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Oil & Gas

Regulating the exploration, production, & transportation of oil and natural gas in Texas

Oil & Gas ANNOUNCEMENTS

Notice to Operators

New Fees for Certain Environmental Permit Applications

August 26, 2025

Senate Bill 2122 of the 89th Texas Legislature establishes fees for certain permit applications to store, treat, or dispose of oil and gas wastes in Texas. Effective on September 1, 2025, the Texas Natural Resources Code §91.1013(b) is amended to require that an applicant for certain waste management permits shall submit to the Commission a nonrefundable fee and surcharge[1] with each application as follows:

  • Landfarm, landtreatment, or land application permit or permit amendment: $500 permit fee and a $750 surcharge for a total fee of $1,250.
  • Commercial oil and gas waste separation facility permit: $2,000 permit fee and a $3,000 surcharge for a total fee of $5,000.
  • Amendment to a commercial oil and gas waste separation facility permit: $1,000 permit fee and a $1,500 surcharge for a total fee of $2,500.
  • Commercial surface oil and gas waste disposal facility permit: $3,000 permit fee and a $4,500 surcharge for a total fee of $7,500.
  • Amendment to a commercial surface oil and gas waste disposal facility permit: $1,000 permit fee and a $1,500 surcharge for a total fee of $2,500.

Applications with filing fees may be submitted by mail or by email:

  • By mail: Pay over the phone and mail the receipt with the application or mail a check or money order (payable to Railroad Commission of Texas) and Form EP-5 with the application. To make credit card payments by phone call (512) 463-6882.  
  • By email: Pay over the phone and email the receipt with the application (Form EP-5). To make credit card payments by phone call (512) 463-6882. Form EP-5 and required attachments can be emailed to EPSch4@rrc.texas.gov for electronic receipt, the subject line must indicate “Application Filing”.

Applications that are received after September 1, 2025. without the correct filing fee cannot be processed and will be returned.

Questions regarding this notice should be directed to the Commission’s Environmental Permits and Support Unit at Enviro.Permits@rrc.texas.gov or 512-463-3840.


[1] Fees authorized by Natural Resources Code §91.1013 shall be subject to a surcharge pursuant to §81.070. A surcharge of 150% was established in 16 Texas Administrative Code §3.78(n)(3).

To view the full notice, visit the RRC website at https://www.rrc.texas.gov/media/2pim4hvv/082625-nto-sb-2122.pdf

 

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What we do

The Railroad Commission, through its Oil and Gas Division, regulates the exploration, production, and transportation of oil and natural gas in Texas. Its statutory role is to:

  1. prevent waste of the state's natural resources,
  2. protect the correlative rights of different interest owners,
  3. prevent pollution, and
  4. provide safety in matters such as hydrogen sulfide.

The division accomplishes these goals by permitting and reporting requirements; by field inspections, testing programs and monitoring industry activities in the field; and through programs to remediate abandoned wells and sites through the use of fees and taxes paid by industry.
The Oil and Gas Division is headquartered in Austin, Texas with nine district offices spread over the state.

Drilling Permit Processing Time
as of March 7th, 2025

Expedited Permits: approximately 2
Business days
Standard Permits: approximately   4
Business days

Tips on submitting a problem-free drilling permit.



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