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Helmer Directional Drilling, Inc. v. Dexco, Inc.

Citations: 662 So. 2d 452; 1995 La. LEXIS 2872; 1995 WL 672676Docket: No. 95-C-1537

Court: Supreme Court of Louisiana; November 12, 1995; Louisiana; State Supreme Court

Narrative Opinion Summary

Dexco is entitled to have a new well drilled, as determined by the trial court, with no manifest error found in this conclusion. Even if Helmer achieved one of the objectives, the necessity for a new well remains. The court of appeal incorrectly reduced the trial court's damage award of $220,503 to account for the drilling costs. Consequently, the court of appeal's judgment is vacated and the trial court's judgment is reinstated. Justices Calogero and Lemmon expressed a desire to grant and docket the case.

Legal Issues Addressed

Appellate Court's Error in Damage Award Adjustment

Application: The appellate court erred by reducing the trial court's damage award to account for drilling costs, leading to the reinstatement of the original judgment.

Reasoning: The court of appeal incorrectly reduced the trial court's damage award of $220,503 to account for the drilling costs.

Entitlement to New Well Drilling

Application: The trial court determined that Dexco is entitled to have a new well drilled, a decision that the appellate court found no manifest error in.

Reasoning: Dexco is entitled to have a new well drilled, as determined by the trial court, with no manifest error found in this conclusion.

Reinstatement of Trial Court Judgment

Application: The appellate court's judgment was vacated, and the trial court's original judgment was reinstated.

Reasoning: Consequently, the court of appeal's judgment is vacated and the trial court's judgment is reinstated.