Exxon Corporation v. Laurie T. Miesch ( 2012 )

NUMBER 13-00-00104-CV
COURT OF APPEALS
THIRTEENTH DISTRICT OF TEXAS
CORPUS CHRISTI - EDINBURG
EXXON CORPORATION, ET AL., Appellants,
v.
LAURIE T. MIESCH, ET AL., Appellees.
On appeal from the 135th District Court
of Refugio County, Texas.
MEMORANDUM OPINION ON REMAND
Before Chief Justice Valdez and Justices Vela and Wittig1
Memorandum Opinion on Remand by Justice Wittig
Cross-appellants Laurie T. Miesch, Molly Miesch Allen, Jack Miesch, Michael
Miesch, Jamie Miesch Robertson, Morgan Frances Dunn O’Connor, Brien O’Connor
Dunn, Kelly Patricia Dunn Schaar, Bridey Kathleen Dunn Greeson, individually and as
trustee, T. Michael O’Connor and Nancy O’Connor, collectively, “the Miesch
Intervenors,” appeal the trial court’s granting of an instructed verdict in favor of cross-
1
Retired Justice Don Wittig assigned to this Court by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of
Texas pursuant to TEX. GOV’T CODE ANN. § 74.003 (West 2005).
appellees, Exxon Corporation and Exxon Texas, Inc., collectively “Exxon.” We
previously affirmed in part a jury verdict in favor of the Miesch intervenors on their
claims of waste and breach of contract. Exxon Corp. v. Miesch, 180 S.W.3d 299, 311
(Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 2005), rev’d sub. nom., Exxon Corp. v. Emerald Oil & Gas
Co., 348 S.W.3d 194 (Tex. 2011). The supreme court reversed and rendered on those
claims and remanded the intervenors’ claims for fraud, negligence, negligence per se,
negligent misrepresentation, tortious interference with economic opportunity, and
breach of regulatory duty to plug wells properly. Exxon Corp. 348 S.W.3d at 221.
These latter remanded claims were the subject of an instructed verdict by the trial
court. The intervenors argue that the trial court improperly granted the instructed
verdict. We affirm in part, and reverse and remand in part.
I. BACKGROUND
The Miesch intervenors were long standing lessors of Exxon, going back to the
1950’s. Exxon sought to re-negotiate the leases which required it to pay fifty percent
royalties. After negotiations broke down, Exxon determined to cap the wells and cease
production. Exxon failed or refused to turn over all of the well and field data requested
by intervenors, specifically including well logs. By letter dated August 16, 1991, Exxon
notified the royalty owners that it had completed its plugging operations. In 1993,
intervenors enterered into a new lease agreement with a predecessor of Emerald Oil &
Gas Company, LLC. On June 8, 1994, Emerald sent intervenors a written status report
explaining it encountered “junk,” cut casing, packers, and other debris in its attempt to
re-open the plugged wells. Emerald filed suit against Exxon in July 1996 and
intervenors filed claims in August 1996, September 1996, and January 1997. In
October 1999, intervenors amended their petitions against Exxon to add claims for
2
breach of contract, negligence, negligence per se, and negligent misrepresentation.
Further background facts and case history are well discussed in the two previous
opinions cited above.
II. STANDARD OF REVIEW
We review a trial court’s directed verdict based upon non-evidentiary grounds de
novo. Graham v. Atlantic Richfield Co., 848 S.W.2d 747, 750–52 (Tex. App.—Corpus
Christi 1993, writ denied). A directed verdict is appropriate when: 1) a defect
(specifically indicated) in the opponent's pleading makes it insufficient to support a
judgment; 2) the truth of fact propositions which, under the substantive law, establish
the right of the movant, or negate the right of his opponent to judgment; or 3) when the
evidence is insufficient to raise an issue as to one or more fact propositions which must
be established for the opponent to be entitled to judgment. Rowland v. Corpus Christi,
620 S.W.2d 930, 932–33 (Tex. Civ. App.—Corpus Christi 1981, writ ref’d n.r.e.) (citing
Elliott v. Elliott, 597 S.W.2d 795 (Tex. Civ. App.—Corpus Christi 1980, no writ)). In
reviewing a directed verdict based upon legal sufficiency of the evidence, the court must
examine the evidence in the light most favorable to the party against whom the verdict
was rendered and disregard all contrary evidence and inferences. Quantel Bus. Sys. v.
