Is there a public record for condemnation awards by juries in Texas based on loss of land value?

From my understanding, there may be a district court docket that handles the railroad commission condemnation committee appeals. If so, you may be able to ask for some records there to see how a few of the appeals went. My recommendation though of course would be to call an attorney who represents land owners in oil and gas matters, particularly condemnation committee hearings to help you fight for the value of your land.

Texas law allows for common carrier pipelines, as defined by Texas law, to exercise the power of eminent domain. This means that those companies that qualify as common carriers (Seaway, Enterprise, Energy Transfer, Kinder Morgan) can condemn your land for "public use" (a common carrier pipeline) upon payment of a "just compensation". This compensation is based on a per foot calculation which can range widely based on the location of the property. The county, the land use, and the effect that such a pipeline has on the marketability of the affected tract are issues that enter into the calculation of the damage award. If you are willing to work out a deal with the pipeline company prior to any condemnation proceedings, I would recommend that you DO NOT hire an attorney on a contingency fee basis. Find an attorney that will bill on an hourly basis that agrees not to bill you until the deal has been worked out. At closing, you should have ample funds to pay the bill, which will likely be smaller than the amount owed to the attorney under a contingency fee agreement. Obviously, you will need to give the attorney a description of the issues arising from you particular circumstances (land use, tract configuration, etc) that will allow you and the attorney to work efficiently and effectively. There are many firms, including mine, that are willing to agree to this sort of fee arrangement (provided that the attorney and client are on the same page). An agreement which addresses your particular concerns (including payment for damages and surface use protections) can usually be achieved through negotiations with the pipeline company. If you want to make your case in a condemnation proceeding, you should hire an attorney that has extensive experience in condemnation. There is a new condemnation statute in Texas, so you would be well advised to work with an attorney who has recent condemnation experience. The attorney can explain your rights and walk you through the steps laid out in the new statute.