Issuu

2019

Railroad Commission of Texas:

ONE AGENCY, ONE TEAM

t no time in the Railroad Commission’s

We also took steps to improve public access to

energy industry have our duties

Inspection Lookup (RRC OIL), an award-winning

100 years of regulating the Texas

and responsibilities been more diverse and

widespread. At the same time everyone in our

agency is unified and focused on protecting the public and environment while supporting a vital economy for all Texans.

The accomplishments of the past year reflect a

major, deliberate cultural shift within the RRC. We

web-based application that enables the public to search the inspection and compliance history of

all Texas wells with the click of a mouse. Our ITS, Oil and Gas, Communications and Operations

Divisions, along with the Office of General Counsel all worked hand-in-hand to create this muchrequested online tool.

call it, One Agency, One Team — a culture and a

Lastly, we beat expectations in 2019 – our own

the RRC team to achieve the highest standards of

orphan wells at an historic rate, making us all safer

sense of purpose that motivates and empowers service, together.

During 2019, the RRC team devoted its talents towards modernizing processes, enhancing transparency, and beating performance

expectations. Guided by a united vision from

the Commissioners, the agency took meaningful

and those of the Legislature. In 2019, we plugged

and surpassing legislative performance measures.

Our inspectors drove 5,540,941 miles across Texas, beating several performance targets for statewide safety inspections. This couldn’t have happened

without close teamwork among staff in our Oil and Gas, Finance and Operations Divisions.

steps towards collaboration, achieving results,

These are just three of the many accomplishments

approach has worked to Texas’ benefit.

people strong. We’re in every corner of Texas. We

and instituting a service-oriented mindset. This This year marked a turning point in the agency’s progress towards modernization. We began

our mainframe transition project, the largest RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS

agency data. In January we launched RRC Online

information technology infrastructure project in

reflected in the 2019 Year in Review. RRC is 800

are inspectors, engineers, geologists, accountants, attorneys, computer scientists, programmers,

information specialists, program managers and

many more trained and dedicated professionals.

agency history. Working closely with the Oil and

The Railroad Commission of Texas is deeply

Divisions, our ITS Division has begun the

We are One Agency, One Team.

Gas, Oversight and Safety, and Communications transition of data and programs from an

antiquated mainframe system to modern, cloudbased platforms. In addition, we opened digital avenues for customer interfaces with agency

processes, enabling the streamlined and efficient administration of regulatory requirements.

committed to serving our fellow Texans.

Contents

VIDEO: Chairman Christian ��4 VIDEO: Commissioner Craddick.............................................................................................................................................................................5 VIDEO: Commissioner Sitton..................................................................................................................................................................................5 RRC and the 86th Texas Legislature ��6 100 Years of Regulating Texas Oil and Gas Industry ��8

ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS RRC Exceeds Abandoned Well Plugging Goal ��10 Water Protection - Safeguarding Water at RRC �� 11 Former Mining Site Meets RRC’s Strict Environmental Requirements, Becomes Wildlife Habitat �� 12 RRC’s Brownfields Response Program: Helping the Environment and Local Economies �� 14

IT MODERNIZATION Preserving RRC’s Oldest Oil & Gas Records for Future Generations ��18 RRC Launches Award Winning Searchable Database of Oil & Gas Inspection & Violation Data ��20

OUTREACH Pipeline Damage Prevention Outreach ��22 RRC Welcomes International Delegations ��22 RRC Outreach: Connecting with Diverse Stakeholders �� 23 Bullock Texas State History Museum Features Oil & Gas Exhibit ��26

SAFETY RRC Alternative Fuels Safety (AFS) Sets Licensing Record in FY 2019 ��28 RRC Seeks the Public’s Help to Find Texas’ Historic Underground Mines ��29 RRC Reminds Texans to Call 811 Before Digging ��30 RRC Safety Training on Cybersecurity ��31

TRAINING RRC Learning Together, Building a Stronger Team ��34 RRC Employees Learn Sign Language ��36 Introducing the RRC Energy Minute. ��37

2019 YEAR IN REVIEW

2019 RRC Regulatory Conference Sets Record Attendance ��32

VIDEOS

Looking back at 2019,

RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS

what are your thoughts on the Railroad Commission and the energy industry?

