Surface Casing Program Has Transferred to the Railroad Commission

Article 2 of House Bill 2694, 82nd Texas Legislature, transferred from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) duties relating to the protection of groundwater resources from oil- and gas-associated activities. (Official announcement)

What does this transfer affect?

Specifically, Article 2 transferred from the TCEQ to the RRC, effective September 1, 2011, duties pertaining to the responsibility of preparing groundwater protection advisory/recommendation letters.

The RRC is now responsible for providing surface casing and groundwater protection recommendations for these activities:

• Exploration, development, or production of oil and gas resources—new drilling, other drilling activities including, but not limited to, enhanced recovery injection wells, injection wells for brine mining, injection wells for underground storage of hydrocarbons, seismic exploration and cathodic protection wells, well integrity tests, plugging of abandoned wells, core holes, and microseismic boreholes;
• Subsurface disposal and injection of oil and gas waste—saltwater disposal wells; and
• Anthropogenic carbon dioxide injection wells and geologic storage facilities under the RRC's jurisdiction.

Is this transfer complete?

Yes. Our Surface Casing Program and staff have already transferred to the RRC. The RRC’s Surface Casing Program (Groundwater Advisory Unit) is located in the William B. Travis Building, 1701 North Congress, Austin 78701.

Where do I submit my applications now?

Please submit applications for groundwater protection advisory letters to the RRC’s Groundwater Advisory Unit at this address:

By courier or express mail:
Railroad Commission of Texas
(Attn: Groundwater Advisory Unit)
William B. Travis Building
1701 North Congress
Austin, TX 78701

By U.S. Postal Service:
Railroad Commission of Texas
(Attn: Groundwater Advisory Unit)
P.O. Box 12967
Austin, TX 78711-2967

How can I learn more?

If you have any questions about this notice, please contact the RRC’s Groundwater Advisory Unit at 512-463-2741 or by e-mail at gau@rrc.state.tx.us.

For more information on obtaining groundwater protection advisory letters from the RRC’s Groundwater Advisory Unit, including information on fees for expedited processing, go to the website of the Railroad Commission of Texas.