Company sues partners over oil and gas profits

A Harris County company with interests in oil and gas producing regions claims it has been prevented from realizing the full profits of its land. 

KBL E&P Limited Co. and Robert J. Keens filed a lawsuit Aug. 29 in Jefferson County District Court against Scott C. Becker, Frank C. Lytle and B&L Land-Management.

KBL and Keens claim they own interests in various oil and gas producing regions of Texas, including 939 leasehold acres in David Choate League in Jefferson County.

The defendants have taken confidential information from KBL, including seismic cores, logs, prospect and land data, in an attempt to deny KBl and Keens from enjoying the use and benefits of their property, according to the complaint.

“Plaintiffs aver that defendants have benefited from plaintiff KBL’s interest in the above-described real property and business opportunities, and proceeds from the sale thereof, without reimbursement of plaintiff commensurate with such use, profits, benefit and/or enrichment received by defendants, and defendants will be unjustly enriched by plaintiff if allowed to retain the use, profits, benefit and/or enrichment from same,” the suit states.

KBL and Keens allege breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, breach of duty of good faith and fair dealing, fraud, unjust enrichment and negligence against the defendants, the complaint says.

In their complaint, KBL and Keens seek actual, exemplary and prospective damages, a declaration of rights in the property, costs and other relief the court deems just.

Robert Keith Wade of the Law Offices of Robert Keith Wade in Beaumont will be representing them.

The case has been assigned to Judge Donald Floyd, 172nd District Court.

Case No. E192-969