Notice to Oil and Gas Operators: Temporary Exceptions to Certain Administrative Rules (three Commission orders adopted May 5, 2020)

The record

Jurisdiction

Texas

Level

Sector regulator

Authority

Tex. Nat. Res. Code ch. 81, 85, 86, 89, 91; 16 Tex. Admin. Code §§ 3.8(d)(4)(H), 3.13(d), 3.14(b)(2), 3.78, 3.95, 3.107(b)

Issued

2020-05-05 May 5, 2020

Effective

2020-05-05

End

As stated in each order (the three order PDFs at rrc.texas.gov/media/j0edicuh, bhrhfv0o and u3ob5vuz not separately retrieved) (read as 2020-12-31)

In force

May 5, 2020 to Dec. 31, 2020

Quarters

2020 Q22020 Q32020 Q4

2020 Q22020 Q32020 Q42021 Q12021 Q22021 Q3

Limitation types

Workplace rulesOther

Addressees

• all Texas oil and gas operators

Functions reached

• EX (shut-in and inactive wells; pits; storage)
• PM (fees, filings, penalties)
• CB (producers' shut-in economics)

Collection

Mining, Oil and Gas, and Energy Services SEC-23

Operative words

In its open meeting today the Railroad Commission of Texas (Commission), in recognition of the unprecedented national and global economic conditions currently impacting the oil and gas industry, took action to provide relief in the form of temporary exceptions to certain administrative rules. Pursuant to item no. 189 on today's conference agenda, the Commission adopted three orders outlining the temporary exceptions. 16 Texas Administrative Code § 3.8(d)(4)(H): An exception regarding the amount of time allowed to dewater, backfill and compact certain pits. § 3.13(d): An exception regarding the amount of time for which alternate tubing/casing programs may be granted. § 3.14(b)(2): An exception regarding the amount of time to commence plugging operations on dry or inactive wells. § 3.78: Exceptions regarding the filing fees and surcharges for Commission Forms H-1, H-4, P-17, W-3C and W-14. § 3.95: An exception authorizing underground hydrocarbon storage facility located in a geological formation other than an underground salt formation. § 3.107(b): An exception regarding recommended minimum penalties.... No operator shall construe these exceptions as exceptions to a rule regulating public safety, health, or the prevention of pollution.

Enforcement

Notes