CustomControls, 761 S.W.2d 301, 303–04 (Tex.1988); cf. City of Keller v. Wilson, 168
S.W.3d 802, 816–17 (Tex. 2005) (proper legal-sufficiency review prevents reviewing
courts from substituting their opinions on credibility for those of the jurors, but proper
review also prevents jurors from substituting their opinions for undisputed truth; when
evidence contrary to a verdict is conclusive, it cannot be disregarded.)
III. INSTRUCTED VERDICT
3
A. NEGLIGENCE
Exxon moved for an instructed verdict on all claims made by Emerald and the
Miesches. On appeal, the Miesches argue in part that Exxon did not show that their
claims for negligence, negligence per se, gross negligence, tortious interference, and
violation of the statutory duty to properly plug the wells were time barred. They contend
that the evidence raised a fact question “on when Intervenors knew or should have
known about Exxon’s wrongful destruction of the wells.” There appears to be no
dispute that the two-year statute of limitations applies to these essentially negligence,
tortious interference, and regulatory claims. See TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE ANN. §
16.003(a) (West 2002). Causes of action accrue and statutes of limitations begin to run
when facts come into existence that authorize a claimant to seek a judicial remedy.
Provident Life & Accident Ins. Co. v. Knott, 128 S.W.3d 211, 221 (Tex. 2003); Johnson
& Higgins of Tex. v. Kenneco Energy, Inc., 962 S.W.2d 507, 514 (Tex. 1998). When a
cause of action accrues is normally a question of law. Knott, 128 S.W.3d at 221;
Moreno v. Sterling Drug, Inc., 787 S.W.2d 348, 351 (Tex. 1990).
The Miesches argue that Exxon’s conduct in damaging wellbores and mineral
formations give rise to liability regardless of the mineral leases. Exxon argues that the
Miesches knew about their injuries more than two years before filing suit. We agree.
On June 8, 1994 Tom Taylor of Emerald wrote a letter to each of the intervenors
outlining the significant difficulties encountered when attempting to re-enter wells
abandoned by Exxon. Specifically, he stated the old casing was cut by Exxon and left
in the hole in multiple wells. The letter continued explaining that Emerald encountered
packers left in the holes by Exxon. Emerald could not drill past 1350 feet in one well. In
another well, where Exxon cut the casing, it shifted and collapsed as Emerald
4
attempted re-entry. In yet another well, a mill was stuck in casing left by Exxon and
could not be recovered. Junk was encountered on the attempted re-entry to the M.E.
O’Connor A-10 well.
The applicable legal standard states that the statute of limitations begins to run
when a party has actual knowledge of a wrongful injury. Knott, 128 S.W.3d at 221.
Once a claimant learns of a cognizable injury, the statute of limitations begins to run
even if the claimant does not yet know "the specific cause of the injury; the party
responsible for it; the full extent of it; or the chances of avoiding it." PPG Indus., Inc. v.
JMB/Houston Ctrs. Partners Ltd. P'ship, 146 S.W.3d 79, 93–94 (Tex. 2004) (internal
citations omitted); Velsicol Chem. Corp. v. Winograd, 956 S.W.2d 529, 531 (Tex 1997)
(holding that the statute of limitations on a claim for damage to real property ran as soon
as property owner knew of the presence of a hazardous chemical on the property, not
when the residue exceeded regulatory contamination levels). After being put on notice
of alleged harm or injury-causing actions, the claimant must exercise reasonable
diligence to investigate the suspected harm and file suit within the limitations period.
HECI Exploration Co. v. Neel, 982 S.W.2d 881, 886 (Tex. 1998) (holding that "[r]oyalty
owners cannot be oblivious" to potentially injurious activity taking place in the field);
KPMG Peat Marwick v. Harrison Cnty. Housing Fin. Corp., 988 S.W.2d 746, 750 (Tex.
