Appeals Court Finds No Mutual Mistake and Vacates Order to Reform Lease

LAKE CHARLES, La. - A Louisiana appellate court has reversed an order to reform a minerals lease, saying it found no evidence that the parties mutually intended to include additional acreage as claimed by the landowner. Hall Ponderosa, LLC v. Petrohawk Properties, L.P., No. 11-056 (La. Ct. App., 3rd Cir.).

The Third Circuit Court of Appeal held April 4 that there was no mutual mistake between Hall Ponderosa LLC and Petrohawk Properties L.P., despite the apparent haste with which the oil and gas lease was negotiated.

Hall Ponderosa LLC is a family business and the owner of two pieces of …