Oil & Gas

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

Oil & Gas ANNOUNCEMENTS

Public Comment Period Open for Chapter 4 and Waste Hauler Forms


April 29, 2025

The Railroad Commission of Texas is accepting public comment on seven proposed new forms required to implement the newly adopted rules in 16 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 4, Subchapter A, relating to Oil & Gas Waste Management. In addition, RRC is accepting public comment on the Amended Waste Hauler Forms WH-1, WH-2 and WH-3.

Form EP-1, Authorized Pit Registration (new), satisfies the requirements of §4.113(e) for registration of all authorized pits. Operators will submit the form by email or regular mail, and the data will be entered into an electronic database. 

Form EP-2, Schedule B Authorized Pit Financial Security Worksheet (new), provides the breakdown of how the operator determined the appropriate amount of financial security to file with the Commission pursuant to §4.115(c)(3).

Form EP-3, Schedule B Authorized Pit Bond (new), is like the Surface Waste Management Commercial Facility Bond (CF-1) document. The Form EP-3 is specific to Schedule B Authorized Pits, whereas the CF-1 is for Commercial Facilities.

Form EP-4, Schedule B Authorized Pit Letter of Credit (new), is like the Surface Waste Management Commercial Facility Letter of Credit (CF-2) document. The Form EP-4 is specific to Schedule B Authorized Pits, whereas the CF-2 is for Commercial Facilities.

Form EP-5, Application Overview (new), is designed to fulfill the requirements of §4.124(d) for applicants of permitted facilities and waste management units. Operators will provide a brief overview of the facility activities and waste management units contained in the application. The form will enable staff to quickly and efficiently receive the application, register it in the EPS database, and assign it to appropriate staff based on complexity.

Form EP-9, Waste Profile (new), may be used to document waste characterization prior to transportation pursuant to §4.190(b)(1).

Form EP-10, Waste Manifest (new), was designed to document the transportation of waste pursuant to §4.191.

Form WH-1 (revised), Application for Oil and Gas Waste Hauler’s Permit

Form WH-2 (revised), Waste Hauler List of Vehicles

Form WH-3 (revised), Oil and Gas Waste Hauler Authority to Use Approved Disposal/Injection System

Waste Hauler forms are being implemented in an electronic format in LoneSTAR. The proposed revisions represent updates consistent with supporting data entry into the LoneSTAR system.

The proposed new and revised forms will be available for public comment until May 30, 2025. The forms and comment submission options can be found on the RRC website at https://www.rrc.texas.gov/forms/proposed-form-amendments/ under Oil & Gas Forms.

Oil & Gas Division staff will review the comments and make any necessary changes. Staff will then present the forms to the RRC Commissioners and request adoption.

View Our Announcements

Overview

Oil & Gas Overview PDF

Printable Overview

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.



Commissioners