1999) (noting that a plaintiff's known loss from a wrongful premature sale of assets
should have caused the plaintiff to investigate the mismanagement of the assets as well
as a different defendant's involvement in the mismanagement); Mooney v. Harlin, 622
S.W.2d 83, 85 (Tex. 1981) (holding that the statute of limitations runs from the time
fraud could have been discovered).
5
In this case, more than two years elapsed between the time that Exxon's alleged
tortious conduct damaged the O'Connor Field and the date that Emerald and the
Miesches sued Exxon. Emerald and the royalty owners claimed that Exxon's plugging
operations caused them injury. Emerald filed suit in June 1996, and the Miesches
intervened in the lawsuit in August 1996, September 1996, and January 1997, to assert
claims against Exxon. The statute of limitations began to run when the parties has
actual knowledge of a wrongful injury. This occurred by June 8, 1994 when Tom Taylor
of Emerald wrote the letter to each of the intervenors outlining the significant difficulties
encountered. Knott, 128 S.W.3d at 221.
The supreme court reached this same conclusion relating to the limitations issue
in this case concerning the Miesches’ waste claims. See Exxon Corp., 348 S.W.3d at
209.
B. FRAUD
The Miesches appealed the trial court’s instructed verdict on the fraud issue
concerning the remaining reserves. The elements of fraud are: a material
misrepresentation, which was false, and which was either known to be false when made
or was asserted without knowledge of the truth, which was intended to be acted upon,
which was relied upon, and which caused injury. DeSantis v. Wackenhut Corp., 793
S.W.2d 670, 688 (Tex. 1990) (citing Stone v. Lawyers Title Ins. Corp., 554 S.W.2d 183,
185 (Tex. 1977)); see also Spoljaric v. Percival Tours, Inc., 708 S.W.2d 432, 434 (Tex.
1986).
George Hite testified that the representations made to the intervenors concerning
reserves were false. Based upon the work of its consultant Joe Wylie, Exxon did not
include at least two producing zones. Exxon variously represented that the reserves
6
under lease were depleted, “there is nothing there,” or they would last only a couple
more years. It further represented it “could not continue to produce it” (the field).
Exxon’s statements were not made in response to a contractual demand by the
intervenors. Rather, the representations were made during Exxon’s endeavor to
renegotiate a new contract. Exxon refused to give the Miesches certain information,
claiming it was not covered by the contract and was proprietary. Exxon failed or refused
to furnish data supporting its conclusions for some years and did not furnish interpretive
data justifying its assertions. Hite also testified that Exxon knew of the undeveloped
formations because it was contained in Exxon’s well logs. Some evidence showed that
the Miesches relied upon the false representations because the intervenors agreed to
diminish their new royalty rates and also initially agreed to forego bonuses from the new
lessee Emerald. Exxon’s intent that the Miesches act upon the misrepresentations may
be inferred because it was itself seeking to renegotiate its leases in order to obtain more
favorable terms, i.e. the lowering of royalties, which did occur as a result of the
misrepresentations, albeit to the benefit of Emerald. Furthermore, intent is usually a
fact question. Dixon v. Sw. Bell Tel. Co., 607 S.W.2d 240, 242 (Tex. 1980); IMCO Oil &
Gas v. Mitchell Energy Corp., 911 S.W.2d 916, 920 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 1995, no
writ).
Exxon argues the trial court properly granted an instructed verdict on the
Miesches’ fraud claims. We disagree. First, we note the statute of limitations for fraud
is four years. See TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE ANN. § 16.004(a)(4) (West 2002).
Limitations for fraud begin to run from the time the party knew of the misrepresentation.
Little v. Smith, 943 S.W.2d 414, 420 (Tex. 1997). Applying the four year statute in its
Emerald decision, the supreme court noted there was no fact finding indicating the
7
dates it may have known of Exxon’s alleged misrepresentation concerning false
plugging reports “or that Exxon allegedly misrepresented the reserves to the royalty
owners.” Exxon Corp., 348 S.W.3d at 216. Emerald may have learned of certain
misrepresentations by the June 8, 1994 Tom Taylor letter, but then the Emerald fraud
claims would be timely. Id. Similarly, there is no fact finding or indisputable evidence
that shows when the Miesches could have determined that the misrepresentations were
false before February 1999. In 1999, during discovery, the Miesches were supplied with
information showing the two undeveloped zones under the terminated leases. We hold
that there was some evidence intervenors’ fraud claims were timely.