Beyond a shadow of a doubt, the Railroad Commission is the most respected regulatory agency for oil and gas on Planet Earth. Chairman Wayne Christian

Part of what weâ€™ve got to do as an agency is continue looking at our rules, making sure they make sense for the future.

Iâ€™m excited for our ability to support new regulation, new approaches, and make sure that we play the role in energy that the state of Texas should. Commissioner Ryan Sitton

2019 YEAR IN REVIEW

Commissioner Christi Craddick

RRC and the 86th Texas Legislature

RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS

he 86th Legislative Session was a good one for the Railroad Commission! The good news starts with our agency’s budget. For the 2020-2021 fiscal biennium, the Railroad Commission was appropriated $280 million. This is $30 million more than the agency requested. Lawmakers approved funding for 22 additional inspectors for our oil and gas and pipeline safety departments, appropriated additional funds for well plugging and allocated extra dollars for the agency’s computer mainframe transition.

Oil and Gas Severance Tax Exemption

The appropriation for the agency’s mainframe transition is monumental. This will help boost RRC’s long-term plan for transitioning away from its 1980s-era mainframe legacy systems. The Legislature, recognizing the importance of this project to both the RRC and the energy industry, approved $27 million and 24 additional FTEs to accelerate this transition.

for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied

In addition to the budget, several bills outlined below were passed that specifically address programs administered by the Railroad Commission:

Effective Sept. 1, RRC began accepting applications

for two-year inactive well certifications for operators

seeking a severance tax exemption. This implements

RRC’s role in Senate Bill 533, which establishes a five-

year severance tax exemption for oil or gas produced from a well designated by the RRC as a two-year inactive well.

Streamline Alternative Fuels Licensing

The Legislature passed two bills to streamline RRC’s licensing requirements for alternative fuels. House Bill 2127 abolished the licensure requirements Natural Gas (LNG) vendors and container

manufacturers. HB 2714, eliminated the licensure

requirement for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)

iron pipe by Dec. 31, 2021. HB 866 also requires

regulatory flexibility to adopt rules for different

8 percent of the underground pipes posing the

LPG activities.

that pipeline operators remove or replace at least greatest potential risk.

Pipeline Safety

Produced Water

safety. The first, House Bill 864, requires a pipeline

produced water, hydrostatic test water and

The Legislature passed two bills to enhance pipeline operator to notify RRC within one hour of any

incident that results in a death or injury requiring hospitalization; $50,000 or more in property

damage; or the loss of 3 million cubic feet or more of gas. The second, HB 866, prohibits pipeline

operators from installing cast iron, wrought iron, or bare steel pipelines underground. It also requires the replacement of any known underground cast

House Bill 2771 transfers the permitting of

gas plant effluent discharges from RRC to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

(TCEQ) upon approval by the U.S. Environmental

Protection Agency. This transfer is contingent upon the EPA’s approval of TCEQ’s application for the transfer.

Abandoned Mine Lands

Senate Bill 1587 allows the Railroad Commission to purchase goods and services for abandoned mine

reclamation projects directly, without having to go

through the Office of the Comptroller’s purchasing functions. This change provides RRC with needed flexibility to use federal funds for reclaiming hazardous abandoned mine sites.

2019 YEAR IN REVIEW

container manufacturers while providing RRC with

RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS

FEATURE

100 Years of

Regulating Texas Oil and Gas Industry

March 2019 marked the 100th anniversary of the Railroad Commission’s oversight of Texas’ oil and gas industry.

On March 31, 1919, Governor William Hobby signed legislation placing authority over the industry with the RRC. For the past century, the agency has set the standard for smart regulation of oil and gas exploration and production. To mark the occasion, the Texas House of Representatives adopted a resolution commemorating the Railroad Commission’s century-long regulation of the energy industry. House Resolution 1075 was sponsored by House Energy Resources Committee Chairman Chris Paddie.

