Unpaid WI for 20+ years

I have learned that I own a WI in NM in 5 older wells in New Mexico. The operator has been operating these wells since 1991 and not paid me or unclaimed property a penny. The operator has now exercised quiet title action against me which I am appealing. If the court sides with me, which I anticipate, am I able to re-coup all of the revenue dating back to the effective date of the assignment into my company which was in 1988? If not, the legal bills may out-weigh the amount I'm able to re-coup. Trying to weigh risk vs reward on this one...Any advice helps as this is my first brush with this type of situation.