All News
Texas Oil and Gas Production Statistics for May 2020
July 31, 2020
AUSTIN –– Crude oil and natural gas production as reported to the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) for May 2020 came from 170,718 oil wells and 86,469 gas wells.
The RRC reports that from June 2019 to May 2020, total Texas reported production was 1.5 billion barrels of crude oil and 10.4 trillion cubic feet of total gas. Crude oil production reported by the RRC is limited to oil produced from oil leases and does not include condensate, which is reported separately by the RRC.
Read More...EPA Report Recognizes Railroad Commission’s Underground Injection Control Program in Mitigating Environmental Risks
July 29, 2020
AUSTIN – The Railroad Commission continues to make positive strides with its Underground Injection Control program, ensuring the protection of underground sources of drinking water and the control of seismic activity, according to a recent report from the Environmental Protection Agency.
Read More...RRC Continues Extensive Inspections of Major New Pipeline Project
July 23, 2020
AUSTIN – Inspectors with the Railroad Commission of Texas are continuing critical inspections of the Permian Highway Pipeline (PHP), one of the largest pipeline projects under construction in Texas in 2020. Stretching more than 400 miles from the Permian Basin to the Houston area, the pipeline will bring West Texas’ natural gas to the world market.
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Christian Passes National Resolution Condemning Oil Dumping
July 21, 2020
AUSTIN — The Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC) this week passed Railroad Commission Chairman Wayne Christian’s (R – Texas) resolution urging the federal government to investigate excessive dumping of crude oil by Saudi Arabia and Russia and take appropriate action.
Read More...Railroad Commission Launches Interactive Data Visualization on Site Remediation and Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation
July 15, 2020
AUSTIN — In an effort to make the enormous amount of data that the Railroad Commission keeps more accessible and transparent for the public, the agency has released another round of data visualization on its website. Read More...
Texas Drilling Permits and Completions Statistics for June 2020
July 06, 2020
AUSTIN –– The Railroad Commission of Texas issued a total of 312 original drilling permits in June 2020 compared to 1,001 in June 2019. The June 2020 total includes 262 permits to drill new oil or gas wells, three to re-enter plugged well bores and 21 for re-completions of existing well bores.
Read More...Oil and Gas Monitoring and Enforcement Plan finalized
June 30, 2020
AUSTIN –– The Railroad Commission of Texas has released its latest strategic priorities in regulating the state’s oil and gas industry.
Read More...Texas Oil and Gas Production Statistics for April 2020
June 26, 2020
AUSTIN – Crude oil and natural gas production as reported to the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) for April 2020 came from 172,505 oil wells and 87,853 gas wells.
The RRC reports that from May 2019 to April 2020, total Texas reported production was 1.5 billion barrels of crude oil and 10.4 trillion cubic feet of total gas. Crude oil production reported by the RRC is limited to oil produced from oil leases and does not include condensate, which is reported separately by the RRC.
Read More...RRC Commissioners Assess $805,000 in Penalties
June 19, 2020
AUSTIN – The Railroad Commission of Texas assessed $805,543 in fines involving 221 enforcement dockets against operators and businesses at the Commissioners’ Conference on June 16. The Commission has primary oversight and enforcement of the state’s oil and gas industry and intrastate pipeline safety.
Read More...Blue Ribbon Taskforce Unveils Plan to Curtail Flaring
June 16, 2020
Today, the Railroad Commission of Texas heard from the state’s oil and gas trade associations, environmental advocacy groups, and several oil and gas producers about the issue of flaring and how Texas can implement meaningful reforms to reduce flaring before oil and gas activity returns to previous highs.
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Texas Drilling Permits and Completions Statistics for May 2020
June 04, 2020
AUSTIN –– The Railroad Commission of Texas issued a total of 251 original drilling permits in May 2020 compared to 1,050 in May 2019. The May 2020 total includes 208 permits to drill new oil or gas wells, one to re-enter plugged well bores and 27 for re-completions of existing well bores.
Read More...Commissioner Craddick Welcomes New Staff Member
June 03, 2020
Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick is pleased to announce that Mia Hutchens has joined the team as the new Director of Public Affairs. Read More...
RRC Commissioners Assess More Than $400,000 in Penalties
May 21, 2020
AUSTIN – The Railroad Commission of Texas assessed $413,046 in fines involving 311 enforcement dockets against operators and businesses at the Commissioners’ Conference on May 20. The Commission has primary oversight and enforcement of the state’s oil and gas industry and intrastate pipeline safety.
Read More...Railroad Commission Further Enhances Its Efficiency
May 19, 2020
AUSTIN – During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Railroad Commission of Texas has made yet another form, Form H-15, available for online filing. This is the second online form the Commission has released in two months; Form W-3, Plugging Record was launched in April.
