Texas RRC staff sets record processing standard drilling permits in 2019
The Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) staff set a record in 2019 by taking 2 days on average to process standard drilling permits, one day below the Legislative requirement, the agency said Jan. 13. The milestone was first reached by the regulatory agency in 2018.
Standard drilling permits are permits that do not require exceptions to Commission rules such spacing or density rules.
During calendar year 2019 the RRC processed a total of 11,654 new drilling permits.
Close to 99% of operators apply for drilling permits online, said RRC Executive Director Wei Wang. "This allows our staff to thoroughly and quickly review each application to ensure operators meet all drilling permit requirements."
Texas leads the nation in oil and gas production with the Permian basin in West Texas ranking as the top energy production region nationwide, the agency said in a press statement. In the last 12 months, Texas operators reported 1.438 billion bbl of oil produced and almost 10 tcf of total gas.
The US Geological Survey estimates the Permian basin contains 66 billion b/o, nearly 300 tcf of natural gas, and 21 billion bbl of natural gas liquids in the Midland and Delaware basins.
Obtaining a drilling permit or Form W-1 from the Commission is one of the first steps oil and gas operators must take along with filing an Organization Report or P-5 and posting necessary bonds. Drilling permits indicate if a well will be vertical or horizontal; the well's proposed location; and specific hydrocarbon fields to be produced. Once approved, drilling permits are valid for 2 years. Drilling permits filed by operators and approved by RRC staff can be searched by using the Commission's online Drilling Permit (W-1) Query.
