.The Texas Energy Report

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.The Texas Energy Report

RRC Year In Review Recounts Accomplishments: News Release

December 20, 2019

The Railroad Commission of Texas today released its 2019 Year in Review highlighting the regulatory agency’s accomplishments during the past year. The Year in Review outlines the Commission’s successes in achieving the highest standard of service by modernizing processes, enhancing transparency and exceeding performance expectations.

Throughout 2019, the Commission enhanced its protection of public safety and our natural resources while maintaining strong regulatory oversight. The Commission plugged orphan wells at an historic rate, launched the RRC Online Inspection Lookup application and began transitioning data from an antiquated mainframe system to a modern, cloud-based platform. The 2019 Year in Review details these accomplishments and many more with video, photos, infographics and links to additional information. The Year in Review can be found here.

The Commission regulates oil and gas exploration and production, pipeline safety, surface mining, natural gas utilities and alternative fuels.

The Railroad Commission encourages everyone to share the 2019 Year in Review using the hashtag #TxRRC….
 

Save the Dates: RRC Hosts Regulatory Forums in Corpus Christi, Fort Worth, Houston and Midland: News Release

The Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) will host one-day Regulatory Forums throughout the state this spring.

  • January 22, 2020 — Corpus Christi
  • February 4, 2020 — Houston
  • March 5, 2020 — Fort Worth
  • April 1, 2020 — Midland
  • April 2, 2020 — Midland

The RRC is hosting these forums to educate and train energy industry representatives on a variety of topics, including:

  • drilling permitting;
  • completions;
  • Form P-16, Acreage Designation;
  • injection well permitting; and
  • pipeline permitting.

The registration fee is $100 per person. For additional event information, visit the RRC website at http://www.rrc.texas.gov/oil-gas/oil-gas-workshops-and-seminars/.

 

Few Changes Expected for Oil Supply, Demand

By Alex Mills

December 12, 2019

Crude oil markets were cautious following the meeting of OPEC last week, and the announcement by the International Energy Agency (IEA) it expects a modest increase in worldwide supply and demand.

Crude oil was trading in the $63-$64 range on the international market from Brent crude oil and in the $58-$59 range for West Texas Intermediate on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

OPEC agreed to cut another 500,000 barrels per day (b/d) from it previously announced cuts of 1.2 million b/d in an effort to deplete the oversupply worldwide. Saudi Arabia led the agreement by announcing it will reduce production another 170,000 b/d. Russia, a non-member of OPEC but one of the three largest oil producers, said it will cut another 70,000 b/d. Iraq, a member of OPEC, said it would reluctantly cut 50,000 b/d. Iran and Venezuela have involuntarily reduced exports because of other factors, including sanctions by U.S.

The IEA report, released about two weeks before the OPEC meeting, said production from non-OPEC countries, such as the U.S., will increase from 1.8 million b/d to 2.3 million b/d next year. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) at the U.S. Department of Energy predicts U.S. production will increase 900,000 b/d to 13.2 million b/d in 2020 even though the drilling rig count has declined about 20 percent this year…..
 

Update On Clean Up at TPC Port Neches: Law/Fire Unified Command

December 10, 2019

“Unified Command reports ongoing response efforts at TPC Group Port Neches Operations remain focused on safely bringing the event to an end.

“Situational update: Response efforts continue to focus on activities to secure site equipment and minimize impact to the environment, while preserving the safety of emergency responders.

“On Monday (December 9), TPC Group began introducing an additive known as “DEHA” (diethylhydroxylamine) to storage tanks containing butadiene to stabilize the materials for longer-term storage, transportation, and removal from the site. DEHA is used to inhibit or prevent chemical reactions in storage tanks and it is commonly used in industry operations and materials transport. TPC Group is introducing DEHA to 11 storage tanks containing butadiene using portable equipment. This will be a phased process and is expected to take approximately five days to complete. No off-site impacts or public health concerns are anticipated as part of the DEHA process…..