The Wise Report
The Texas Railroad Commission (RRC) adopts amendments to §3.15, relating to Surface Equipment Removal Requirements and Inactive Wells, with one change to the proposed text as published in the August 26, 2016, issue of the Texas Register (41 TexReg 6311). The RRC adopts the amendments to more accurately track when inactive wells have been returned to production, thereby reducing the administrative burden for the operators of those wells and associated costs to industry. The RRC adopts the amendments with an effective date of January 1, 2017. For more information go to: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/archive/December22016/
While the State Legislature meets in January, bills are already being filed:
HB 484, by Spring, Relating to training required to qualify for or renew a license issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The TCEQ must provide a location within 100 miles of the place of employment of a person who is required to receive the training, reimbursement for travel and lodging expenses incurred if training isn’t available within 100 miles, or online training. Filed 12/2/2016. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=85R&Bill=HB484
SB 177, by Van, Taylor, Relating to unit operations for oil, gas, or oil and gas production from depleting reservoirs or carbon dioxide storage; authorizing a fee. Filed 11/14/2016. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=85R&Bill=SB177
SB 189, by Uresti, Relating to notice of an application for a permit to drill certain injection wells within a certain distance of a groundwater conservation district. “A person making application to the railroad commission for a permit for an injection well to which this subchapter applies the proposed location of which is in the territory of or within 10 miles of the boundaries of a groundwater conservation district shall: (1) submit a copy of the application to the governing body of each such groundwater conservation district; and (2) submit with the application evidence showing that the applicant has complied with Subdivision (1).. Received by the Secretary of the Senate 11/10/2014.” For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=85R&Bill=SB189