Texas Supreme Court Changes Mind, Tackles Arbitration Appeal

AUSTIN – The Texas Supreme Court has reversed course, deciding it will hear an energy company’s challenge to a $16 million arbitration award over drilling waste pollution on a South Texas ranch.

The neutrality of an arbitrator and the panel’s jurisdiction over the dispute are among the issues raised by Forest Oil, which is now part of Houston’s Sabine Oil & Gas Corporation. The company sought a rehearing after the Supreme Court in May declined to review the arbitration.