⚖ Oral Arguments, with Context

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Quality Process Services v. Whitney Oil & Gas — 5th Cir. (argued September 1, 2026)

No. 25-30560 Argued September 1, 2026 Published September 2, 2026

The Fifth Circuit hears Quality Process Services versus Whitney Oil and Gas. A QPS employee piloting Whitney's vessel struck an offshore well jacket, injuring a Whitney employee. The companies then disputed defense and indemnity under their master services agreement. The district court held the contract nonmaritime because vessels mainly transported workers and equipment, so Louisiana's Oilfield Anti-Indemnity Act barred QPS's claim. QPS says vessel use was substantial; Whitney says it was incidental to platform work. The court also considers Whitney's entitlement to attorney's fees.

Quality Process Services v. Whitney Oil & Gas (No. 25-30560) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, argued September 1, 2026.

Sources
Argument audio — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (public domain, 17 U.S.C. § 105):https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/OralArgRecordings/25/25-30560_09-01-2026.mp3
Argument record — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit:https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/oral-argument-recordings/results?docket=25-30560
Argument calendar — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit:https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/court-calendars/sitting?d=2026-09-01
Appellate docket — Justia:https://dockets.justia.com/docket/circuit-courts/ca5/25-30560
Findings and conclusions — U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana:https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-laed-2_22-cv-03015/pdf/USCOURTS-laed-2_22-cv-03015-1.pdf
Attorney-fee order — U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana:https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-laed-2_22-cv-03015/pdf/USCOURTS-laed-2_22-cv-03015-2.pdf
In re Larry Doiron — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit:https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/16/16-30217-CV2.pdf
Louisiana Oilfield Anti-Indemnity Act — Louisiana Legislature:https://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=107204
Marcel v. Placid Oil — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit:https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/91/91-03788.CV0.wpd.pdf
Unseaworthiness rule — U.S. Reports:https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USREPORTS-516/pdf/USREPORTS-516-199.pdf
Michael McMahon — Daigle Fisse & Kessenich:https://daiglefisse.com/michael-w-mcmahon/
Courtney Crowell — PJGG:https://pjgglaw.com/attorneys/courtney-crowell/
Robert Johnston — PJGG:https://pjgglaw.com/attorneys/robert-r-johnston/

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