In a year's time, the plaintiffs in an oil & gas lease royalty lawsuit against BP America have amended their petition five times, with the newest edition filed earlier this month.
Plaintiffs Thomas Lee Jr., Margaret and Janet Isaacks, Lucy Lamme, Lana Cureton, Donna Lee and Irene Pagan filed suit against BP and Cimarex Energy on March 14 in Jefferson Court District Court.
BP answered the suit a month later and requested that the venue be transferred to Harris County "on the grounds that neither mandatory or permissive venue exists in Jefferson County," according to court papers.
In their 5th amended petition, filed Feb. 1, the plaintiffs argue that jurisdiction is mandatory in Jefferson County because the real property at issue is located within the county.
The plaintiffs claim BP and co-defendant Cimarex Energy have failed and refused to honor their nonparticipating royalty interest and have refused to pay any royalty to them.
They are seeking declaratory relief and an award of damages sustained.
Houston attorney Mano Deayala of Buck Keenan represents them.
Woodlands attorney Craig Stahl of Andrews Kurth represents BP.
Judge Bob Wortham, 58th District Court, is assigned to the case.
Case No. A189-586