Today the RRC’s Oil and Gas Division includes petroleum engineers, professional engineers, professional geologists and more than 160 field inspectors who conduct tens of thousands of inspections of oil and gas wells every year. While drilling and producing technologies have changed dramatically over the last 100 years, the Commission’s commitment to the citizens of Texas remains steadfast: protect the people, environment and economy of our great state.

2019 YEAR IN REVIEW

ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS

RRC Exceeds Abandoned Well Plugging Goal

he Commission plugged over 1,700 abandoned wells in Fiscal Year 2019 (Sept. 1, 2018 - Aug. 31, 2019). This exceeded the performance measure goal set by the Texas Legislature to plug

979 abandoned wells.

In FY 18, RRC plugged 1,364 abandoned wells. Combined with the 1,710 wells plugged this fiscal year, RRC has plugged more than 3,000

abandoned wells in the FY 2018-19 biennium.

This exceeds the Legislative goal to plug more than 1,900 wells during the fiscal biennium.

Most operators plug their own wells when the wells are no longer productive. To protect land and water resources, the Commission uses industry fees paid into the Oil and Gas Regulation and Cleanup Fund to plug abandoned wells.

Since the state-managed well plugging program

was established in 1984, the RRC has plugged

more than 39,500 abandoned wells across Texas

restoring land used in energy production back to a safe condition.

• Plugged and closed 1,710 orphaned

RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS

wells, plus an additional 14 wells that were physically plugged, but not yet

1,710

Orphaned wells plugged & closed

closed during the fiscal year, exceeding the internal goal to plug 1,560 wells.

415

Oil & Gas sites cleaned up

133,000 Oil & Gas Inspections

• Completed 415 oil and gas site remediation

cleanup activities, exceeding the internal goal of

403 activities and Legislative Budget Board (LBB) goal of 188 activities.

• Performed more than 133,000 oil and gas inspections, exceeding the LBB goal of 130,000 inspections.

• RRC staff and inspectors drove 5,540,941 miles

– that’s the equivalent of driving from Earth to

the Moon and back more than 11 times!

Water Protection -

Safeguarding Water at RRC

About half of the state has been evaluated and all major oil production regions are covered in this site. With each new well drilled the Commission gains new information to improve and enhance existing groundwater models.

2019 YEAR IN REVIEW

arch 2019 was recognized as National Groundwater Awareness Week to highlight the importance of groundwater in Texas. One of the most critical steps to protect Texas groundwater occurs in the Railroad Commissionâ€™s Groundwater Advisory Unit (GAU). Under RRC rules, all oil and gas operators who are planning to drill or plug a well must first obtain the depth of usable quality groundwater from this unit. This data also is available to the public and operators through the RRC Groundwater Advisory Unit - Bureau of Economic Geology Surface Casing Estimator Program website: http://www. beg.utexas.edu/sce

Former Mining Site Meets RRC’s Strict Environmental Requirements, Becomes Wildlife Habitat

eclamation of Texas mines involves a

The reclaimed mined acreage provides forestry,

ensure land is restored to its pre-mined

addition, the reclaimed acreage also establishes

thorough and decades-long process to

condition or better. Reclamation efforts overseen by the Commission result in the restoration of habitat and native ecosystems.

The Sabine Mining Co. turned mined land into wildlife habitat to help boost declining bird,

pollinator and butterfly populations. Planting 3,400 contiguous acres in Harrison County with native

pastureland, streams and developed ponds. In

woody corridors to provide wildlife access to water and protective cover.

As a result of this effort, the Sabine Mining Co. was awarded RRC’s 2019 Reclamation Award, as well

as the National Mine Reclamation Award from the Interstate Mining Compact Commission.

grasses transformed mined land into habitat for

bobwhite quail, grassland songbirds and Monarch

butterflies. The land also is used for grazing livestock.

RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS

After

Before

• Performed 405 coal mine inspections, exceeding the goal of 400 inspections.

