Fit to be fried

By standard measures, Box Energy should be a successful company, what with its still lucrative natural gas contract and its share of the South Pass Field. Last year, the company reported profits of almost $10 million, despite several drilling projects in the United States that came up dry.

But until the Box brothers make peace with the Potato King--either voluntarily or when their court appeals are exhausted--a legal pall hangs over the company.

That, says one lawyer, befits the late Cloyce Box, who "didn't go to bed at night very often without a lawsuit hanging over his head."

"Cloyce," another lawyer involved with the case chuckled. "God rest his soul.