News

AUSTIN – Utilizing scientific and engineering analysis, the Railroad Commission of Texas has issued new guidelines that further strengthen permitting of disposal wells in the Permian Basin.

In order to further enhance the integrity of the underground disposal of produced water, new requirements will be implemented for saltwater disposal well (SWD) permit applications in the region. Produced water is a byproduct of oil and gas production and is injected into SWDs.  

New and amended permit applications in the Permian Basin will now be evaluated based on three primary factors:

• An expanded area of review (AOR) at the injection site;
• Limits on the maximum injection pressure at the surface based on geologic properties; and
• Limits on the maximum daily injection volume based on reservoir pressure.

In an AOR, operators are required to assess old or unplugged wells to ensure produced water would not escape through those wellbores. The new guidelines increase the AOR to half a mile – an increase from the current quarter-mile radius.

The new permitting criteria also require operators to demonstrate that their injection pressure will not fracture the confining strata of the reservoirs that produced water is injected into.

Additionally, the RRC will place limits on the maximum volumes that SWDs can inject based on the pressure in the disposal reservoirs.

These changes strengthen the Commission’s disposal well permitting requirements by focusing permitting efforts to ensure injected fluids remain confined to the disposal formations to safeguard ground and surface fresh water.

The new SWD permitting guidelines in the Permian Basin go into effect on June 1. They apply to new and amended permit applications for deep and shallow disposal wells. Applications for disposal wells that are located within 25 kilometers of a seismic event will continue to be reviewed under the agency’s seismicity review guidelines.

AUSTIN – The Railroad Commission of Texas assessed $1,182,148 in enforcement docket fines against operators and businesses at the Commissioners’ open meeting on Tuesday.  The Commission has primary oversight and enforcement of the state’s oil and gas industry and intrastate pipeline safety.

Master Default Orders for operators that failed to appear at Commission enforcement proceedings can be found on the RRC Hearings Division web page.

Master Agreed Orders in which operators were ordered to come into compliance with Commission rules can be found on the RRC General Counsel web page.  

Below is a summary table of fines assessed.

In the absence of timely motions for rehearing, decisions are final as stated in these final orders.

AUSTIN – The Railroad Commission of Texas issued a total of 750 original drilling permits in April 2025. The total includes 665 to drill new oil or gas wells, 19 to re-enter plugged wellbores, 8 field transfers, 56 for re-completion, and 2 reclass.

The breakdown of well types for total original drilling permits in April 2025 is: 127 oil, 36 gas, 549 oil and gas, 28 injection, and 10 other permits.

In April 2025, Commission staff processed 1,571 oil, 445 gas, and 503 injection completions.

Detailed data on drilling permits and well completions for the month can be found at this link:

https://www.rrc.texas.gov/oil-and-gas/research-and-statistics/drilling-information/monthly-drilling-completion-and-plugging-summaries/

APRIL 2025 TEXAS OIL AND GAS NEW DRILLING PERMITS AND COMPLETIONS BY RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS DISTRICT*

*A district map is available on the Railroad Commission of Texas website at https://rrc.texas.gov/media/3bkhbut0/districts_color_8x11.pdf.

AUSTIN – Statewide and county crude oil and natural gas production for February 2025 reported in the tables below came from 157,590 oil wells and 83,713 gas wells.

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. For full oil and gas production statistics, you can visit the links below.

Statewide totals: https://www.rrc.texas.gov/oil-and-gas/research-and-statistics/production-data/texas-monthly-oil-gas-production/

County rankings: https://www.rrc.texas.gov/oil-and-gas/research-and-statistics/production-data/texas-monthly-oil-gas-production-by-county-ranking/

TABLE 1 - February 2025 STATEWIDE PRODUCTION*

 * These are preliminary figures based on production volumes reported by operators and will be updated as late and corrected production reports are received.

TABLE 2 - February 2024 STATEWIDE PRODUCTION

TABLE 3 – February 2025 TEXAS TOP TEN CRUDE OIL PRODUCING COUNTIES RANKED BY PRELIMINARY PRODUCTION

TABLE 4 – February 2025 TEXAS TOP TEN TOTAL GAS (GAS WELL GAS & CASINGHEAD) PRODUCING COUNTIES RANKED BY PRELIMINARY PRODUCTION

TABLE 5 – February 2025 TEXAS TOP TEN TOTAL CONDENSATE PRODUCING COUNTIES RANKED BY PRELIMINARY PRODUCTION

AUSTIN – The Railroad Commission of Texas assessed $1,372,720 in enforcement docket fines against operators and businesses at the Commissioners’ open meeting on Tuesday.  The Commission has primary oversight and enforcement of the state’s oil and gas industry and intrastate pipeline safety.