Oil and gas operators can now go online to easily file Form H-15, Test on an Inactive Well More than 25 Years Old. This test is vital to protecting ground water quality in Texas. On average more than a thousand of these forms are mailed to the agency each month. The new online filing option for Form H-15 saves time for staff and industry.
Read More...Texas Drilling Permits and Completions Statistics for April 2020
May 12, 2020
AUSTIN ––The Railroad Commission of Texas issued a total of 456 original drilling permits in April 2020 compared to 909 in April 2019. The April 2020 total includes 416 permits to drill new oil or gas wells, two to re-enter plugged well bores and 27 for re-completions of existing well bores.
Read More...Railroad Commission Launches Drone Program to Enhance Emergency Response
May 11, 2020
AUSTIN –– Taking advantage of 21st century technology, the Railroad Commission of Texas launched a statewide drone inspection team last month. Drones will help inspectors to quickly respond and inspect sites that are unsafe or inaccessible during emergencies such as fires, flooding and other natural disasters. Drones can also assist in situations, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic, where they provide an alternative to in-person inspections. Read More...
RRC Commissioners Assess $800,000 in Penalties
May 07, 2020
AUSTIN – The Railroad Commission of Texas assessed $801,781 in fines involving 146 enforcement dockets against operators and businesses at the Commissioners’ Conference on May 5. The Commission has primary oversight and enforcement of the state’s oil and gas industry and intrastate pipeline safety.
Read More...Christian Votes No on Proration, Provides Regulatory Relief to Industry
May 05, 2020
AUSTIN – Today, the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) hosted a virtual open meeting where the commissioners discussed common carrier pipeline and refinery storage capacity, the report produced by the Blue Ribbon Task Force for Oil Economic Recovery, and proration.
Read More...ICYMI - CHAIRMAN CHRISTIAN ANNOUNCES HIS POSITION ON PRORATION IN HOUSTON CHRONICLE OP-ED
April 29, 2020
AUSTIN – Today, Chairman Wayne Christian published an op-ed in the Houston Chronicle detailing his thoughts on whether or not the Railroad Commission should “prorate” or limit the production of crude oil in Texas.
Read More...Texas Oil and Gas Production Statistics for February 2020
April 29, 2020
AUSTIN – Crude oil and natural gas production as reported to the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) for February 2020 came from 170,960 oil wells and 86,698 gas wells.
The RRC reports that from March 2019 to February 2020, total Texas reported production was 1.5 billion barrels of crude oil and 8.4 trillion cubic feet of total gas. Crude oil production reported by the RRC is limited to oil produced from oil leases and does not include condensate, which is reported separately by the RRC.
Read More...RRC Commissioners Assess $1.1 Million in Penalties
April 24, 2020
AUSTIN – The Railroad Commission of Texas assessed $1,141,580 in fines involving 212 enforcement dockets against operators and businesses at the Commissioners’ Conference this week. Read More...
RRC Oil and Gas Inspections Exceed Expectations for Fiscal Year 2020
April 23, 2020
AUSTIN – Oil and gas inspectors at the Railroad Commission of Texas have already surpassed annual inspection targets, even with more than four months remaining in the fiscal year.
Read More...Christian Joins CNBC’s The Exchange: “Texas will rise to the occasion”
April 22, 2020
AUSTIN – Today, Railroad Commission Chairman Wayne Christian joined Kelly Evans on CNBC’s The Exchange to discuss the continued conversation on proration and his call for the industry to establish a Blue Ribbon Task Force for oil economic recovery. Read More...
CHAIRMAN CHRISTIAN DISCUSSES PRORATION & ESTABLISHMENT OF TASK FORCE
April 21, 2020
AUSTIN – Today, the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) continued discussion on the issue of proration, ongoing relief initiatives of the agency, and the formation of a Blue Ribbon Task Force for oil economic recovery. Read More...
Christian Joins CNBC’s The Exchange to Discuss Proration & Crude Oil Market Stability
April 16, 2020
AUSTIN – Yesterday, Railroad Commission Chairman Wayne Christian joined Kelly Evans on CNBC’s The Exchange to discuss the agency’s virtual meeting on proration and his thoughts on various efforts to stabilize the worldwide market for crude oil. Read More...
Texas Drilling Permits and Completions Statistics for March 2020
April 15, 2020
The Railroad Commission of Texas issued a total of 744 original drilling permits in March 2020 compared to 1,137 in March 2019. The March 2020 total includes 671 permits to drill new oil or gas wells, six to re-enter plugged well bores and 56 for re-completions of existing well bores.