405

e Coal min s n o ti inspec

2019 YEAR IN REVIEW

FEATURE

RRC’s Brownfields Response Program:

Helping the Environment and Local Economies

he Railroad Commission’s Brownfield Response Program serves as an environmental program and a powerful economic development tool for Texas communities.

RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS

The term “brownfield” describes land with known or suspected pollution from previous industrial or commercial purposes. The funds available through RRC’s Brownfields Response Program provide free environmental investigations of abandoned oil and gas sites, as well as environmental cleanups as needed. Reinvesting and redeveloping Brownfield sites across Texas helps create jobs and revitalize communities, providing a boon to local economies. In 2019, RRC’s Site Remediation staff gave the all-clear to part of West Galveston Island under development for recreational activities. The Commission gave a Certificate of Completion to the non-profit group Artist Boat. This certifies that the former historic oilfield site can be safely used for kayaking, hiking and camping as well as educational purposes. The 207-acre site is part of 1,400 contiguous acres Artist Boat is working to preserve and restore with the Coastal Heritage Preserve on West Galveston Island.

We greatly appreciate working in partnership with the Texas Railroad Commission on this project to help further our mission of conserving these natural resources in perpetuity. Now that the RRC’s assessment shows no impact to human health from past oil and gas activity on this site, this area can be enjoyed by all Texans. Karla Klay, Executive Director & Founder of Artist Boat

Environmental assessments like the one done for Artist Boat are available at little to no cost to local governments, non-profit organizations, tribes, universities, school districts and economic development corporations through a brownfield grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. For more information visit: https://www.rrc.texas. gov/oil-gas/environmental-cleanup-programs/siteremediation/grant-cleanup-programs/brp/ To learn more about another Brownfields Response Program at Bass Lake, what the video found at: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=vyo2JTm-gVw

2019 YEAR IN REVIEW

IT MODERNIZATION

s part of the Texas Oilfield Relief Initiative, the Railroad Commission remains committed to improving customer service, enhancing agency performance, and increasing public data transparency. In 2019 we initiated several new online filings and research tools, allowing RRC to better serve Texans and the industries we regulate. New online filings include:

RRC’s Tax Severance Tax Incentive Certification (Form ST-1)

Senate Bill 533 authorizes a severance tax exemption for inactive oil and gas wells certified by the Railroad

Commission. This certification (Form ST-1) is available online. Once an operator obtains RRC certification, RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS

they can submit an application for the severance

tax exemption to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.

Certificate of Compliance, Statewide Rule 36 (Hydrogen Sulfide) (Form H-9)

RRC’s Form H-9 certifies an operator will comply with RRC’s hydrogen sulfide rule.

Cementing Report (Form W-15)

Any time cement is pumped, or a cast iron bridge plug is set in a wellbore, a Form W-15 must be submitted to the RRC.

Change of Gatherer/Purchaser (Form P-4)

Online filing of a Change of Gatherer/Purchaser (Form P-4) was modified so that oil and gas

operators can now change gatherers and purchasers for up to 400 RRC leases with a single filing in the Commission’s system.

1,4ple1te1d Com dockets

86rin5gs Hea

0 1,3D4 ockets LBB

• Completed 1,411 dockets including 1,340 Legislative Budget Board (LBB) dockets, which is higher than the past three years. • Held 865 hearings in FY 19, which is higher than the past three years. • Evaluated 20 federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act filings, which reduced gas utility rates paid by consumers.

Pipeline Online Permitting System (POPS)

The pipeline online permitting process was enhanced so that operators can more easily apply for permits and pay mileage fees.

RRC also unveiled these new research tools in 2019:

RRC Online Inspection Lookup (RRC OIL)

This award-winning tool allows the public to search

the inspection and enforcement history of oil and gas operators and wells across Texas.

Well Status Report Query

Additional IT efforts initiated in 2019 and continuing into 2020 include:

Mainframe Transition Project

RRC has initiated the largest information

technology infrastructure project in agency history. Thanks to support from the Texas Legislature, the

agency began transitioning its legacy programs and data off an antiquated mainframe on to modern, cloud-based platforms.