Master Default Orders for operators that failed to appear at Commission enforcement proceedings can be found on the RRC Hearings Division web page.

Master Agreed Orders in which operators were ordered to come into compliance with Commission rules can be found on the RRC General Counsel web page.  

Below is a summary table of fines assessed.

In the absence of timely motions for rehearing, decisions are final as stated in these final orders.

AUSTIN – The Railroad Commission of Texas had the privilege to welcome Scott Mason, the Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 Administrator to Austin on April 29.

Mason met with commissioners during the RRC’s monthly open meeting at the Commission headquarters, reinforcing the two organizations’ long standing regulatory relationship. During the meeting they also signed an Underground Injection Control (UIC) program Memorandum of Agreement ensuring a strong partnership between state and EPA staff to effectively manage the UIC program.

The EPA has commended the RRC’s UIC program with the EPA Region 6’s annual evaluations highlighting the RRC’s strong oversight of injection wells in protecting underground sources of drinking water and our continuing work mitigating seismicity – all while supporting one of the most productive energy sectors in the world.

"We were pleased to welcome EPA Administrator Scott Mason to the Railroad Commission as we work together to protect natural resources and support energy independence," said Chairwoman Christi Craddick. "In less than 100 days into a new White House administration, we are already making great progress with our partners at the federal level. Working with Administrator Mason strengthens our efforts to protect the environment while ensuring Texas remains a leader in energy and economic growth. Together, we will keep our energy strong and economy free while promoting prosperity, protecting our environment and keeping the economic miracle alive and well in Texas!"

“It’s a new dawn at the EPA under the leadership of the Trump Administration and Regional Administrator Scott Mason, who value EPA’s true mission of safeguarding America’s environment and citizens over radical activism,” said Commissioner Wayne Christian. “The Lone Star State is world renowned for providing safe, reliable energy, and I look forward to a great working relationship with Regional Administrator Mason and President Trump’s EPA to ensure Texas remains on top. As the EPA works on finalizing approval for the Commission to permit carbon capture utilization and storage, I’ll be interested to see if any future permits are reliant on taxpayer dollars and scrutinizing those that do.” 

“It was an honor to have EPA Region 6 Administrator Scott Mason at today’s Railroad Commission Conference,” said Commissioner Jim Wright. “Collaboration between the EPA and the Railroad Commission is of the utmost importance as it ensures our domestic energy production continues to be a driving force to the Texas economy. I look forward to working with the new EPA leadership to usher in a new era of collaboration to further enhance the environmental and economic well-being of our nation.”

The RRC welcomes this continued engagement and partnership with Region 6, the EPA and White House and is ready to build on this momentum.  Texans can be assured the RRC will fully utilize its regulatory expertise, experience and oversight to protect the public interest and continue to strengthen a thriving Texas economy and energy industry.

AUSTIN – The Railroad Commission of Texas continues to make great strides in digitizing oil and gas records as the agency improves both transparency and efficiency in its daily functions.

With more than 89.4 million records now digitized – up by more than six million since last October – the RRC is fast approaching 100 million records being added to its online digital archives by the end of this fiscal year. The accomplishment saves RRC staff significant man hours and reduces the processing time for routine records requests, allowing them to focus on more complex tasks that require more time to fulfill.

The RRC has nearly a century’s worth of oil and gas records on file and has been tirelessly working to digitize and upload this vast trove of paper and microfilm information to make it more easily available to the public who can now access them online rather than having to travel in person to the RRC’s Central Records office in Austin or hire a consultant to search the records for them.

“This milestone represents a major step forward for the Railroad Commission and for government transparency and efficiency,” said Chairman Christi Craddick. “When I took office, the agency relied on decades-old technology. Modernizing our IT systems has been a top priority of mine — increasing efficiency within the agency and ensuring greater transparency and easier access to data and records for all Texans. Reaching nearly 100 million digitized records is a clear sign of our continued success in fully bringing the world’s oldest regulatory agency into the 21st century.”

“For years now, the Railroad Commission has been rapidly modernizing our agency to meet the demands of the technological age. Texas oil and gas leads the industry in innovation, so it’s imperative that its regulator does the same,” said Commissioner Wayne Christian. “I want to commend our agency’s staff for their hard work digitizing the RRC, which will streamline government allowing our producers more time to do what they do best—produce cheap, affordable, and reliable energy.” 

"Agency efficiency is a priority for the Railroad Commission," said Commissioner Jim Wright. "This digitalization effort not only improves the efficiency of Commission staff but allows greater access for all Texans to review and search the Railroad Commission’s vast trove of records. I want to thank the Railroad Commission staff involved in this effort for their tireless work to improve access to this important information.”

