The Slovak Republic urged a Texas federal judge Friday to issue a default judgment of €1.83 million ($2.14 million) against Discovery Global LLC, a U.S.-based energy company once seeking a colossal $2.1 billion claim against the country. The request comes after the company failed to pay an international arbitration award rendered earlier this year.

In its motion, Slovakia said Discovery Global ignored a binding order issued January 17 by a tribunal under the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). That tribunal had required Discovery to pay $457,248 and €2.31 million, plus interest.

When the company failed to comply, Slovakia petitioned the court July 3 to recognize and enforce the award, arguing Discovery had exhausted its chances.

A Legal Battle Gone Silent

Slovakia said Discovery’s failure to respond removes any factual dispute. The motion stresses that the company was properly served: the petition and summons were hand-delivered July 21 to Discovery’s CEO, Texas attorney Steven Walker, with proof of service filed July 29. Yet Discovery filed no answer, no objection, and no counter.

“The Slovak Republic’s petition establishes a viable claim for relief,” the motion declared. “There can be no doubt the petition does.”

Slovakia added that no prejudice exists against Discovery if default judgment is entered since the company has chosen silence instead of defense.

Arbitration Fallout

The dispute traces back to a three-member ICSID tribunal that unanimously sided with Slovakia, dismissing Discovery Global’s allegations. Discovery had accused Slovakia of blocking development plans through excessive regulations and public pressure, but arbitrators rejected every claim.

Discovery originally demanded $2.1 billion in damages, but Slovakia countered that the company had failed to secure landowner consent, ignored environmental obligations, and lacked the financing necessary for oil and gas drilling.

Officials argued that Discovery, through subsidiary Alpine Oil & Gas, spurred public backlash when it attempted to drill without community or regulatory alignment. Those missteps, Slovakia said, triggered lawsuits and left the projects stranded.

Years of Failed Energy Ambitions

Discovery acquired Alpine Oil & Gas in 2014 and pushed ahead with drilling attempts at three northeast Slovakia sites. By 2015, protests halted operations, and Discovery claimed Slovak police and courts refused to assist. Arbitration followed in 2021, but by then, Slovakia said, the company’s funding had evaporated.

Despite “consistent missteps,” the Slovak government argued it had acted fairly under Slovak and international law while the company failed to deliver.

Next Steps in Court

Now, Slovakia seeks enforcement of the arbitral ruling through default judgment, cementing its victory and forcing Discovery Global to pay.

The Slovak Republic is represented by Jonathan R. Mureen, Stephen P. Anway, Raúl B. Mañón, and Douglas Pilawa of Squire Patton Boggs LLP.