RRC CASES

RRC implemented RRC CASES, a new, internal

This application gives the public access to Gas

casework management system to streamline the

Status Reports (Form W-10) filed electronically. The

of this project will provide the public with more

million records in PDF format that can be searched,

hearings data.

Well Status Reports (Form G-10) and Oil Well

enforcement and hearings processes. Later phases

Well Status Report Query represents more than 1

access to RRC inspection, enforcement and

downloaded and printed.

Public GIS Viewer Radius Tool

Map users can now use the tool to display extensive well data about multiple wells in a specified radius.

Interactive Data Maps

One colorful interactive data map allow users to

quickly identify counties producing the most oil or natural gas in a year. A second map shows where abandoned wells were plugged by the RRC.

RRC Data Sets Now Available for Free download at no cost on the agencyâ€™s website. This

ensures 24-hour access to important RRC data. Many of these data sets previously required a subscription. To access the data sets, manuals and other useful information visit the RRC website at https://rrc.texas.gov/about-us/resource-center/ research/data-sets-available-for-download/

2019 YEAR IN REVIEW

RRC has posted certain data sets available for

RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS

FEATURE

Preserving RRCâ€™s Oldest Oil & Gas Records for Future Generations

he Railroad Commission is the caretaker of some of the most important records in Texas, which detail oil and gas production over the past century. RRC records are available in paper, microfilm, microfiche and now digital, imaged records.

Not only are these records important to Texas history, oil and gas operators still refer to these documents for vital information. In 2019 RRC began a massive records preservation and imaging project at its Kilgore Oil and Gas District Office. This project preserves and places some of the stateâ€™s oldest oil and gas records online - 1.7 million total -- encompassing the famous East Texas oil field. This project preserves the history of past generations for use by future generations.

Additionally, the RRC recently completed imaging all remaining historical hearing files housed at the Austin Headquarters. This ensures records of all historical hearings are available to Texans through the RRC website, eliminating the need to visit the Austin office in person to review the files. You can learn more about RRC Central Recordâ€™s transition to the digital age by watching this YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=2i39P4AQhuw

2019 YEAR IN REVIEW

FEATURE

RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS

RRC Launches Award Winning Searchable Database of Oil & Gas Inspection & Violation Data

aking another step forward in enhancing

transparency, the Commission launched an online searchable database for oil and gas

inspection and violation data. It is called RRC Online Inspection Lookup or RRC OIL.

For the first time ever, anyone, anywhere at any

time can go online and search the inspection and

violation history of any oil or gas well, operator or

lease in Texas. RRC OIL literally puts this important data at peopleâ€™s fingertips. The Texas Legislature and general public have been eager to see the

Commission use improved technology to deliver more accessible and transparent information.

RRC OIL users can search statewide oil and gas

inspection and enforcement information, including notices of violation and intentions to sever leases, by a variety of criteria. Users may also download

data set files either statewide or by RRC district office.

In August 2019, RRC OIL was awarded the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC) 2019

Chairman’s Stewardship Award for Energy Education at the IOGCC’s Annual Conference in Medora, North Dakota. IOGCC is a national organization comprised of the governors from oil and gas producing states, including Texas, and has international affiliate

This award represents IOGCC’s highest honor for exemplary efforts in environmental stewardship. The RRC OIL project won the award for giving landowners and others access to real-time information on inspection and enforcement activities at oil and gas well sites. Lori Wrotenbery, IOGCC Executive Director

members from Canada, Egypt and the Republic of Georgia.

For questions about RRC OIL, please see the User Guide on our website at: http:// webapps2.rrc.texas.gov/PDA/resources/docs/ RRC_OIL_User_Guide.pdf

2019 YEAR IN REVIEW

You can find RRC OIL here: https://www.rrc. texas.gov/about-us/resource-center/research/ online-research-queries/oil-and-gas-inspectionsand-violations-query/

OUTREACH Pipeline Damage Prevention Outreach

n the past year, RRC staff shared pipeline

damage prevention information at events

targeted to key audiences such as the Sunbelt

Builders Show and Texas Pipeline Summit, as well

them of the importance of calling 811

before beginning a construction project. Our efforts appear to be working as

Damage Per Thousand Locates fell to an alltime low of 2.4 per thousand locates.

as 40 educational outreach events across Texas.

