said lines due to Defendant digging, trenching, excavating, channeling, and/or in any way interrupting the land under and above which the above-referenced lines are buried," the suit states.

Premcor and Valero seek a permanent injunction that would prohibit Sahualla from digging the land. It also seeks costs, interest at the legal rate and other relief the court deems just.

Michael K. Eaves and Alex J. Stelly Jr. of Calvert, Eaves, Clarke and Stelly in Beaumont will be representing them.

Judge Gary Sanderson, 60th District Court, has been assigned to the case.

Jefferson County District Court case number: B192-543.

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