Exxon argues that as a matter of law, intervenors may not recover for fraud
because their complaint sounds only in contract, not tort. It points to the trial court’s
observation: “I just think that there is no fraud action here. It’s a question of breach of
contract.” Exxon attacks intervenors’ reliance upon Formosa Plastics Corp. USA v.
Presidio Eng'rs & Contrs., 960 S.W.2d 41, 45 (Tex. 1998). It argues that Formosa
Plastics does not hold that a “con-tort” analysis applies to all fraud cases. We agree.
However, the case applies to fraudulent inducement claims regardless of whether the
fraudulent representations are later subsumed in a contract. Id. at 47.
Over the last sixty years, courts have analyzed the distinction between torts and
contracts from two different perspectives. At first, the supreme court analyzed the
source of the duty in determining whether an action sounded in tort or contract. Id. at
45 (citing Int’l Printing Pressmen & Assistants' Union v. Smith, 198 S.W.2d 729, 735
(Tex. 1946) (holding that an action in contract is for the breach of a duty arising out of a
contract either express or implied, while an action in tort is for a breach of duty imposed
8
by law.) The high court noted further guidelines for distinguishing contract and tort
causes of action:
If the defendant's conduct—such as negligently burning down a house—
would give rise to liability independent of the fact that a contract exists
between the parties, the plaintiff's claim may also sound in tort.
Conversely, if the defendant's conduct—such as failing to publish an
advertisement—would give rise to liability only because it breaches the
parties' agreement, the plaintiff's claim ordinarily sounds only in contract.
Id. (citing Sw. Bell Tel. Co. v. DeLanney, 809 S.W.2d 493, 494 (Tex. 1991)). “In
determining whether the plaintiff may recover on a tort theory, it is also instructive to
examine the nature of the plaintiff's loss. When the only loss or damage is to the
subject matter of the contract, the plaintiff's action is ordinarily on the contract.” Id.
(citing DeLanney, 809 S.W.2d at 494).
Following these guidelines, we first determine whether Exxon’s duty to make the
allegedly false statements arose solely from the contract. Under the lease contract,
Exxon was obliged to furnish full information covering its operations through a
representative designated in writing. From the record it appears that the actionable
fraudulent representations were not in response to its contractual obligations. Rather,
the evidence suggests Exxon sought to renegotiate its onerous fifty percent royalty
obligation. In other words, Exxon sought to void the old contractual obligations and
insisted upon new, more favorable terms going forward with new lease provisions.
While seeking to significantly reduce the Miesches’ royalties, Exxon misrepresented that
information it possessed was proprietary, (not covered by the contract), that the field
was depleted, uneconomical, and that it could no longer develop the field. By inference,
the old contract was insupportable and a new contract was necessary. These actions
were not in furtherance of the existing contract, but rather to induce, on false grounds, a
new contract, not unlike the fraudulent inducement found in Formosa Plastic. See id.
9
While a duty may be imposed by contract, the common law also addresses a
duty to use reasonable care whenever it provides information to its customers or
potential customers. See Fed. Land Bank Ass'n v. Sloane, 825 S.W.2d 439, 442 (Tex.
1991). The common law makes actionable a false material misrepresentation, which
was either known to be false when made or was asserted without knowledge of the
truth, which was intended to be acted upon, was relied upon, and caused injury.
DeSantis, 793 S.W.2d at 688. We additionally observe that the Miesches’ contract
claims were addressed to Exxon’s duty to “fully develop” the leases. In that connection,
the supreme court found no breach of contract as a matter of law
Exxon also argues its statements were opinion, not fact, citing Transport Ins. Co.
