Judge rules ethylene pipeline can continue operating in easement dispute

Who's involved

• Judge Todd Kassaw159th District Court judge in Angelina County
• Larry WrightOwner of Express H2O Pipeline and ROW LLC
• Westlake Chemical OpCoOperator of the ethylene pipeline
• Thomas FrashierAttorney representing Westlake

The facts

• Westlake Chemical OpCo's Longview facility employs more than 500 people.^{1 2} Stated by 2 sources
• The ethylene pipeline operated by Westlake is nearly 30 years old.^{1 2} Stated by 2 sources
• Wright's pipeline easement is from a more than 100-year-old unused pipeline.^{1 2} Stated by 2 sources
• Judge Kassaw held a two-day bench trial in Lufkin to hear testimony from both sides.^{1 2} Stated by 2 sources
• Kassaw ruled that Wright failed to demonstrate that Westlake's pipeline caused him harm.^{1 2} Stated by 2 sources
• Kassaw denied Wright's request for a permanent injunction.^{1 2} Stated by 2 sources
• Wright and his attorneys filed their lawsuit two years ago.^{1 2} Stated by 2 sources

Who said what

These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.

• Larry Wright Nearly 30-year-old pipeline conflicts with his more than 100-year-old pipeline easements.^{1 2}
• Larry Wright The conflict prevented him from selling or using his easements.^{1 2}
• Westlake Chemical No conflict exists; pipelines commonly cross one another.^{1 2}
• Westlake Chemical Shutting down pipeline would cause significant economic harm in Longview area.^{1 2}
• Westlake Chemical Plant has no feasible alternative to secure enough ethylene without this pipeline.^{1 2}