Read More...Commissioner Ryan Sitton Statement
April 13, 2020
The following statement was issued by Texas Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton in response to the international agreement formalized yesterday to reduce global oil supply and in advance of the Commission’s proration hearing tomorrow.
Read More...RRC Follows Up on Recommendation to Temporarily Halt Gas Disconnections
April 08, 2020
A few weeks ago the Railroad Commission of Texas recommended that gas utilities temporarily suspend disconnecting residents facing financial constraints during the current COVID-19 State of Disaster.
Gas utilities have taken that very important step of voluntarily suspending disconnections, and today the RRC made another announcement in the process.
Read More...Commissioner Craddick asks Comptroller Hegar to Issue Delay on Severance Tax Collections
April 06, 2020
Texas Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick sent a letter to Comptroller Glenn Hegar requesting he extend the monthly deadline to file crude oil and natural gas production taxes, as he has done with the state’s franchise tax deadline.
Read More...Chairman Christian Applauds President Trump on Energy Negotiations
April 02, 2020
AUSTIN – Today, Texas Railroad Commission Chairman Wayne Christian (R) applauded President Donald Trump on his international negotiations to stabilize crude oil prices.
Read More...RRC Increases Transparency in Hearings Process: New Online Portal Will Benefit the Public and Energy Industry
April 02, 2020
Today the Railroad Commission of Texas launched the Case Administration Service Electronic System (RRC CASES) public portal, reaching another milestone in increasing transparency of the agency’s functions.
For the first time, operators can file hearing cases online and the public can go online and access documents in the RRC’s hearings process. Users can search hearings dockets using a variety of criteria including case number, operator name, or RRC district.
Read More...Texas Oil and Gas Production Statistics for January 2020
April 01, 2020
Crude oil and natural gas production as reported to the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) for January 2020 came from 173,067 oil wells and 86,957 gas wells.
The RRC reports that from February 2019 to January 2020, total Texas reported production was 1.5 billion barrels of crude oil and 9.9 trillion cubic feet of total gas. Crude oil production reported by the RRC is limited to oil produced from oil leases and does not include condensate, which is reported separately by the RRC.
Read More...MEDIA ADVISORY: Texas Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton Discusses COVID-19 Energy Demand Model Showing Global Market Oversupplied by at Least 16 Million BPD
March 31, 2020
Energy demand is dropping through the floor due to COVID-19 and the breakdown of the Saudi/Russia oil production alliance is flooding the global oil market with supply. These two factors have led to the oil market being oversupplied by at least 16 million BPD (likely higher).
Read More...It’s an Important Time to Know Before You Dig
March 27, 2020
With many areas of Texas under local stay-at-home orders because of COVID-19 concerns, homeowners may have extra time on their hands to get their back yards ready for the summer or for other landscaping projects.
But residents shouldn’t forget an important safety reminder before digging. They need to call 811 if digging deeper than 16 inches, in order to know where underground pipelines and utility lines are located.
Read More...Railroad Commission Adds More Online Mapping Data for Public Viewing
March 27, 2020
The Railroad Commission of Texas continues to enhance transparency by adding more data to its Public Geographic Information System (GIS) Map Viewer. The public can now view information on Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP) and Brownfield Response Program (BRP) sites around Texas – two programs designed to incentivize the remediation and redevelopment of abandoned oil and gas sites.
Read More...RRC Launches Successful Pilot Webinar for Alternative Fuels Safety Training
March 26, 2020
The Railroad Commission of Texas has now made it more efficient for individuals in the Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) industry to get vital safety training.
Earlier this month the RRC conducted its first webinar for LPG dispenser operators to receive continuing education safety training.The individuals perform services for a variety of activities Texans are involved in. Read More...
RRC Chairman Wayne Christian Comments on Oil Markets, Proration, and Filling SPR
March 20, 2020
As Saudi Arabia and Russia flood the international energy market with a glut of crude oil, prices have dropped to unsustainable levels that threaten the future of the Texas oil and gas industry, its associated benefits to the state economy, and American energy dominance. Read More...
RRC Commissioners Assess Nearly $800,000 in Penalties
March 09, 2020
The Railroad Commission of Texas assessed $781,554 in fines involving 237 enforcement dockets against operators and businesses at the Commissioners’ Conference this week. The Commission has primary oversight and enforcement of the state’s oil and gas industry and intrastate pipeline safety.
Read More...Texas Oil and Gas Production Statistics for December 2019
March 03, 2020
Crude oil and natural gas production as reported to the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) for December 2019 came from 174,016 oil wells and 87,595 gas wells.
