Laura K. Saegert, Appraisal Archivist, March 16, 2001
Agency Contact
Agency contact information for each series was current at the time of the report but may have changed in the interim. Please call (512-463-5455) for current contact information of the agency's records manager or records liaison for these records.
Record Series Reviews
Records Series Review
Series Title:
Operator/responsible party cleanup files
Agency: Railroad Commission
Oil and Gas Division - Site Remediation
Contact: Jill Edwards
Obsolete record series? No
Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: less than one cubic ft.
Agency holdings:
According to the retention schedule the original paper record is retained
for three years after the file is closed, then microfilmed. Once microfilmed,
the paper copy is destroyed. Records in this series have not yet been
microfilmed. The agency will eventually microfilm or scan the records.
Dates covered are 1996-[ongoing]. Files comprise about two cubic feet
and are maintained in the Oil and Gas Division at agency headquarters.
The series has a retention period of 100 years.
Description:
These files contain correspondence, consultant reports, status reports,
plats, photographs, etc., concerning long-term cleanups of oil and gas
pollution by operators, usually large corporations, conducted under
Railroad Commission supervision. Dates covered are 1996-[ongoing]. Incidents
requiring cleanup include ground water or surface pollution from oil
or gas leaks or spills, salt water pollution of ground water, etc. When
a complaint regarding oil or gas pollution is filed, a RRC district
office investigates. The office evaluates the site and determines what
type of cleanup is needed. The operator or company sends the plans for
the cleanup to the RRC for approval. Once approved, the cleanup begins
and is usually undertaken in stages that could last years. The operator
sends status or progress reports to the RRC. Large cleanups are handled
directly through the Austin office. Smaller cleanups are handled in
the district offices. See the series Complaint files/pollution: water
well contamination (4.115) for district office files regarding the
complaint investigations and inspections. See the series D-forms:
(pollution/water well contamination) (4.118) for the district files
regarding cleanups. For files on cleanups undertaken directly by the
Railroad Commission, see the series Abandoned site candidate
(4.085).
These files may be involved in litigation. Portions of the files are
exempted from public disclosure when litigation is threatened or pending.
See Texas Government Code, Section 552.022 (1), 552.101, 552.103, 552.107,
552.108, and 552.111.
These cleanup files are maintained for 100 years by the RRC because
ground water and surface pollution by oil and gas operations may have
environmental impact.
Regulation of oil and gas operations by the Railroad Commission is
governed by 16 TAC, Chapter 3.
Purpose:
The records are created in the course of cleanup operations of oil and
gas polluted sites by operators/responsible parties under RRC supervision.
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and conducts
seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees: railroad
safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium, and iron
ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services Division,
the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation Division,
and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's Enforcement
Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels Research and
Education Division has research and education functions. Support divisions
include the Public Information Office, Personnel, Finance and Administration,
Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental Affairs, and the
Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners direct the operations
of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas Constitution,
Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural Resources Code,
Chapter 81.
The Oil and Gas Division works to prevent the waste of oil, gas, and
geothermal resources and to prevent the pollution of fresh water from
oil and gas operations. The division holds statewide hearings on market
demand and provides for equitable production among operators by establishing
monthly production allowables. It issues drilling permits, reviews and
approves oil and gas well completions, collects data on oil and gas
operations, and promotes public safety. It also protects underground
drinking water through regulation of the underground injection of fluids
in oil field operations, a program approved by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. It oversees
well plugging operations, site remediation, underground hydrocarbon
storage, hazardous waste management; and maintains a large amount of
data on wells - their location, production, etc. The division also investigates
complaints and conducts investigations. This division maintains 10 district
offices where field enforcement and support personnel monitor oil and
gas operations. The commission does not have the authority to set oil
and gas prices at the wellhead. The departments within the Oil and Gas
Division are: Administration, Permitting/Production Services, Information
Management Services, Environmental Services, Compliance, and the Oil
Field Cleanup Operations Unit (including Site Remediation and Special
Response, and Well Plugging).
Arrangement: By date the file is closed (fiscal year, month), district,
then by operator name.
Access constraints:
Portions of the files are exempted from public disclosure when litigation
is threatened or pending. See Texas Government Code, Section 552.022
(1), 552.101, 552.103, 552.107, 552.108, and 552.111.
Use constraints:
Records are restricted from use until any litigation involving the case
is settled.
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access? No
Problems: None
Known related records in other agencies: None
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission and none were found for this series or for equivalent
or related series.