Documents that have been digitized range from oil and gas production and well completion records to hearing files, well status reports and various types of permits. These records are routinely used by researchers, landowners, royalty owners, energy companies and public information requesters.

Records that have been digitized can be found on the RRC’s website at:

https://www.rrc.texas.gov/resource-center/research/research-queries/imaged-records/imaged-records-menu/

AUSTIN – Today, President Donald Trump signed executive orders to revitalize the use of coal as an American energy source. The orders signal an end to the Biden/Obama-era coal moratorium and directs federal agencies to encourage coal powered development.  

“President Trump is fulfilling his promise to drive down energy prices and make America energy dominant again by revitalizing American coal production,” said RRC Commissioner Wayne Christian. “Texas’ power needs are going to increase by 100,000 MW – or 40% – by 2030, according to ERCOT. Making coal power great again is one of the best ways to meet that increased demand, lower costs, and keep the lights on. America has at least 422 years of coal reserves, and we should use every bit of it to provide cheap, reliable energy to consumers.”

Christian continued, “For more than a century, coal has been a reliable energy source making our modern way of life possible. It wasn't until radical environmentalists created the Net Zero fantasy that the United States and the rest of the developed world abandoned coal production and coal-fired electric generation. As a result, many coal plants – like the one in Hallsville, Texas – have been run out of business by their own government after decades by ‘woke’ energy policies and replaced with taxpayer-subsidized wind and solar powered projects — which are costly and unreliable.”

AUSTIN – The Railroad Commission of Texas issued a total of 696 original drilling permits in March 2025. The total includes 613 to drill new oil or gas wells, 15 to re-enter plugged wellbores, 5 field transfers, 1 reclass and 62 for re-completion.

The breakdown of well types for total original drilling permits in March 2025 is: 137 oil, 52 gas, 469 oil and gas, 20 injection, 1 service, and 17 other permits.

In March 2025, Commission staff processed 1,483 oil, 456 gas, and 385 injection completions.

Detailed data on drilling permits and well completions for the month can be found at this link:

https://www.rrc.texas.gov/oil-and-gas/research-and-statistics/drilling-information/monthly-drilling-completion-and-plugging-summaries/

FEBRUARY 2025 TEXAS OIL AND GAS NEW DRILLING PERMITS AND COMPLETIONS BY RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS DISTRICT

AUSTIN –– Statewide and county crude oil and natural gas production for January 2025 reported in the tables below came from 158,555 oil wells and 83,176 gas wells.

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. For full oil and gas production statistics, you can visit the links below.

Statewide totals: https://www.rrc.texas.gov/oil-and-gas/research-and-statistics/production-data/texas-monthly-oil-gas-production/

County rankings: https://www.rrc.texas.gov/oil-and-gas/research-and-statistics/production-data/texas-monthly-oil-gas-production-by-county-ranking/

TABLE 1 - January 2025 STATEWIDE PRODUCTION*

* These are preliminary figures based on production volumes reported by operators and will be updated as late and corrected production reports are received.

TABLE 2 - January 2024 STATEWIDE PRODUCTION

TABLE 3 – January 2025 TEXAS TOP TEN CRUDE OIL PRODUCING COUNTIES RANKED BY PRELIMINARY PRODUCTION

TABLE 4 – January 2025 TEXAS TOP TEN TOTAL GAS (GAS WELL GAS & CASINGHEAD) PRODUCING COUNTIES RANKED BY PRELIMINARY PRODUCTION

TABLE 5 – January 2025 TEXAS TOP TEN TOTAL CONDENSATE PRODUCING COUNTIES RANKED BY PRELIMINARY PRODUCTION

AUSTIN – The Railroad Commission of Texas assessed $1,888,364 in enforcement docket fines against operators and businesses at the Commissioners’ open meeting on Wednesday.  The Commission has primary oversight and enforcement of the state’s oil and gas industry and intrastate pipeline safety.

Master Default Orders for operators that failed to appear at Commission enforcement proceedings can be found on the RRC Hearings Division web page.

Master Agreed Orders in which operators were ordered to come into compliance with Commission rules can be found on the RRC General Counsel web page.  

Below is a summary table of fines assessed.

In the absence of timely motions for rehearing, decisions are final as stated in these final orders.

AUSTIN – The RRC’s long history of common sense, science-based regulation of the oil and gas industry has safeguarded Texas communities and the environment while also fostering responsible production benefitting the state economy and America’s energy independence.

The Texas oil and gas industry continued a hot streak in 2024 with production volumes surpassing records that were set in 2023.  

The Railroad Commission tallies production reports submitted by operators and the latest reports show these record-setting volumes in 2024:

• Oil production was 2,003,844,281 barrels, the first time it surpassed the two billion threshold; and
• Natural gas production was 12.62 trillion cubic feet.