Read More...Texas Drilling Permits and Completions Statistics for January 2020
February 25, 2020
The Railroad Commission of Texas issued a total of 1,133 original drilling permits in January 2020 compared 1,199 in January 2019. The January 2020 total included 1,041 permits to drill new oil or gas wells, eight to re-enter plugged well bores and 84 for re-completions of existing well bores. The breakdown of well types for those permits is 310 oil, 61 gas, 751 oil or gas, 33 injection, zero service and one other permit.
Read More...RRC Sends Good News to City of Gorman
February 20, 2020
The Texas Railroad Commission has notified Gorman city leaders they can move forward with any potential plans to revitalize a once-popular lake.
Read More...Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton Releases First Report on Natural Gas Flaring in Texas
February 18, 2020
Today Texas Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton will publicly release his first report on flaring in the state of Texas. Read More...
Texas Oil and Gas Production Statistics for November 2019
February 14, 2020
Crude oil and natural gas production as reported to the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) for November 2019 came from 173,528 oil wells and 88,349 gas wells.
Read More...Railroad Commissioners Act to Help Boost Energy Production in Texas
February 14, 2020
Texas Railroad Commissioners this week adopted a key rule amendment to adapt oil and gas regulations to an evolving energy exploration landscape in the state. Read More...
RRC Commissioners Assess Nearly $1 Million in Penalties
February 13, 2020
The Railroad Commission of Texas assessed $928,816 in fines involving 327 enforcement dockets against operators and businesses at the Commissioners’ conference this week. The Commission has primary oversight and enforcement of the state’s oil and gas industry and intrastate pipeline safety.
Read More...RAILROAD COMMISSION CHAIRMAN CHRISTIAN DISCUSSES FLARING IN TEXAS
February 10, 2020
Flaring is a process used primarily in the production of crude oil in which excess natural gas produced with the oil is burned off at the well head. An operator who wants to flare gas must receive authorization from the Railroad Commission of Texas.
Read More...Railroad Commission Adopts New Pipeline Safety Rules - Prohibits Installation of cast iron pipes; Adds New Requirements for Incident/Accident Reporting
February 06, 2020
New pipeline safety rules adopted by the Railroad Commission of Texas prohibit natural gas distribution pipeline operators from installing underground cast iron, wrought iron or bare steel pipelines. Other new pipeline safety requirements require operators to more thoroughly assess the potential public safety risk of gathering lines. The amendments are effective Read More...
Railroad Commission Announces New Surface Mining & Communications Division Directors
February 03, 2020
The Railroad Commission of Texas announces new directors for the agency’s Surface Mining and Reclamation Division and the Communications Division. Read More...
Christian Gives Keynote Address at World Oil Forecast Breakfast
January 31, 2020
Today, Railroad Commission Chairman Wayne Christian gave the keynote address at the 94th Annual World Oil Forecast Breakfast. Read More...
Railroad Commission Launches Two More Interactive Statewide Data Maps - Provides Drilling Permit and Spud Data
January 27, 2020
The Railroad Commission of Texas this week launches two more interactive data maps showing oil and gas drilling permit approvals and the number of wells spudded, which is when operators begin drilling a well. Information is displayed by counts, operators, county locations and on a statewide level. The data is available 24-hours a day, seven days a week beginning with Calendar Year Read More...
RRC Opens New Lubbock Oil & Gas Field Office
January 22, 2020
The Railroad Commission of Texas is opening a new oil and gas field office in Lubbock to serve energy activity in the northern section of the Permian Basin -- the nation’s top oil and gas producing region.
Read More...RRC Commissioners Assess Nearly $900,000 in Penalties
January 16, 2020
The Railroad Commission of Texas assessed $899,005 in fines involving 222 enforcement dockets against operators and businesses at the Commissioners’ conference this week. The Commission has primary oversight and enforcement of the state’s oil and gas industry and intrastate pipeline Read More...
RRC Staff Processing Standard Drilling Permits in Two Days - Drilling Permit Processing Record Set for Second Year in a Row
January 13, 2020
For two years in a row since 2018, Railroad Commission of Texas staff have set a historic record of taking just two days on average to process standard drilling permits, one day below the Legislative requirement. This efficiency helps foster the growth of energy production statewide. Standard drilling permits are permits that do not require exceptions to Commission rules such spacing or density Read More...
Texas Drilling Permits and Completions Statistics for December 2019
January 09, 2020
The Railroad Commission of Texas (Commission) issued a total of 803 original drilling permits in December 2019 compared to 811 in December 2018. The December 2019 total included 743 permits to drill new oil or gas wells, 8 to re-enter plugged well bores and 52 for re-completions of existing well bores. The breakdown of well types for those permits is 162 oil, 37 gas, Read More...