Publications based on records: None
Series data from agency schedule:
Title: Operator/responsible party cleanup files
Series item number: none
Agency item number: 4.088
Archival code: none
Retention: 100 years
Archival holdings:
None in the holdings of the Archives and Information Services Division
of the Library and Archives Commission.
Texas Documents Collection holdings: None
Gaps: None
Appraisal decision:
These files concern cleanups of pollution of ground water and the surface
from oil and gas operations - spills, leaks, etc., by operators/responsible
parties. Because of the high environmental concerns with both the pollution
and the thoroughness of the cleanup, these files have long-term administrative
and archival value as cleanups of pollutants need to be documented.
This series has been appraised as archival. Add an archival code of
A to the retention schedule. The RRC feels it needs to keep the records
in-house 100 years; I recommend a shorter retention period, perhaps
keeping the files 50 years at the agency, then transferring the files
to the Archives. Records can be transferred when they have fulfilled
the retention period and there is no possibility of litigation. There
are no files ready for transfer to the Archives at this time. RRC has
said it may scan the records and keep the scanned images in place of
the originals. If the records are scanned, it will be the responsibility
of the Railroad Commission to comply with 13 Texas Administrative Code,
Section 6.95 (b), on the Final Disposition of Electronic Records, as
follows: "An electronic state record that is an archival record
must be maintained by the agency through hardware and software migrations
and upgrades as authentic evidence of the state's business in accessible
and searchable form, except as otherwise determined by the state archivist."
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Records Series Review
Series Title:
Organization report
Agency: Railroad Commission
Oil and Gas Division - Permitting
Contact: Tim Poe
Obsolete record series? No
Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: 5.5 cubic ft.
Agency holdings:
Original paper record is retained for one year then microfilmed. Once
microfilmed, the paper copy is destroyed. Dates of the records are 1965-[ongoing].
Files are comprised of 255 microfilm rolls, and current year holdings
of paper, 5.5 cubic feet. The paper records and a duplicate of the microfilm
are in the Oil and Gas Division at agency headquarters. Microfilm master
is maintained at the State Records Center. The series has a retention
period of 100 years.
Description:
These are reports (form P-5) required to be filed annually by all organizations
engaged in oil and gas operations in Texas. Dates covered are 1965-[ongoing].
Each report contains the organization's name and address; the name,
title, driver's license number or state ID number, and address of the
three primary officers; plan of the organization; name and address of
associated company (if this one is a subsidiary); and the RRC operator
number and name/address of the previous organization (if this is a reorganization).
After the initial filing, the RRC assigns the company an RRC operator
number that will be used in future forms/reports to the RRC. No production
data is included. Attachments include bonds and letters of credit, franchise
tax certification, and a list of all officers or holders with 25% or
more interest in the company. Some data from the organization reports
is copied to and maintained in an in-house database.
Annual organization reports of companies engaged in oil
and gas operations in Texas are filed in accordance with Statewide Rule
1 (16 TAC, §3.1). The rule requires that the organization report be
filed with the Railroad Commission and that all officers, directors,
general partners, owners of more than 25 percent ownership interest,
or trustees be listed.
The organization reports are accessed frequently, for
liability issues (if there is a problem in production, etc.), and to
check the officers of companies. The agency is maintaining the reports
for 100 years because of long-term legal value.
Purpose:
The records report organizational data about companies engaged in the
oil and gas business in Texas as required by Statewide Rule 1 (16 TAC,
§3.1).
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and conducts
seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees: railroad
safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium, and iron
ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Oil and Gas Division works to prevent the waste of
oil, gas, and geothermal resources and to prevent the pollution of fresh
water from oil and gas operations. The division holds statewide hearings
on market demand and provides for equitable production among operators
by establishing monthly production allowables. It issues drilling permits,
reviews and approves oil and gas well completions, collects data on
oil and gas operations, and promotes public safety. It also protects
underground drinking water through regulation of the underground injection
of fluids in oil field operations, a program approved by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. It oversees
well plugging operations, site remediation, underground hydrocarbon
storage, hazardous waste management; and maintains a large amount of
data on wells - their location, production, etc. The division also investigates
complaints and conducts investigations. This division maintains 10 district
offices where field enforcement and support personnel monitor oil and
gas operations. The commission does not have the authority to set oil
and gas prices at the wellhead. The departments within the Oil and Gas
Division are: Administration, Permitting/Production Services, Information
Management Services, Environmental Services, Compliance, and the Oil
Field Cleanup Operations Unit (including Site Remediation and Special
Response, and Well Plugging).