“These latest records further demonstrate Texas’s position as a global leader in oil and gas production,” said RRC Chairman Christi Craddick. “This also proves that with sensible regulations backed by science and data, it is possible to achieve unmatched economic prosperity while at the same time upholding the mission to safeguard our communities and natural resources.”

“Texas oil and gas powers the state, nation and the world both with energy and economics,” said RRC Commissioner Wayne Christian. “The Texas ‘Economic Miracle’ happens because of oil and gas, which brings in hundreds of billions of dollars that has financially enriched the Lone Star State’s education, infrastructure, health care and more. Energy independence is key to a secure and prosperous nation, and Texas’ production is vital to making that a reality. With President Donald Trump, America now has a federal government that will encourage U.S. oil and gas production, which will lead to more energy, cheaper costs and a stronger nation.”

“Yet another year of record-breaking energy production reinforces what Texans have long known - that Texas energy fuels our nation’s economy and those of our friends and allies across the globe,” said RRC Commissioner Jim Wright. “While Texas energy is utilized worldwide, it is our state and our citizens who truly benefit through the high paying jobs and severance tax revenue that these record setting production figures represent.” 

Tax revenue from oil and gas production is funneled into major components of the state budget including public education, the Rainy Day Fund and transportation.

The 2024 production figures build on a recent trend of annual records as seen in the tables below.

Top 5 Oil Production Years (crude oil and condensate)                              

Top 5 Gas Production Years (gas well and casinghead gas)                                   

AUSTIN – The U.S. Department of the Interior Office of the Inspector General has released an audit report showing the Railroad Commission of Texas successfully used federal grant funding for orphaned well plugging and complied with all related laws and regulations.

The RRC utilized its 40 years of well plugging expertise to expend a $25 million Initial Grant from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) passed by Congress. The agency plugged more than 760 orphaned wells through the Initial Grant.

The Inspector General concluded that “We found that the State of Texas properly expended IIJA orphaned well initial grant funds and fulfilled program goals in accordance with applicable laws, Federal regulations, and grant terms…We make no recommendations as there are not reportable findings.” The audit also noted that the RRC “performs enhanced monitoring on all the contractual work performed on the well-plugging using IIJA funds” submitting daily reports on all completed work and costs as well as performing three levels of review to ensure invoice accuracy.

 

The majority of oil and gas wells that are no longer producing are plugged by the responsible operators. If an operator is non-compliant or goes out of business the well is considered orphaned, and the Railroad Commission administers a program to plug the wells.  The IIJA grants supplement state funds that are used annually to plug orphaned wells across the state.

The RRC is now utilizing the first phase of IIJA Formula Grants to plug wells. However, the formula grants include administrative hurdles that are not specified in the IIJA, such as reviews of Endangered Species Act compliance and compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act, that significantly delay plugging projects. In fact, in the first 12 months of the IIJA Formula Grant, the RRC plugged 45 percent fewer wells using federal funds than were plugged during the first 12 months of the IIJA Initial Grant due to the reviews.

“We are proud to remain a leader in well plugging efforts nationwide and look forward to working with the new Secretary of the Interior to expeditiously plug wells in Texas,” said RRC Executive Director Wei Wang. “According to a recent Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission study, thanks to RRC’s robust state managed plugging program, Texas has seen one of the lowest increases in orphaned well population. We would urge our federal partners to examine and remove the red tape implemented by the previous program staff.   Texas stands ready and we are more than capable of accomplishing this important work efficiently.”

A copy of the Department of the Interior Inspector General Report can be found at https://www.doioig.gov/reports/audit/infrastructure-investment-and-jobs-act-orphaned-well-initial-grant-awarded-state.

AUSTIN – This week President Donald Trump signed the Congressional Review Act (CRA) repeal of the Biden administration’s natural gas tax. This legislative action nullifies the methane fee imposed by the Biden administration on oil and natural gas production, which would have driven up costs to producers and American consumers.

“President Trump’s overturning of Biden’s natural gas tax is one of the many actions his administration has taken to set America back on course toward American Energy Dominance,” said Commissioner Wayne Christian. “During his first term, President Trump led a reliable energy resurgence which gave us energy independence and a roaring economy—and he’s teeing up to do it again. This tax would have been the death knell for small ‘mom and pop’ operators, who produce more than 83% of America’s oil and gas. I want to congratulate the President, Senator John Hoeven, and Congressman August Pfluger on this monumental achievement which defends independent producers—the backbone of American oil and gas.”