More information can be found at https://

Association of Builders, allowed RRC staff to connect

prevention-program/.

The Sunbelt Builders Show, hosted by the Texas

directly with representatives of the residential and

RRC Welcomes International Delegations

RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS

commercial building industry to remind

ver the course of the Railroad Commissionâ€™s 128-year history, the agency has gained

global recognition as the leader in oil and

gas regulation. Delegations from across the world reach out to the Commission to learn about our rules and best practices in the field.

Throughout 2019, the Commission was honored to

host dignitaries representing Australia, China, Japan, Norway, Republic of South Africa, Tunisia, and the United Kingdom.

rrc.texas.gov/pipeline-safety/pipeline-damage-

RRC Outreach: Connecting with Diverse Stakeholders While many of these events focused on groups

state ranging from major conferences attended

mining industries, others were directed to a broader

participated in more than 70 events across the

by thousands of people to smaller events targeted to local communities.

representing the oil and gas, pipeline safety and

range of stakeholders. Examples include the Texas Outdoor Writers Association, Texas Association of Campground Owners, Texas Land Conservation

Conference, Central Texas Ballooning Association, Local Emergency Planning Committees and Texas A&M Extension Service.

A few highlights include:

Energy Regulation 101

Working with the Texas Commission on

Environmental Quality and the Public Utility

Commission, the Railroad Commission hosted an

informational session for Texas legislators and staff to explain how Texas regulates energy resources.

Texas Emergency Management Conference RRC staff gathered with 3,000 emergency responders in San Antonio for the 2019 Texas Emergency

Management Conference hosted by the Texas

Department of Emergency Management. In addition to an information booth in the exhibition hall, staff presented workshops on emergency response in situations ranging from spills and remediation to hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas safety protocol.

Check out a video of our staff in action at https:// www.facebook.com/railroadcommissionoftexas/

videos/417459502417982/?v=417459502417982

2019 YEAR IN REVIEW

n FY 2019, Railroad Commission staff

EarthX

Known as the “The World’s Largest Environmental Experience,” EarthX in Dallas is the largest

Earth Day event on the planet. For the fourth

consecutive year, the Railroad Commission was

on site to answer questions, provide information

on environmental and public safety programs and direct attendees to the many resources available online through the Commission’s website. RRC distributed packets of wildflower seeds with a

friendly reminder to protect pipeline infrastructure by calling 811 before digging. The free, familyoriented event attracts an estimated 160,000

attendees providing RRC with a great opportunity

RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS

to connect directly with Texans.

Cattle Raisers’ Convention

More than 4,300 Texas ranchers traveled to Fort

Worth to attend the largest ranching event in the Southwestern United States -- the Cattle Raisers Convention and Expo. Commission staff were

on site with their boots on to share information on abandoned oil and gas wells, pipeline safety requirements and oil and gas well regulations. Staff also demonstrated the RRC’s Public GIS map viewer and educated attendees about

RRC’s online resources available to help them understand energy infrastructure on their ranchlands.

Texas Municipal League Conference

The Texas Municipal League Conference attracts 3,000 mayors, council members, city managers,

city attorneys and city department heads focused on legal, legislative and training services for city governments in Texas. RRC programs including the Pipeline Damage Prevention Program,

intended to keep pipeline infrastructure safe,

and Brownfields Response Program, an excellent economic development opportunity, empowers Texas cities by helping to protect their citizens

2019 YEAR IN REVIEW

and their natural resources.

