Good Friday

 In observance of Good Friday, the Railroad Commission offices will be closed Friday, March 29, 2024. Staff will be on hand to respond to emergencies. Call toll-free at 844-773-0305.

 

Railroad Commission Exceeds Goal for Cleanup of Abandoned Oilfield Sites

More than 400 Sites Assessed & Cleaned Up in FY 2019

September 27, 2019

AUSTIN– The Railroad Commission in Fiscal Year 2019 (Sept. 1, 2018 – Aug. 31, 2019) assessed and cleaned up more than 400 abandoned oil field sites. This was more than double the performance measure goal set by the Texas Legislature to assess and clean up 188 abandoned sites in FY 2019. 

Most operators clean up their own oilfield sites when the wells are no longer productive. To protect land and water resources, the Commission uses industry fees paid into the Oil & Gas Regulation & Cleanup Fund to clean up abandoned sites through the State-Managed Cleanup Program. These fees include regulatory fees, permit fees, enforcement penalties and bond amounts assessed on oil and gas operators.

“The Commission set a very aggressive goal to assess and clean up more sites in FY 19,” said Wei Wang RRC’s Executive Director.

“And our staff worked very hard to achieve this milestone. State-Managed Cleanup is one of many programs that support our agency’s priority of protecting public safety and the environment.”

Additional RRC Site Remediation section highlights in FY 19 include:

  • Completed 415 cleanup activities in FY 19, up from 228 cleanup activities in FY 18.
  • Identified 2,316 potential sites that are candidates for the State Managed Cleanup Fund in FY 19 compared to 2,159 sites identified as candidates in FY 18.

Since the State-Managed Cleanup Program was established in 1992, the RRC has assessed, investigated — and if cleanup was determined necessary — completed cleanup activities at 6,821 abandoned oilfield sites across Texas restoring land used in energy production back to a safe condition.


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/.