For Texas, this legislation is vital. As the nation's largest producer of oil and gas, Texas is the source for America’s reliable energy. If the Lone Star State were its own country, Texas would be the world's third largest producer of gas and fourth largest producer of oil. The industry is vital to the state’s economic success bringing in billions of dollars to benefit the State and supports about 38% of the overall economy. Texas also represents about one-third of the nation’s LNG exports. With growing global demand for LNG, Texas catapulted America to be the world's top LNG exporter.

Christian continued, “Last year, Biden’s own EPA said the quiet part out loud that the industry is already mitigating methane emissions, revealing that the true motive behind the tax all along was to squeeze the life out of the oil and gas industry. Radical environmentalists love to pick and choose ‘science’ that justifies their ‘sky is falling’ narrative, which is that the world is ending and fossil fuels are to blame. But this couldn’t be further from the truth, just like they like to ignore the fact that EPA regulated emissions are down 78% in the last fifty years.”

In 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported that methane emissions from the largest oil and natural gas-producing basins fell 44% between 2011-2013; and also dropped in seven oil and natural gas-producing basins by up to 87% from 2019-2023.

A lifelong conservative businessman, Wayne Christian was elected as our 50th Texas Railroad Commissioner in November 2016. Prior to his time at the Commission, Christian served seven sessions in the Texas House of Representatives, accumulating a strong record of standing for free markets and against burdensome regulations. Christian is married to his wife, Lisa, and together they have three daughters, Liza, Lindsey and Lauren. You can learn more about Chairman Christian here.

AUSTIN – This week Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin announced his agency will take 31 actions to roll back onerous Biden and Obama era regulations.

Included in these actions will be a reconsideration of the 2009 ill-named 'endangerment finding', which made greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, pollutants subject to agency regulation.

This finding provided the legal framework to regulate CO2 and enabled the Net Zero movement to gain traction both in the United States and worldwide. Following EPA Administrator Zeldin’s actions, Texas Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian said the following:

“President Trump promised Americans he’d scrap Net Zero, the Green New Deal and other radical environmental policies that stifle American fossil fuel production and inhibit his mission to re-establish American Energy Dominance. The Net Zero agenda is a fantasy built on a house of cards, and EPA Administrator Zeldin’s reconsideration of the ‘endangerment finding’ will knock it down. Because America reduced EPA’s six major regulated pollutants by 78% over the last half century, the Left had to invent CO2 as a pollutant – creating a boogeyman – to justify their continued war on fossil fuels. I applaud President Trump and EPA Administrator Zeldin in their effort to challenge climate catastrophists and put America’s reliable energy producers first.”

A lifelong conservative businessman, Wayne Christian was elected as our 50th Texas Railroad Commissioner in November 2016. Prior to his time at the Commission, Christian served seven sessions in the Texas House of Representatives, accumulating a strong record of standing for free markets and against burdensome regulations. Christian is married to his wife, Lisa, and together they have three daughters, Liza, Lindsey and Lauren. You can learn more about Chairman Christian here.

AUSTIN – The Railroad Commission of Texas issued a total of 665 original drilling permits in February 2025. The total includes 563 to drill new oil or gas wells, 11 to re-enter plugged wellbores, 16 field transfers and 75 for re-completions.

The breakdown of well types for total original drilling permits in February 2025 is: 105 oil, 34 gas, 487 oil and gas, 34 injection, and 5 other permits.

In February 2025, Commission staff processed 1,239 oil, 305 gas, and 395 injection completions.

Detailed data on drilling permits and well completions for the month can be found at this link:

https://www.rrc.texas.gov/oil-and-gas/research-and-statistics/drilling-information/monthly-drilling-completion-and-plugging-summaries/

FEBRUARY 2025 TEXAS OIL AND GAS NEW DRILLING PERMITS AND COMPLETIONS BY RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS DISTRICT*

AUSTIN – Statewide and county crude oil and natural gas production for December 2024 reported in the tables below came from 158,989 oil wells and 83,536 gas wells.

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. For full oil and gas production statistics, you can visit the links below.

Statewide totals: https://www.rrc.texas.gov/oil-and-gas/research-and-statistics/production-data/texas-monthly-oil-gas-production/

County rankings: https://www.rrc.texas.gov/oil-and-gas/research-and-statistics/production-data/texas-monthly-oil-gas-production-by-county-ranking/

TABLE 1 - December 2024 STATEWIDE PRODUCTION*

* These are preliminary figures based on production volumes reported by operators and will be updated as late and corrected production reports are received.