FEATURE

Bullock Texas State History Museum Features Oil & Gas Exhibit RRC staff assisted with one of the newest exhibits at the Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin. The exhibit, Texas Oil and Gas, demonstrates how the state’s energy industry leads the nation and world. RRC staff shared their world-renown oil and gas expertise with the museum on the state’s hydrocarbon-rich geologic formations such as the Permian Basin and Eagle Ford Shale. Visitors can join an RRC Oil & Gas Division Director on a lease inspection via video, and view an antique, linen oil and gas well map from 1932 on loan from RRC’s mapping department. Texas Oil and Gas brings together the history of the oil boom with engaging scientific content and interactivity to share the story of how oil changed Texas.

RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS

Details on the exhibit can be found at https://www.thestoryoftexas.com/visit/exhibits/ texas-oil-and-gas

2019 YEAR IN REVIEW

SAFETY RRC Alternative Fuels Safety (AFS) Sets Licensing Record in FY 2019

RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS

ore than 7,300 licenses in a year or 20 each day—that’s how many licenses the Commission’s Alternative Fuels licensing section issued in FY 2019 setting a record. Not stopping there, staff also registered the highest number of trucks—nearly 5,600—to distribute liquefied petroleum gas (propane), compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquified natural gas (LNG) in FY 2019.

• Performed a record number of alternative fuel inspections - almost 19,000 - exceeding the key performance measure goal of 17,000. • Issued over 7,300 AFS licenses, including a record number of transport trucks registered—almost 5,600. • Administered the highest number of AFS certification exams in agency history — almost 6,500. • Processed a record number of renewals for all AFS certificate holders—over 16,000.

RRC’s Alternative Fuels section protects public safety by overseeing operators’ compliance with Commission rules on propane, CNG and LNG. Companies installing, transporting, dispensing and selling alternative fuels must be licensed with the Commission. Individuals performing activities with alternative fuels must be certified by the Commission and all alternative fuel installations must be installed in accordance with the Commission rules.

RRC Seeks the Public’s Help to Find Texas’ Historic Underground Mines

ailroad Commission staff are requesting help from the public in their hunt for historic underground coal mine tunnels. Nearly 100 years ago Texans hand dug tunnels to reach shallow coal deposits then in demand by power plants located along railroads supplying Texas A&M University and the University of Texas. At that time there were no mining regulations requiring mining permits, site maps or mine reclamation plans. Staff in RRC’s Abandoned Mine Land and Reclamation program (AMLR) are currently working with landowners to inventory and reclaim historic underground mine tunnels.

Landowners who think they may have an historic underground mine tunnel are asked to contact the RRC’s Abandoned Mine Land and Reclamation Program at 512-305-8830 or mining@rrc.texas.gov.

2019 YEAR IN REVIEW

Once an underground tunnel is found and confirmed, the sites are prioritized with those posing a public safety risk ranked highest. In some cases, tunnels may have collapsed on themselves and no filling in will be needed. In other cases, if voids are found during mapping the RRC can use federal AMLR funding to fill in the tunnels.

RRC Reminds Texans to Call 811 Before Digging

ake a closer look at a Railroad Commission vehicle the next time you are out on the highway. They are reminding Texans they are required by law to call 811 before digging 16 inches or deeper to have underground pipelines marked. This call helps prevent pipeline accidents and damage and is required by RRC’s Underground Pipeline Damage Prevention rules. All 278 Railroad Commission vehicles began sporting “811 Call Before You Dig” stickers, courtesy of Texas811, in 2019.

RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS

RRC emphasizes the importance of safe digging and calling 811 all year long. National Safe Digging Month in April and 811 Day on 8-11 (August 11) bring awareness to Texas’ extensive pipeline infrastructure. With almost half a million miles of active pipeline underground in Texas, it is important to remind everyone from homeowners to contractors to call 811 before digging. This ensures lines are properly marked and helps prevent injuries, property damage and inconvenient outages.

• Performed 4,800 pipeline safety evaluations, including 3,086 standard and comprehensive pipeline safety inspections, as well as 1,715 pipeline accident investigations and special investigations. • Processed 5,147 pipeline safety permit actions, an increase of 42 percent from the 3,636 permit actions in fiscal year 2018.

