GlassRatner Testifies in East Texas Pipeline Easement Trial Won by Westlake Chemical

GlassRatner provided expert witness testimony on behalf of Westlake Chemical OpCo, LP in a pipeline easement dispute in Angelina County, Texas, where the court denied a request for a permanent injunction that could have forced the shutdown of a critical ethylene pipeline.

Mark Landrum, PE served as expert witness in the two-day bench trial held October 13-14, 2026, before Judge Todd Kassaw of the 159th District Court. Testifying as an expert in pipeline engineering, construction, and operations, Landrum addressed whether Westlake’s 10-inch pipeline, installed in 1996-97, harmed or interfered with any rights held by plaintiff Express H2O Pipeline & ROW, LLC under several easements originally granted to Gulf Oil in the early 1900s.

The stakes were significant. Westlake’s 200-mile, high-pressure ethylene line carries feedstock from Mont Belvieu to five polyethylene plants in Longview. An injunction could have required Westlake to shut down the line and remove buried segments.

Judge Kassaw denied the motion, finding that Express H2O had not proven imminent harm and that its easements did not carry exclusive or blanket rights.

“This case came down to how pipelines are actually built and operated, and whether one line genuinely interferes with another,” said Landrum. “Shutting down this pipeline could have put hundreds of jobs and a major regional manufacturing base at risk. We’re glad the court had a clear technical record to work from.”

GlassRatner worked alongside Westlake’s trial counsel at Ahmad Zavitsanos & Mensing (AZA Law), led by partners Todd Mensing and Jason McManis.

Technical expertise for high-stakes disputes

GlassRatner provides testifying and consulting experts in complex commercial litigation, arbitration, and regulatory matters. Our professionals bring hands-on industry experience in energy, renewable fuels, infrastructure, engineering, construction, and operations paired with the firm’s forensic accounting and damages capabilities. That combination lets counsel present technical issues in terms a judge or jury can follow and rely on experts who hold up under cross-examination.

The case is Express H2O Pipeline and Row, LLC v. Westlake Chemical OpCo, LP, Case No. CV-00461-24-08.