TABLE 2 - December 2023 STATEWIDE PRODUCTION

TABLE 3 – December 2024 TEXAS TOP TEN CRUDE OIL PRODUCING COUNTIES RANKED BY PRELIMINARY PRODUCTION

TABLE 4 – December 2024 TEXAS TOP TEN TOTAL GAS (GAS WELL GAS & CASINGHEAD) PRODUCING COUNTIES RANKED BY PRELIMINARY PRODUCTION

TABLE 5 – December 2024 TEXAS TOP TEN TOTAL CONDENSATE PRODUCING COUNTIES RANKED BY PRELIMINARY PRODUCTION

AUSTIN – The Railroad Commission of Texas has issued its first permit for a deep geo-pressured, geothermal well to Sage Geosystems in Atascosa County.

Located south of San Antonio in the Anaconcho Formation, this well permit marks a significant milestone in Texas’ energy sector as the first deep geo-pressured, geothermal permit issued since the Texas Legislature transferred regulatory authority for these types of wells from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to the RRC.

The well will be utilized in electricity generation by the San Miguel Electric Cooperative to serve its customers. Sage Geosystems has entered into a land use agreement with the cooperative to develop a three-megawatt Geopressured Geothermal System energy storage facility.

“Texas has been at the forefront of energy regulation and innovation for more than a century, and this transition has streamlined the permitting process for geothermal wells and reinforced the Commission’s leadership in emerging energy technologies,” said RRC Executive Director Wei Wang. “We remain dedicated to adapting our regulatory approach to facilitate the growth of new energy technologies while upholding the highest standards of environmental and public safety as we have done for more than a century.”

The RRC’s regulatory framework ensures that all geothermal projects adhere to rigorous environmental and safety standards while helping develop this emerging industry which has substantial skill and technology overlap with oil and gas industry.

AUSTIN – The Railroad Commission of Texas assessed $1,346,019 in enforcement docket fines against operators and businesses at the Commissioners’ open meeting on Wednesday.  The Commission has primary oversight and enforcement of the state’s oil and gas industry and intrastate pipeline safety.

Master default orders for operators that failed to appear at Commission enforcement proceedings can be found on the RRC Hearings Division web page.

Master Agreed Orders in which operators were ordered to come into compliance with Commission rules can be found on the RRC General Counsel web page.  

Below is a summary table of fines assessed.

In the absence of timely motions for rehearing, decisions are final as stated in these final orders.

AUSTIN – A Central Texas landowner is breathing a sigh of relief thanks to an RRC program that restored her property to its natural state.

The RRC’s Abandoned Mine Land (AML) program recently completed a project restoring land that was at an abandoned mine site in Rockdale, about 50 miles east of Austin. The extensive work over the course of a couple of months involved earthwork, erosion control, repairing more than 450 sinkholes, and revegetation.

The sinkholes had been fatal for some of the cattle on the property when they became trapped in the holes in the ground hidden by brush.  

Pre-reclamation sinkhole

Reclaimed land

AML has now completed more than 105 projects since 1977 with a distinct high-tech aspect added to the RRC’s decades of expertise.  

“We’ve been leveraging modern technology for our AML projects as the years have progressed, and the Rockdale project is a great example,” said Joe Parks, RRC Surface Mining and Reclamation Division Director. “We used drones and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) to examine the land and properly identify sinkholes and previous mining. A LiDAR created detailed 3D maps of surfaces using laser pulses measuring depth and distances.”

Watch video of Linda Hicks, the property owner, talking about how grateful she is for the work the RRC did restoring her land: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nN3b9qD48so.

AUSTIN – The Railroad Commission of Texas issued a total of 666 original drilling permits in January 2025. The total includes 607 to drill new oil or gas wells, 6 to re-enter plugged wellbores, and 53 for re-completions.

The breakdown of well types for total original drilling permits in January 2025 is: 134 oil, 26 gas, 463 oil and gas, 32 injection, 5 service and 6 other permits.

In January 2025, Commission staff processed 1,340 oil, 377 gas, and 290 injection completions.

Detailed data on drilling permits and well completions for the month can be found at this link:

https://www.rrc.texas.gov/oil-and-gas/research-and-statistics/drilling-information/monthly-drilling-completion-and-plugging-summaries/

January 2025 TEXAS OIL AND GAS NEW DRILLING PERMITS AND COMPLETIONS BY RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS DISTRICT*

Statewide and county crude oil and natural gas production for November 2024 reported in the tables below came from 159,727 oil wells and 82,958 gas wells.

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. For full oil and gas production statistics, you can visit the links below.

Statewide totals: https://www.rrc.texas.gov/oil-and-gas/research-and-statistics/production-data/texas-monthly-oil-gas-production/

County rankings: https://www.rrc.texas.gov/oil-and-gas/research-and-statistics/production-data/texas-monthly-oil-gas-production-by-county-ranking/

TABLE 1 - NOVEMBER 2024 STATEWIDE PRODUCTION*

* These are preliminary figures based on production volumes reported by operators and will be updated as late and corrected production reports are received.