RRC Safety Training on Cybersecurity

2019 YEAR IN REVIEW

n recognition of National Cyber Security Awareness Month and several cybersecurity bills passed by the 86th Legislature that directly affect RRC agency operations, the Information Technology Services, Government Relations, Communications, and Safety Divisions teamed up to provide RRC employees a safety training seminar about cybersecurity. During this training, employees learned about legislative updates and the Railroad Commissionâ€™s requirements for cybersecurity. Employees also learned more about sensitive data handling, safe browsing habits, mobile device security, security awareness training and phishing prevention tips.

FEATURE

2019 RRC Regulatory Conference Sets Record Attendance

n August 2019, the Railroad Commission wrapped up its second successful year of providing comprehensive workshops to educate energy industry employees on compliance with RRCâ€™s rules and regulations. The two-day event was sold out with 770 in attendance at the AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center in Austin. The Conference featured two educational tracks, Oil and Gas and Pipeline Safety. More than 40 experts provided information and answered questions. In addition to RRC staff, speakers from federal agencies and industry leaders shared their expertise.

The speakers had excellent knowledge of their subject matter and did a fantastic job with the presentations. The RRC staff were very approachable and happy to answer questions. RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS

-- RRC 2019 Regulatory Conference attendee

To learn about future RRC energy educational opportunities subscribe to the Commissionâ€™s Subscription Services at: https://rrc.texas.gov/ about-us/resource-center/subscription-services/

2019 YEAR IN REVIEW

TRAINING

RRC Learning Together, Building a Stronger Team

s the One Agency, One Team culture began to grow in 2019, the Railroad Commission’s leadership set a goal to make RRC one of the best places to work in Texas. This includes making RRC a place for people who want more than just a job to find a fulfilling career in public service. With a focus on RRC’s core principles to be collaborative, results driven and to employ a service-oriented mindset, training programs became a priority at RRC. The result? Clear and consistent expectations and an enhanced sense of camaraderie among employees.

GROW Program

In FY 2019, the GROW Program was launched to

prepare the next generation of Commission leaders. GROW stands for Groundwork, Opportunity, and

Wisdom. It’s a three-phase, competitive program built around highly specialized executive level

training from the McCombs School of Business at

RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS

the University of Texas.

Boots on the Ground

Cross-Divisional Training

Ground, a statewide training initiative for all oil and

initiative to train RRC employees on technical

gas inspectors, starting with those who have less

than two years’ tenure. Training ensures inspectors are following the same processes and procedures statewide, ensuring consistent application of

agency rules and regulations. Boots on the Ground curriculum includes a review of the Commission’s

oil and gas rules and mock exercises for inspections and responding to spills and complaints.

The Oil and Gas Division initiated an educational processes and procedures. The goal of the series

is to advance oil and gas knowledge and enhance cross-divisional collaboration as One Agency,

One Team. The cross-training included individuals from all divisions within the agency. In addition,

representatives from other regulatory agencies as

well as industry presented a variety of topics to staff.

The industries regulated by the Commission are rapidly evolving and RRC staff must evolve with them. As RRC’s One Agency, One Team culture grows, learning together will be a vital building block. The more we know about each other and each other’s jobs, the stronger we are as a team.

2019 YEAR IN REVIEW

The Oil and Gas Division launched Boots on the

RRC Employees Learn Sign Language RRC staff began American Sign Language (ASL) training to learn about deaf culture and better

communicate with their deaf and hard-of-hearing

team members, as well as the general public. During a series of lunch hour sessions employees learned basic ASL language skills and worked to improve

their proficiency. Accessibility is a top priority at the

Commission and RRC employees are doing their part to better communicate with their colleagues and constituents.

RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS

https://youtu.be/UMumtknFD9g

Introducing the RRC Energy Minute.

his year RRCâ€™s Government Relations team introduced the RRC Energy Minute for

members of the Texas Legislature and Texas

Congressional Delegation. The Energy Minute provides monthly updates on critical topics relating to this yearâ€™s editions included pipeline infrastructure expansion, RRC well plugging, and, among others, statewide oil and gas production. Read the latest issue!

2019 YEAR IN REVIEW

the RRC and the energy industry. Topics included in