v. Faircloth, 898 S.W.2d 269, 276 (Tex. 1995) (holding an actionable representation is
one concerning a material fact; a pure expression of opinion will not support an action
for fraud). In Faircloth, the material fact at issue was the potential value of a death case
in the context of settlement negotiations. Id. We note that the potential settlement
value of a death claim would necessarily be pure opinion. Faircloth in turn cites and
relies upon Trenholm v. Ratcliff, 646 S.W.2d 927, 930 (Tex. 1983). There, the supreme
court delineated several exceptions to the opinion rule. First, an opinion may constitute
fraud if the speaker has knowledge of its falsity. Id. (citing Tex. Ind. Trust, Inc. v. Lusk,
312 S.W.2d 324, 327 (Tex. Civ. App.—San Antonio 1958, writ ref'd); T. M. Brooks v.
Parr, 507 S.W.2d 818, 820 (Tex. Civ. App.—Amarillo 1974, no writ)). Second, an
expression of opinion as to the happening of a future event may also constitute fraud
where the speaker purports to have special knowledge of facts that will occur or exist in
the future. Id. (citing Russell v. Ind. Transp. Co., 251 S.W. 1034, 1037 (Tex. Comm.
App. 1923, holding app'd), aff'd on rehearing, 258 S.W. 462 (1924); Ratcliff v. Trenholm,
10
596 S.W.2d 645, 651 (Tex. Civ. App.—Tyler 1980, writ ref'd n.r.e.); Wright v. Carpenter,
579 S.W.2d 575, 580 (Tex. Civ. App.—Corpus Christi 1979, writ ref'd n.r.e.). And third,
when an opinion is based on past or present facts, an action for fraud may be
maintained. Id. (citing Buchanan v. Burnett, 119 S.W. 1141, 1142 (Tex. 1909); Mut. Life
& Loan Ass'n v. Jackson, 76 S.W.2d 547, 548 (Tex. Civ. App.—Texarkana 1934, writ
dism'd); Burcum v. Gaston, 196 S.W.2d 257, 259 (Tex. Civ. App.—Amarillo 1917, no
writ)).
Here, Exxon had special knowledge of facts that would occur. The
representations were made based on past or then present facts. And evidence pointed
to the fact that Exxon had knowledge of the falsity of its representations. Specifically,
well logs and interpretative data initially denied to the Miesches indicated materially
more reserves than represented and ignored undeveloped fields. Why would Exxon
wish to continue operations, albeit at reduced royalties, absent profitable reserves?
Therefore, even assuming Exxon’s representations might have partly or in whole
constituted opinions, we find the exceptions to the opinion rule applicable. The jury
could have found Exxon spoke with recklessness and possessed special knowledge.
See Trenholm 646 S.W.2d at 930. In addition, the Exxon representations do not
appear to be “pure” expressions of opinion. See Faircloth, 898 S.W.2d at 688.
Exxon cites Facciolla v. Linbeck Constr. Corp., 968 S.W.2d 435, 448 (Tex.
App.—Texarkana 1998, no pet.). However, in Facciolla the same factual allegations
and subject matter of the fraud claim were the basis of Facciolla’s breach of contract
claim. Id. Further, the damages in Facciolla, except for deceptive trade practices and
insurance code violations, arose solely from injury to the subject of the contract. Id.
The Miesches’ proof of damages is separate and distinct. Exxon also cites Kajima Int'l
11
v. Formosa Plastics Corp., 15 S.W.3d 289, 293 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 2000, no
pet.) (holding that a promise to do an act in the future is actionable fraud when made
with the intention, design and purpose of deceiving, and with no intention of performing
the act) (citing Spoljaric, 708 S.W.2d at 434). Kajima also rejected the argument Exxon
makes here that the only type of fraud claim which can exist in a contract setting is a
claim for fraud in the inducement of contracts. Id.
Without citation to authority or the record, Exxon argues the Miesches pled only
fraud, not fraudulent inducement. No special exceptions to the pleadings were noted,
consequently, we construe the pleadings liberally in favor of the pleader. See id. at 292
(citing Handy Andy, Inc. v. Ruiz, 900 S.W.2d 739, 742 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 1994,
writ denied); (Stone v. Lawyers Title Ins. Corp., 554 S.W.2d 183, 186 (Tex. 1977)). We
conclude the Miesches’ pleadings adequately raised the issue of fraud arising after
execution of the original leases.
Finally, Exxon cites Union Pac. Res. Group v. Rhone-Poulenc, Inc., 45 F. Supp.
