The judge overseeing SemGroup LP's Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Delaware ruled Thursday that the lawsuits pitting would-be bidder John Catsimatidis and his group against CEO Terry Ronan and other executives deserve to be heard in a Wilmington, Del., courtroom instead of in Tulsa.

The judge also approved the sale of SemMaterials residual fuel assets to a Louisiana company.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Brendan L. Shannon did not rule on the merits and allegations in the dueling lawsuits between Catsimatidis and Ronan. The decision, for now, eliminates the Tulsa case filed by Catsimatidis and consolidates it in Delaware.

"We appreciate Judge Shannon's thoughtful decision and we look forward to continuing our reorganization process," SemGroup spokesman Tom Becker said.

Catsimatidis' group could not say Thursday whether they would appeal Shannon's ruling. The complaints in each lawsuit are scheduled for a May 28 hearing in Wilmington.

"For the moment, that's where things stand," Catsimatidis spokesman Gerald McKelvey said. "Let's talk to the lawyers; that's what you do when you get a ruling like this."

SemGroup LP sued Catsimatidis in February, alleging that he violated a confidential agreement and has a conflict of interest in trying to buy the company and also lead it through reorganization.

Catsimatidis