Court Jurisdiction, Procedure and Review: Sovereign Immunity Title to Land: Riverbeds

摘要

BP asserts that it is the fee simple absolute owner of some 810 acres located in Harris County. The State, and its oil and gas lessee, Etoco, Inc., assert that a portion of the tract of land is now submerged under the San Jacinto River and is therefore State-owned. BP also asserts that the river's encroachment is due to subsidence caused by the withdrawal of groundwater by various municipalities in the area. BP's claims include a trespass to try title claim, declaratory relief, a takings claim and other constitutional claims.