Railroad

Texas oil and gas operators are adopting the the Railroad Commission of Texas’ (RRC) latest electronic reporting system, having filed more than 1,000 well completion reports online through the commission’s website since the system was launched statewide in April.

Michael Williams, who sits on the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC), has asked Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott for a legal opinion on whether the RRC would have authority to halt drilling in the Barnett Shale.

Richard A. Varela, previously executive director of the Railroad Commission of Texas, has been tapped as executive vice president (EVP) of the Texas Independent Producers & Royalty Owners Association (TIPRO). Varela, an engineer and 40-year veteran of the oil and gas industry, “understands the regulatory, political and economic challenges we independents face,” said TIPRO President Walter “Tad” Mayfield. Varela will assume his duties Jan. 4. Donna Warndof also was promoted to vice president of public affairs. Warndof currently serves as interim EVP and has been the association’s director of public affairs for three years. TIPRO has more than 2,000 members and represents independent producers and royalty owners.

Expressing concern that proposed renewable energy transmission lines may “impede the development of oil and natural gas resources,” the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) last week filed motions to intervene in several Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) proceedings.

The headline, “Texas Railroad Commission Tries to Block Renewable Transmission Lines,” which accompanied a story regarding some motions filed by the commission to intervene in several Public Utility Commission of Texas proceedings (see Daily GPI, Dec. 3), was misleading. The commission does not necessarily oppose Oncor’s plans to build renewable transmission lines across the state, and Oncor will work with the commission to address all of its concerns as it would with any intervenor in the process, a spokesperson said.

Expressing concern that proposed renewable energy transmission lines may “impede the development of oil and natural gas resources,” the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) this week filed motions to intervene in several Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) proceedings.

The Texas Railroad Commission (RRC) on Tuesday unanimously denied a request by Chesapeake Energy Corp. that asked for retroactive permission to continue drilling a horizontal natural gas well in the Barnett Shale in Fort Worth.

An investigation of three May 16 natural gas explosions and a fire in McKinney, TX, by the Texas Railroad Commission (RRC) alleges six violations by Atmos Energy Corp. and two by contractor M.J. Sheridan Inc., according to a report released last week.

The investigation of three May 16 natural gas explosions and a fire in McKinney, TX, by the Texas Railroad Commission (RRC) alleges six violations by Atmos Energy Corp. and two by contractor M.J. Sheridan Inc., according to a report released Tuesday.