Bell Nunnally, led by Partner Benjamin L. Riemer and Associates Meredith N. Palmer and Monica Dike, secured a unanimous $7.7 million jury verdict on behalf of MCR Oil Tools LLC in a licensing dispute with Expro Holdings UK Limited. The verdict followed a seven-day trial in Dallas County’s 193rd District Court and approximately two-and-a-half hours of jury deliberations.

Arlington-based MCR designs, manufactures and distributes non-explosive pipe cutting and perforating tools for use in the oil and gas industry. MCR and Expro, a global oilfield services company, maintained a business relationship for approximately 20 years under a series of licensing agreements. The relationship ended in 2023 when Expro elected not to renew the parties’ license agreement. MCR alleged that Expro subsequently failed to comply with its post-contractual obligations.

The trial involved testimony from 10 witnesses, including MCR executives from Arlington, Expro executives from Scotland and Houston and multiple scientific experts. Expro asserted numerous affirmative defenses and counterclaims, including arguments related to regulatory developments concerning the classification and transportation of MCR’s tools. The jury found that Expro breached the license agreement, rejected its submitted defenses and counterclaims and found that MCR did not breach the agreement.

The jury awarded MCR more than $5.8 million in damages under the license agreement, including nearly $1.9 million in a contractual return fee and $103,100 in outstanding invoices.

The verdict was covered by Texas Lawyer and The Texas Lawbook. Texas Lawyer reported that MCR received the maximum damages it sought under the license agreement and highlighted Bell Nunnally’s approach to presenting a technically complex dispute as a straightforward contract case. Texas Lawbook also highlighted the unanimous verdict.

The matter is MCR Oil Tools, LLC v. Expro Holdings UK 4 Limited, Cause No. DC-24-00865, in the 193rd Judicial District Court of Dallas County, Texas.

Related Media Coverage

• “Dallas Jury Awards $7.7 Million in Licensing Fight,” Texas Lawyer, September 30, 2026.
• “Dallas Jury Hits Expro Holdings with $7.7M Verdict for Breach of Contract,” Texas Lawbook, September 28, 2026.