News

April

• RRC Commissioners Assess Over $2 Million in Penalties

  April 24, 2024
  

  April 24, 2024

  The Railroad Commission of Texas assessed $2,456,002 in fines involving 711 enforcement dockets against operators and businesses at the Commissioners’ Conference on Wednesday.  The Commission has primary oversight and enforcement of the state’s oil and gas industry and intrastate pipeline safety.

  Master default orders for operators that failed to appear at Commission enforcement proceedings can be found on the RRC Hearings Division web page.

  Master Agreed Orders in which operators were ordered to come into compliance with Commission rules can be found on the RRC General Council web page.  

  Below is a table outlining the fines assessed.

   

  Fine Amounts

  Fines Assessed from Master Default Orders	$371,569.50
  Fines Assessed from Master Agreed Orders	$2,084,433.00
  Total Fines Assessed at March 2024 Conference	$2,456,002.50

   

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

   

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• Texas Oil and Gas Production Hit Record Highs in 2023

  April 09, 2024
  

  AUSTIN – The state’s major energy industry reached new peaks last year with records set for both oil and gas production.

  The Railroad Commission regulates the Texas oil and gas industry and tallies production reports submitted by operators.   

  • Oil production hit a record 1.92 billion barrels in 2023, which was 51 million barrels more than the previous record.
  • Operators produced 12.01 trillion cubic feet of natural gas in 2023, beating the previous record by more than 13%.

  “These production records are beyond impressive and reflect how Texas continues to provide reliable domestic production for the nation,” said Wei Wang, RRC Executive Director. “As the state’s oil and gas regulator, the RRC is committed to our critical mission supporting Texas’ economic growth that benefits Texans. Production taxes collected from the oil and gas industry pay for our schools, highways and the state’s Rainy Day Fund. The Commission will continue its hard work to ensure the state remains at the forefront of the energy sector.”

  Top 5 Oil Production Years (crude oil and condensate)

  Year	Production
  2023	1.92 billion barrels
  2019	1.86 billion barrels
  2020	1.77 billion barrels
  2021	1.75 billion barrels
  2022	1.71 billion barrels

   

  Top 5 Gas Production Years (gas well and casinghead gas)

  Year	Production
  2023	12.01 trillion cubic feet
  2021	10.61 trillion cubic feet
  2022	10.51 trillion cubic feet
  2020	10.23 trillion cubic feet
  2019	10.21 trillion cubic feet