Arrangement: Reports from 1965 to 1984 are arranged by
alphabetical order by operator name. Reports from 1985 forward are arranged
in numerical order by operator number.
Access constraints: None
Use constraints: None
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
Yes. There is an index to the microfilm.
Problems: None
Known related records in other agencies: None
Previous destructions:
Organization reports (P-5) - several destruction requests were
submitted between March 1686 and April 1997 to destroy paper records
dating 1985-1996 after microfilming.
Publications based on records: None
Series data from agency schedule:
Title: Organization report
Series item number: none
Agency item number: 4.089
Archival code: none
Retention: 100 years
Archival holdings:
None in the holdings of the Archives and Information Services Division
of the Library and Archives Commission.
Texas Documents Collection holdings: None
Gaps: No reports are present prior to 1965.
Appraisal decision:
These are organization reports for companies engaged in the oil and
gas business in Texas. The reports require approval by the Commission
for the company to continue operations in Texas. The reports are a good
source of general information about each company, its structure, and
the officers/directors/interest holders. There is long-term administrative
value to the RRC to retain information about companies in case of leaks,
spills, or other problems that may occur years after a well was drilled
or plugged. The Archives has organization reports from gas utility companies,
railroad companies, and telephone and electric utility companies. The
oil and gas company reports do not have as much information as is in
the other organization reports mentioned, but are the best source at
the RRC.
This series has been appraised to be archival. Add an
archival code of A to the retention schedule. The RRC feels it needs
to keep the records in-house 100 years; I recommend a shorter retention
period, perhaps keeping the files 50 years at the agency, then transferring
the files to the Archives. As this series began in 1965, there are no
files eligible for transfer to the Archives at this time.
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Records Series Review
Series Title:
W-1X: Application for future re-entry of inactive wellbore and 14(B)(2)
extension permit
Agency: Railroad Commission
Oil and Gas Division - Permitting
Contact: Tim Poe
Obsolete record series? No
Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: about 15 cubic ft.
Agency holdings:
Original paper record retained four years after the file is closed,
then microfilmed. Once microfilmed, the paper copy is destroyed. Dates
of the paper records are 1995-[ongoing], comprising 44 cubic feet. Dates
of the microfilm are 1988-1994 and consist of 10 rolls. The paper records
and a duplicate of the microfilm are in the Oil and Gas Division at
agency headquarters. Microfilm master is maintained at the State Records
Center. The series has a retention period of 100 years.
Description:
These are requests by operators to the Railroad Commission for well
plugging extensions. Dates covered are 1988-[ongoing]. Information on
the application (form W-1X) includes the operator's name, address, ID
number, and RRC district number; field and lease names; and a list of
wells for an extension, with the oil lease or gas ID number, the well
number, American Petroleum Institute (API) number, date inactive, county
located in, and the current permit extension number or the docket number.
If a well is inactive for a year, it has to be plugged. Operators request
an extension by submitting these forms (W-1X). The extensions are good
for a year. The requests need to be approved before the RRC approves
the operator's organization report. The requests also have to be filed
when a new operator takes over a well, even if a current extension is
on file. This series contains active and inactive permits. All wells
for which extensions are requested must have on file with the Railroad
Commission W-2 forms (oil well potential tests and logs) and G-1 forms
(pressure tests and logs for gas wells).
The process for granting extensions to plugging wells
is regulated by Statewide Rule 14 (16 TAC, §3.14). Extensions are required
to be filed for gas wells inactive for one year or more; oil wells inactive
for a year or more; uncompleted but cased wells, where drilling has
ceased for a year or more.
The files are used heavily in enforcement actions to
prove or disprove whether a well is plugged. The agency is maintaining
the files for 100 years.
Purpose:
By these requests operators request well-plugging extensions as allowed
under Statewide Rule 14 (16 TAC, §3.14).
