OIL AND GAS

RRC Working on Proactive Measures for the Upcoming Winter

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

While the Railroad Commission of Texas continues implementing legislation to help fortify the state’s energy supply for weather emergencies, the agency is taking steps to get ahead of the game.

As we come off the summer season, the Commission issued a Notice to Operators asking gas facility and gas pipeline facility operators to take all necessary actions as they prepare to operate during winter season 2021-2022.

“We want to ensure we have done our best to help protect Texans if there is severe weather next winter,” said Wei Wang, RRC Executive director. “The RRC will work with natural gas operators in preparation for the upcoming winter. We are reminding them of updating their information with their electric providers for critical load serving electric generation, and letting them know of best practices for winter preparation and be prepared.”

The critical load application, which is an ERCOT form, and weatherization best practices are part of the Notice to Operators that was issued.

In addition, the agency will work with large gas producers, natural gas storage facilities, transmission pipelines around the state on their winter preparedness; RRC inspectors will also visit sites to observe preparedness of operators who are modifying their facilities as they transition from summer to winter operations.

For more information, please visit rrc.texas.gov.

Source: Railroad Commission of Texas

OIL AND GAS

Texas Drilling Permit and Completion Statistics for September 2021

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

The Railroad Commission of Texas issued a total of 801 original drilling permits in September 2021 compared to 437 in September 2020. The September 2021 total includes 714 permits to drill new oil or gas wells, four to re-enter plugged wellbores, and 77 for re-completions of existing wellbores.

The breakdown of well types for original drilling permits in September 2021 is 179 oil, 77 gas, 502 oil or gas, 38 injection, and five other permits.

In September 2021, Commission staff processed 581 oil, 158 gas and 265 injection completions for new drills, re-entries and re-completions, compared to 902 oil, 147 gas, and 119 injection completions in September 2020.

Total well completions processed for 2021 year-to-date for new drills, re-entries and re-completions are 7,016 compared to 11,917 recorded during the same period in 2020.

TABLE 1 – SEPTEMBER 2021 TEXAS OIL AND GAS NEW DRILLING PERMITS AND COMPLETIONS BY RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS DISTRICT*

DISTRICT

PERMITS TO DRILL NEW OIL/GAS HOLES

NEW OIL COMPLETIONS

NEW GAS COMPLETIONS

(1) SAN ANTONIO AREA (2) REFUGIO AREA (3) SOUTHEAST TEXAS (4) DEEP SOUTH TEXAS (5) EAST CENTRAL TX (6) EAST TEXAS (7B) WEST CENTRAL TX (7C) SAN ANGELO AREA (8) MIDLAND (8A) LUBBOCK AREA (9) NORTH TEXAS (10) PANHANDLE TOTAL 75 53 22 8 6 38 19 35 382 25 30 21 714 42 28 9 1 0 1 8 52

314

13 20 7 495 31 13 6 6 0 21 1 0 56 0 5 2 141

For more information, please visit www.rrc.texas.gov.

RRC Commissioners Assess Penalties

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

The Railroad Commission of Texas’ (RRC) mission is to serve Texas by their stewardship of natural resources and the environment, their concern for personal and community safety and their support of enhanced development and economic vitality for the benefit of Texans. The RRC has a long and proud history of service to both Texas and to the nation, including almost 100 years regulating the oil and gas industry. The RRC also has jurisdiction over alternative fuels safety, natural gas utilities, surface mining, and intrastate pipelines. Established in 1891, the RRC is the oldest regulatory agency in the state.

The RRC has primary oversight and enforcement of the state’s oil and gas industry and intrastate pipeline safety. Below are some recent penalties assessed by the RRC.

RRC Commissioners Assessed More Than $440,000 in Penalties:

• The Railroad Commission of Texas assessed $443,255 in fines involving 169 enforcement dockets against operators and businesses at the Commissioners’ Conference on Tuesday, October 12th. The Commission has primary oversight and enforcement of the state’s oil and gas industry and intrastate pipeline safety. • Ten dockets involved $23,805 in penalties after operators failed to appear at Commission enforcement proceedings. Master Default Orders can be found on the RRC Hearings Division webpage.

• Operators were ordered to come into compliance with Commission rules and assessed $12,250 for oil and gas, LP-Gas or pipeline safety rule violations. Pipeline operators and excavators were assessed $407,200 for violations of the Commission’s Pipeline Damage Prevention rules.

RRC Commissioners Assessed More Than $361,000 in Penalties:

• The Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) assessed $361,141 in fines involving 126 enforcement dockets against operators and businesses at the Commissioners’ Conference on Tuesday, October 26th. • Ten dockets involved $43,321 in penalties after operators failed to appear at Commission enforcement proceedings. • Operators were ordered to come into compliance with Commission rules and assessed $59,570 for oil and gas, LP-Gas or pipeline safety rule violations. Pipeline operators and excavators were assessed $258,250 for violations of the Commission’s Pipeline Damage Prevention rules.

In the absence of timely motions for rehearing, decisions are final as stated in these final orders. Master Default Orders can be found on the RRC Hearings Division webpage at rrc.texas.gov.

To learn more, please visit rrc.texas.gov.

Source: Railroad Commission of Texas