The Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) has launched a new website that is intended to improve the availability of commission data and information on its oil and gas regulatory activities. It’s part of the first phase of an information technology (IT) overhaul at the commission.

The new website was launched following input from stakeholders on three different proposed designs.

“This final design is a blend of the different characteristics most favored by those who filled out surveys on the three options provided,” said RRC Chairman Barry Smitherman.

The old website will be available until July 1, but it is no longer being updated.

The new website has an index of pages that is organized by industry segment: oil and gas, gas services, pipeline safety, mining and exploration, and alternative fuels. There are audience-specific pages for consumers, landowners, mineral owners and the news media. The most commonly used commission resources can be accessed via a “resource center” link under the “about us” tab on the website.

Additionally, the site includes a calendar of events for training/certifications that are hosted by the RRC. The design of the site is intended to be smartphone- and tablet-friendly.

“The new website is part of phase one of our IT modernization that we hope will ultimately result in stakeholders and the public having greater ease and access to our agency’s data, which includes everything from Texas oil and gas production statistics to drilling permits,” said RRC Commissioner David Porter.

Next year the RRC said it plans to improve upon the website by offering mapping interfaces; consolidating data queries related to production data and drilling permits; releasing an improved application for submission of regulatory filings; and making available additional filings online.

“In the second phase of our IT overhaul, we will be migrating content from the old website to the new site, and [we] ask that everyone be patient until the new site is fully up and running,” said RRC Commissioner Christi Craddick.