TABLE 2 - NOVEMBER 2023 STATEWIDE PRODUCTION

TABLE 3 – NOVEMBER 2024 TEXAS TOP TEN CRUDE OIL PRODUCING COUNTIES RANKED BY PRELIMINARY PRODUCTION

TABLE 4 – NOVEMBER 2024 TEXAS TOP TEN TOTAL GAS (GAS WELL GAS & CASINGHEAD) PRODUCING COUNTIES RANKED BY PRELIMINARY PRODUCTION

TABLE 5 – NOVEMBER 2024 TEXAS TOP TEN TOTAL CONDENSATE PRODUCING COUNTIES RANKED BY PRELIMINARY PRODUCTION

AUSTIN - The Railroad Commission of Texas assessed $1,524,265 in enforcement docket fines against operators and businesses at the Commissioners’ open meeting on Wednesday.  The Commission has primary oversight and enforcement of the state’s oil and gas industry and intrastate pipeline safety.

Master default orders for operators that failed to appear at Commission enforcement proceedings can be found on the RRC Hearings Division web page.

Master Agreed Orders in which operators were ordered to come into compliance with Commission rules can be found on the RRC General Counsel web page.

Below is a table outlining the fines assessed.

In the absence of timely motions for rehearing, decisions are final as stated in these final orders.

AUSTIN – Texas Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian released the following statement today on President Donald Trump’s Executive Orders supporting reliable energy production in America:

“On day one, President Trump prioritized actions to undo some of the harmful, radical policies from the last administration and set America on a course toward energy independence. His executive orders will grow U.S. fossil fuel production by incentivizing new investments and unleashing new areas of production, which will lead to more energy, cheaper costs and a more secure nation.

“The last year has seen the turning of the tide against ‘woke’ energy agendas and unrealistic environmental policies in America and across the globe. Radical, anti-energy policies like ESG are finally being revealed to be the scam that they are, from major U.S. investment banks withdrawing from global ‘climate’ organizations to a federal judge ruling that ESG is a violation of fiduciary responsibility. They don’t work, they’re based on fantasy ideals and leave hard working Americans worse off. President Trump withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accords and other globalist cohorts will only further fuel the fire to the domestic reliable energy renaissance that the Americans will benefit from.

“As Commissioner of the largest oil and gas producing state in the nation, I look forward to President Trump’s leadership and having an ally in the White House. Energy is the catalyst to a better everything in our lives and the economy, and having access to cheap, clean and reliable sources is paramount to human flourishing. To my fellow Texans, I hope you’re ready to ‘drill, baby, drill’ and reap the benefits that increased production will do for the State and your individual lives.”

Background: In 2019, the U.S. became a net exporter of energy for the first time in 67 years, surpassing Saudi Arabia and Russia to become the largest producer of oil and gas in the world. This gave the nation affordable energy, thousands of new jobs, economic growth and national security. America achieved this by simply empowering, instead of attacking, domestic oil and gas producers.

A lifelong conservative businessman, Wayne Christian was elected as our 50th Texas Railroad Commissioner in November 2016. Prior to his time at the Commission, Christian served seven sessions in the Texas House of Representatives, accumulating a strong record of standing for free markets and against burdensome regulations. Christian is married to his wife, Lisa, and together they have three daughters, Liza, Lindsey and Lauren. You can learn more about Chairman Christian here.

AUSTIN – This week the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is accepting final comments on pending rulemaking (Rule Project Number 2024-027-113-AI) to establish new methane requirements for oil and natural gas operations in Texas.

This state rule implementation is required by federal law under the Biden administration and imposes undue burdens on U.S. oil and gas operators, especially small producers who lack the resources of multinational corporations. These rules are part of a larger agenda that threatens not only the state’s energy independence but also the livelihood of numerous Texans who rely on this industry.

As a state leader overseeing the oil and gas industry, Texas Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian sent a letter to the TCEQ commissioners with concerns and a request to halt implementation of the Biden rule.

“The Biden administration has taken over 250 actions to end oil and gas production, and this new methane rule is one of the many aimed at stifling large producing states like Texas,” said Commissioner Wayne Christian. “The real victim of President Biden’s methane rule won’t be ‘Big Oil’ – which is why many of them haven’t opposed this rule – it will be the small and independent producers. EPA’s stringent methane regulations impose significant compliance costs and operational burdens that many smaller producers will find insurmountable, while doing little to reduce emissions. Simply put: this rule will shut down tens of thousands of Texas wells, folks.”

