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RRC Assesses More than $11 Million in Fines in 2017

December 07, 2017

AUSTIN – The Railroad Commission of Texas assessed $11,077,280 in fines on 3,567 enforcement dockets involving the state’s oil and gas industry and intrastate pipeline safety for calendar year 2017.
These include: 

  • $337,721 in fines assessed in oil and gas protested dockets that went to hearing;
  • $3,980,880 in penalties for Master Default Orders;
  • $2,690,765 in fines for Master Agreed Orders; and;
  • $4,067,914 for Pipeline Damage Prevention penalties. 

Totals include the Commission’s final enforcement actions for 2017, taken Tuesday during the last Commissioners’ conference of the year. On Tuesday, the RRC assessed $943,217 in fines involving 158 enforcement dockets against operators and businesses. Operators were assessed $769,710 after failing to appear at Commission enforcement proceedings.
Details on these Master Default Orders can be found on the RRC website here.

Additionally, for December 2017, operators were ordered to come into compliance with Commission rules and assessed $40,257 for oil and gas, LP-Gas and pipeline safety rule violations. Pipeline operators and excavators were assessed $133,250 for violations of the Commission’s Pipeline Damage Prevention rules. 
Details on all these Master Agreed Orders can be found on the RRC website here.

In the absence of timely motions for rehearing, decisions are final as stated in these final orders.

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 more than 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/.