Railroad Commission Conducts More than 133,000 Oil & Gas Inspections in FY 19

Hires Record Number of Oil & Gas Inspectors

September 26, 2019

AUSTIN– The Railroad Commission in Fiscal Year 2019 (Sept. 1, 2018 – Aug. 31, 2019) completed more than 133,000 oil and gas inspections, exceeding the Texas Legislature’s performance goal of 130,000 inspections for the fiscal year. The RRC’s Oil & Gas Division also filled a record number of 170 oil and gas inspector positions statewide. 

RRC regulates the exploration and production activities of crude oil and natural gas to protect public safety and the environment. The main categories of inspections performed include responding to incidents and complaints; conducting routine well inspections; and witnessing critical well operations including setting surface casing to protect groundwater, mechanical integrity tests and pluggings.

“As these numbers demonstrate, our field staff is committed to strong monitoring over the state’s oil and gas operators so Texans can have confidence that their energy is produced safely,” said Danny Sorrells, RRC’s Oil and Gas Division Director.

“As the increased energy activity continues in Texas, I am proud of the hard work by our inspectors and supporting staff in our nine district offices statewide.”

Additional RRC Oil & Gas Division highlights in FY 19 include: 

  • Total oil and gas inspections increased to 133,187 in FY 19 compared to 130,064 inspections in FY 18.
  • Oil and gas inspector positions increased to 172 in FY 19 up from 158 in FY 18.
  • The agency reduced the inventory of wells not inspected in the last five years to 13 percent in FY 19 down from 32 percent in FY 18.

Oil and gas operators are required comply with RRC rules found at the link below:

https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.ViewTAC?tac_view=4&ti=16&pt=1&ch=3&rl=Y

In FY 19, the Commission also launched RRC OIL (Online Inspection Lookup), allowing the public and oil and gas operators to lookup inspection and violation data recorded during inspections of oil and gas leases, wells, facilities and other sites. The online query can be found here.

 

About the Railroad Commission:
Our mission is to serve Texas by our stewardship of natural resources and the environment, our concern for personal and community safety, and our support of enhanced development and economic vitality for the benefit of Texans. The Commission 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 Commission also has jurisdiction over alternative fuels safety, natural gas utilities, surface mining and intrastate pipelines. Established in 1891, the Railroad Commission of Texas is the oldest regulatory agency in the state. To learn more, please visit https://www.rrc.texas.gov/about-us/.