“Elections have consequences, and the American people decided that the Biden administration’s energy and environmental agenda aren’t in their best interest,” Commissioner Christian continued. “President-elect Donald Trump once rescinded this Obama-era rule and Biden revived it. The fate of these punitive rules on producers is far from over; and as such, I would advise caution and patience in any state administration of this federal overreach. Relief from Washington bureaucrats in the DC swamp is on the way; let’s wait for the cavalry to arrive before surrendering.”

You can read the letter here.

Background:

Since 2021, Commissioner Wayne Christian has been a vocal opponent against President Biden’s EPA methane rule. In 2023, when EPA finalized their rule, Commissioner Christian continued to warn of the dangers the rule would have to independent producers and America’s energy security. In 2024, Christian highlighted an EPA report that demonstrated that methane emissions had plummeted in the nation’s highest producing regions, revealing that the true motive behind Biden’s policies was to end the oil and gas industry. Additionally in 2024, the three Texas Railroad Commissioners voted to instruct the Texas Attorney General’s office to challenge the rule in court.

A lifelong conservative businessman, Wayne Christian was elected as our 50th Texas Railroad Commissioner in November 2016. Prior to his time at the Commission, Christian served seven sessions in the Texas House of Representatives, accumulating a strong record of standing for free markets and against burdensome regulations. Christian is married to his wife, Lisa, and together they have three daughters, Liza, Lindsey and Lauren. You can learn more about Chairman Christian here.

Statewide and county crude oil and natural gas production for October 2024 reported in the tables below came from 159,986 oil wells and 83,497 gas wells.

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. For full oil and gas production statistics, you can visit the links below.

Statewide totals: https://www.rrc.texas.gov/oil-and-gas/research-and-statistics/production-data/texas-monthly-oil-gas-production/

County rankings: https://www.rrc.texas.gov/oil-and-gas/research-and-statistics/production-data/texas-monthly-oil-gas-production-by-county-ranking/

TABLE 1 - October 2024 STATEWIDE PRODUCTION*

* These are preliminary figures based on production volumes reported by operators and will be updated as late and corrected production reports are received.

TABLE 2 - October 2023 STATEWIDE PRODUCTION

TABLE 3 – October 2024 TEXAS TOP TEN CRUDE OIL PRODUCING COUNTIES RANKED BY PRELIMINARY PRODUCTION

TABLE 4 – October 2024 TEXAS TOP TEN TOTAL GAS (GAS WELL GAS & CASINGHEAD) PRODUCING COUNTIES RANKED BY PRELIMINARY PRODUCTION

TABLE 5 – October 2024 TEXAS TOP TEN TOTAL CONDENSATE PRODUCING COUNTIES RANKED BY PRELIMINARY PRODUCTION

AUSTIN – For more than a month the Railroad Commission of Texas has taken important steps to help ensure adequate natural gas supply for winter weather, including this week’s wintry conditions. Starting in the first week of December, RRC’s Critical Infrastructure Division (CID) began weatherization inspections of critical natural gas facilities in the state’s electricity supply chain.

CID has conducted more than 1,200 inspections, including all of what are known as Tier One facilities which are major components of gas supply – oil and gas leases that produce more than 5 million cubic feet of gas per day, gas processing plants, underground gas storage facilities, and natural gas pipelines that directly connect to electricity generation plants.  

Natural gas that is stored underground is also an important resource that can be withdrawn and utilized during weather emergencies. There was 522.4 billion cubic feet of working natural gas in underground storage in Texas as of the end of November 2024, which is the highest monthly total in the 25 years the RRC has tracked storage volumes.

“As we have done in past cycles, we will continue to stay on top of bad winter weather with inspections and calls with oil and gas operators,” said Danny Sorrells, RRC Deputy Executive Director. “We take every step we can to make sure gas flows to power plants and for home heating, and we want to reassure Texans that the agency takes an all-hands-on deck approach to protect residents in weather emergencies.”

The RRC’s winter weatherization inspections of critical natural gas facilities last through the end of March.

AUSTIN – The Railroad Commission of Texas issued a total of 630 original drilling permits in December 2024. The total includes 580 to drill new oil or gas wells, 13 to re-enter plugged wellbores, 5 field transfers, and 32 for re-completions.

The breakdown of well types for total original drilling permits in December 2024 is: 126 oil, 44 gas, 445 oil and gas, 10 injection, 1 service and 4 other permits.

In December 2024, Commission staff processed 1,431 oil, 248 gas, and 670 injection completions.

Detailed data on drilling permits and well completions for the month can be found at this link:

https://www.rrc.texas.gov/oil-and-gas/research-and-statistics/drilling-information/monthly-drilling-completion-and-plugging-summaries/

TABLE 1 – DECEMBER 2024 TEXAS OIL AND GAS NEW DRILLING PERMITS AND COMPLETIONS BY RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS DISTRICT*