Texas Surveyors Practice Exam

In Gulf Oil Co. v. Outlaw, how is the boundary between two surveys defined?

1. By mutual agreement of the parties

2. As a line common to both by law

3. Based on the oldest survey available

4. By prevailing weather conditions

The correct answer is: As a line common to both by law

In the case of Gulf Oil Co. v. Outlaw, the boundary between two surveys is defined as a line that is common to both surveys by law. This legal principle highlights the concept that boundaries established by surveys are not arbitrary; they must follow legal definitions or agreements that have been documented and recognized. When two surveys overlap or are adjacent, the law dictates that the boundaries should be treated as a common line, holding both parties to the established survey lines unless new evidence or adjustments can legally redefine them. This ensures clarity and consistency in property rights and land use, reinforcing the integrity of survey work and legal land boundaries. The options that mention mutual agreements, the age of surveys, or external factors like weather conditions do not provide a solid legal basis for boundary definitions. The correct understanding of a boundary in a surveying context relies on established legal lines that have been recognized and accepted rather than subjective or situational factors.