2d 544, 552–53 (N.D. Tex. 1999). There, the plaintiff was actually furnished a copy of
the proposed stock purchase agreement which delineated the purchase price
adjustment calculations. Id. The plaintiffs knew what they did not know, i.e. they knew
how the price adjustments would be calculated, yet claimed they didn’t have the specific
figures to make the calculation. Id. “This knowledge belies claims of fraud and
negligent misrepresentation.” Id. The plaintiffs had a “duty to do more than just make
an "elliptical 'invitation' to respond" to a concern about dollar figures; they had to
demand the information they needed.” Id. Unlike the cited case, Exxon affirmatively
misrepresented the facts it knew concerning the physical properties of the field in order
12
to induce the Miesches to form a new contract. Exxon also refused and delayed the
Miesches’ demand for the information they needed.
C. NEGLIGENT MISREPRESENTATION
The intervenors contend Exxon failed to show that the evidence conclusively
proves that they knew or should have known of the alleged negligent representations
more than two years prior to suit. We agree. First, this claim does not pertain to the
negligence claims discussed above concerning Exxon’s alleged damage to the wells.
As we indicated, the Taylor letter in 1994 put the Miesches on notice of the junk and
other debris found in the plugged wells. The negligent representation claim revolves
around the factual scenario asserted in the fraud claims. Exxon represented that the
field had already had its days and could not continue. In correspondence, Exxon stated
there was limited remaining potential in the field, and stated that the field was depleted.
The Taylor letter does not address these factors.
Exxon contends that the discovery rule and doctrine of fraudulent concealment
focus on the discovery of the first actionable injury, citing KPMG Peat, 988 S.W.2d at
749–50. We agree. Exxon plugged the wells and filed its last W-3 forms in 1991, but
again, this pertains to the damaged well bores and does not address the
misrepresented reserves. Exxon again argues from the Taylor letter, but the letter is not
applicable to this claim. While Exxon insists the Miesches knew or should have known
of the existence of the negligent misrepresentation claim more than two years before
they intervened, this is a contested factually based argument that should be presented
to the jury. See TEX. R. CIV. P. 278.
Statutes of limitations are intended to compel plaintiffs to assert their claims while
the evidence is fresh in the minds of the parties and witness. Wagner & Brown v.
13
Horwood, 58 S.W.3d 732, 734 (Tex. 2001). The discovery rule exception operates to
defer accrual of a cause of action until the plaintiff knows or, by exercising reasonable
diligence, should have known of the facts giving rise to the claim. Id. Inquiries
involving the discovery rule usually entail questions for the trier of fact. Child v.
Haussecker, 974 S.W.2d 31, 44 (Tex. 1998). An injury is inherently undiscoverable if it
is, by its nature, unlikely to be discovered with the prescribed limitations period despite
due diligence. Horwood, 58 S.W.3d at 734–35. Evidence showed the Miesches were
denied the ability to ascertain the extent of underground reserves within the statutory
two year limitations period. We conclude that the Miesches were entitled to have this
question submitted to the trier of fact.
Next, Exxon argues the damages available under this claim. In D.S.A., Inc. v.
Hillsboro Indep. Sch. Dist., 973 S.W.2d 662, 663–64 (Tex. 1998), cited by Exxon, the
supreme court discusses the damage model and limitation on benefit of the bargain
claims under negligent misrepresentation. See id. In D.S.A., the damages the jury
awarded for negligent misrepresentation were identical to the damages it awarded for
breach of contract, and HISD did not offer proof of any economic injury independent of
contract damages. Id. Without deciding whether HISD breached a legal duty
independent of its contractual duties, the high court concluded that HISD's negligent
misrepresentation claim must fail for lack of any independent injury. Id. “The Formosa
opinion's rejection of the independent injury requirement in fraudulent inducement
claims does not extend to claims for negligent misrepresentation or negligent
inducement.” Id. Unlike fraudulent inducement, the benefit of the bargain measure of
damages is not available for a claim of negligent misrepresentation. Id. The court
14
reiterated its adoption of the independent injury requirement of section 552B of the
Restatement (Second) of Torts, which provides:
(1) The damages recoverable for a negligent misrepresentation are those
necessary to compensate the plaintiff for the pecuniary loss to him of
which the misrepresentation is legal cause, including:
a) the difference between the value of what he has received in
the transaction and its purchase price or other value given for it; and
b) pecuniary loss suffered otherwise as a consequence of the
plaintiff's reliance upon the misrepresentation.
