Oil and Gas Activities
While the regulation of oil and gas activities in Texas falls primarily under the jurisdiction of the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC), the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) plays an important role in the areas of air quality, surface water management, water quality, and waste management.
Compliance Alerts
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Oil and Gas Methane Rule Compliance Reminder
Updates to the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) Part 60 Subpart OOOOb, effective May 7, 2024, require storage vessels or tank batteries to demonstrate 95% reduction in methane and volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions. - Sour Gas Handling Compliance – Permitting options and guidance relating to oil and gas sites that handle or produce ‘sour’ gas.
General Information
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Common Environmental Requirements for Regulated Oil and Gas Operations (RG-482).
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the RRC and the TCEQ provides additional explanation of the agencies’ jurisdictions over various oil and gas activities. The MOU can be found in Title 16 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §3.30 . - Temporary Housing Facilities for Oil and Gas Workers: Am I Regulated? (RG-527)
- RV Parks: Am I Regulated? (RG-499)
- Submit an environmental complaint to the TCEQ.
Water Quality
- Oil and Gas Wastewater Permits - Permits for oil and gas facilities, requirements for each type, and links and information on how to apply.
- Oil and Gas Facilities with Compliance and Enforcement Transferred to TCEQ
- Texas NPDES Oil and Gas Permittees Report DMR Data in NetDMR-Texas TCEQ Instance
On January 15, 2021, the TCEQ became the authority responsible for NPDES Oil and Gas permits. This change impacts the way O&G permittees submit Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) data.
Beginning June 24, 2021, O&G permittees will no longer use the EPA Region 6 NetDMR instance: NDMR-R6: NetDMR: EPA Region 6 – AR-GM-LA-NM-OK-TX. Instead permittees must begin reporting to the Texas TCEQ instance: NDMR-TX: NetDMR: Texas TCEQ. Use the TCEQ’s step-by-step guide to add the NetDMR - Texas TCEQ Instance to your Central Data Exchange (CDX) account.
You can reach the TCEQ’s NetDMR Helpline at NetDMR@tceq.texas.gov or call us at 512-239-eDMR (3367) if you have questions regarding the Texas TCEQ instance.
Air Quality
- About Air Pollution in Texas
- Permian Basin Geological Area – is a hydrocarbon-producing geological formation located in the Midland-Odessa area of West Texas.
- Eagle Ford Shale Geological Area – is a hydrocarbon-producing geological formation stretching from the Mexican border between Laredo and Eagle Pass up through counties east of Temple and Waco.
- Barnett Shale Geological Area – is a hydrocarbon-producing geological formation stretching from the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex west and south.
- Flaring at Oil and Natural Gas Production Sites – explains flare operations at oil and gas sites to citizens that observe them near their residence or while traveling across the state.
- Optimized for printing (GI-457-Print)
- Optimized for screen-readers (GI-457)
- Geographical Texas Air Monitoring (GeoTAM)
- Air Quality Forecasts and Current Levels
- Ozone: Warnings, Forecasts, and Current Levels
- Soot, Dust, and Smoke
- Reports of Air Emissions Events
Compliance Resources
The TCEQ regulates certain aspects of oil and gas operations. You can easily find more information about oil and gas compliance at the following links:
- Air Compliance Information
- Water Compliance Information
- Waste Compliance Information
- Publications and Guidance Documents
- Additional Compliance Information and Resources
The Small Business and Local Government Assistance (SBLGA) program provides confidential technical assistance without the threat of enforcement.
- Call us toll free at 800-447-2827.
- Find the nearest compliance assistance specialist by reviewing the TCEQ Regional Office Contact Information (M-70).
- Read more about rule changes that impact small businesses and local governments in our electronic newsletter, The Advocate.