Blocker Exploration Co. v. Frontier Exploration Inc.

Lewis operated oil and gas leases assigned from Great Lakes Niagara, then assigned part of his interest to Blocker Exploration Co. (defendant), which paid for part of Frontier Exploration's (plaintiff) seismic work in exchange for data rights and a "go-no-go" right to approve future development phases. When Lewis went bankrupt and could not fully pay Frontier, Frontier sued Blocker, arguing a mining partnership between Lewis and Blocker made Blocker liable for Lewis's debt. The trial court and court of appeals both granted Blocker summary judgment, and Frontier appealed.