(2) The damages recoverable for a negligent misrepresentation do not
include the benefit of the plaintiff's contract with the defendant.
Id. (citing Restatement (Second) of Torts § 552B (1977)).
The Miesches presented evidence that they incurred out-of-pocket losses in
addition to, and independent of any purely contractual damages. Thus, they
established an injury distinct from and not dependent upon any contractually related
claims. On this record, we cannot conclude that the Miesches’ claims for damages for
negligent misrepresentations were limited to claims for damages for the benefit of their
bargain on their contract with Exxon. We conclude the economic loss rule would not
bar intervenors’ recovery of damages under this claim.
Finally, Exxon poses that the evidence conclusively shows that the intervenors
did not justifiably rely on its representations about the productivity and reserves of the
oil field. It insists both fraud and negligent misrepresentation require proof of reliance,
citing Bartlett v. Schmidt, 33 S.W.3d 35, 37–38 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 2000, pet.
denied) (citing Fed. Land Bank Ass'n of Tyler v. Sloane, 825 S.W.2d 439, 442 (Tex.
1991) (negligent misrepresentation); Eagle Properties, Ltd. v. Scharbauer, 807 S.W.2d
714, 723 (Tex. 1990) (fraud)). We agree in principle. However, Bartlett presented a
15
situation where the person to whom the misrepresentations are made, before closing
the contract, inspected and examined the subject of the contract, or conducted an
independent investigation into the matters covered by the representations, which was
sufficient to inform him of the truth, and which is not interfered with or rendered nugatory
by any act of any other party. Id. at 38. There “it is presumed that he places his
reliance on the information acquired by such investigation and on his own judgment
based on such facts, and not on the representations made to him, and therefore he
cannot have relief because his bargain proves unsatisfactory to him.” Id. Exxon
prevented such an examination in its negotiations with the Miesches.
We turn to Exxon’s next case: Scottish Heritable Trust, PLC v. Peat Marwick
Main & Co., 81 F.3d 606, 615 (5th Cir. Tex. 1996). The facts are materially different.
Given that prior to making the subsequent stock purchases, SHT (1) was
an extremely sophisticated multi-national conglomerate; (2) had virtually
complete access to the internal financial records of Rangaire; and (3)
suspected, and was later warned by its advisor, that a problem existed
regarding the book value of fixed assets which it now complains that Peat
Marwick failed to detect or disclose, we find it simply incredible that SHT
could have been justified in relying on the audit reports in question, if in
fact it relied on them at all. And even when we view the evidence in the
light most favorable to the verdict, we must conclude that no reasonable
jury could arrive at a verdict to the contrary. We therefore hold as a matter
of law that if SHT did indeed rely on Peat Marwick's audit reports with
respect to its stock purchases following the initial acquisition, such
reliance was simply unjustified.
Id. (internal citations omitted). During the relevant time frame, Exxon claimed its
records were proprietary and denied access to the Miesches. Years later, Exxon
furnished piecemeal incomplete information to the Miesches and finally, in February
1999, provided data showing the disparity between its representations and the actual
reserves of the field.
16
Morgan Dunn O’Connor testified the intervenors had no reason not to rely upon
the representations. T. Michael O’Connor and others testified concerning their reliance
upon the Exxon representations. He went so far as to inform Emerald’s predecessor
that Exxon told them that the field was depleted and that there was nothing there. As a
result, initial bonuses were given up and royalties reduced. We find that there was
some evidence of reliance and accordingly sustain this issue.
IV. CONCLUSION
We affirm the trial court’s instructed verdict on the intervenors’ claims for
negligence, negligence per se, tortious interference with economic opportunity, and
breach of regulatory duty to plug wells properly. We reverse and remand the instructed
verdict on intervenors’ fraud and negligent misrepresentation claims.
DON WITTIG
Justice
Delivered and filed the
1st day of March, 2012.
17