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and conducts
seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees: railroad
safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium, and iron
ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Oil and Gas Division works to prevent the waste of
oil, gas, and geothermal resources and to prevent the pollution of fresh
water from oil and gas operations. The division holds statewide hearings
on market demand and provides for equitable production among operators
by establishing monthly production allowables. It issues drilling permits,
reviews and approves oil and gas well completions, collects data on
oil and gas operations, and promotes public safety. It also protects
underground drinking water through regulation of the underground injection
of fluids in oil field operations, a program approved by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. It oversees
well plugging operations, site remediation, underground hydrocarbon
storage, hazardous waste management; and maintains a large amount of
data on wells - their location, production, etc. The division also investigates
complaints and conducts investigations. This division maintains 10 district
offices where field enforcement and support personnel monitor oil and
gas operations. The commission does not have the authority to set oil
and gas prices at the wellhead. The departments within the Oil and Gas
Division are: Administration, Permitting/Production Services, Information
Management Services, Environmental Services, Compliance, and the Oil
Field Cleanup Operations Unit (including Site Remediation and Special
Response, and Well Plugging).
Arrangement: Paper records are arranged chronologically
by year then by RRC organization number. Microfilm is arranged chronologically
by year then by operator number.
Access constraints: None
Use constraints: None
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
Yes, for the microfilm.
Problems: None
Known related records in other agencies: None
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission and none were found for this series or for equivalent
or related series.
Publications based on records: None
Series data from agency schedule:
Title: W-1X: Application for future re-entry of inactive wellbore and
14(B)(2) extension
permit
Series item number: none
Agency item number: 4.090
Archival code: none
Retention: 100 years
Archival holdings:
None in the holdings of the Archives and Information Services Division
of the Library and Archives Commission.
Texas Documents Collection holdings: None
Gaps: No records are present prior to 1988.
Appraisal decision:
These are permits to allow operators another year before having to plug
inactive wells. I agree with the agency that these permits do have legal
value in that they are used in enforcement to prove or disprove a well
was plugged. The records can document that an inactive well was not
plugged at a particular time. Dates of wells plugging are available
in other series. This series has been appraised to be non-archival.
The RRC is keeping these permit files for 100 years because of long-term
legal value. That is more than a sufficient retention period for this
series. Since this series does not have an archival code no changes
need to be made to the retention schedule.
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Records Series Review
Series Title:
Reclamation plant permits: active and inactive
Agency: Railroad Commission
Oil and Gas Division - Permitting
Contact: Tim Poe
Obsolete record series? No
Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: less than one cubic ft.
Agency holdings:
Original paper record retained permanently in the Oil and Gas Division
at agency headquarters. Dates covered are 1978-[ongoing]. Files comprise
4.5 linear feet. (1.5 feet are active permits, 3 feet are inactive permits).
The agency will begin microfilming the files shortly.
Older reclamation plant permits dating 1957-1959 are
stored separately in the Central Records area of the Oil and Gas Division.
The older files consist of about 1.5 cubic feet.
Description:
These are application packets (form R-9 and attachments) and permits
to operate reclamation plants. Dates covered are 1957-1959, 1978-[ongoing].
Information on the application includes the operator's name and address,
operator number, county plant is located in, driving directions to the
facility, type of facility (permanent/portable), description of the
treating process, types of vehicles material are transported in, and
a list of other oil and/or gas-related facilities within 100 yards.
Attachments include a public notice, a sketch of facility, closing cost
of facility and a plan, Railroad Commission (RRC) engineer reviews of
facility, and possibly bonds or letters of credit. Monthly reports (form
R-2) of plant operations are filed in the series Plants/refinery
reports (4.035).
Reclamation plants separate usable products from oil
and gas sludge. Operators apply for permits to the RRC. If a protest
is filed, the RRC will likely hold a hearing. If a hearing is held,
additional documentation is found in the series Hearing files
(4.011, 4.012).
Issuing permits to operate reclamation plants is regulated
by Statewide Rule 57 (16 TAC, §3.57). The rule concerns "the reclamation
of tank bottoms and other hydrocarbon wastes generated through activities
associated with the exploration, development, and production (including
transportation) of crude oil and other waste materials containing oil,
as those activities are defined in §3.8(a)(30) of this title (relating
to Water Protection)."
The agency is maintaining the permit files permanently
because of the potential for pollution and related environmental concerns.
Purpose:
Reclamation plant permits are issued for the operation of reclamation
plants in accordance with Statewide Rule 57 (16 TAC, §3.57).
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and conducts
seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees: railroad
safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium, and iron
ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Oil and Gas Division works to prevent the waste of
oil, gas, and geothermal resources and to prevent the pollution of fresh
water from oil and gas operations. The division holds statewide hearings
on market demand and provides for equitable production among operators
by establishing monthly production allowables. It issues drilling permits,
reviews and approves oil and gas well completions, collects data on
oil and gas operations, and promotes public safety. It also protects
underground drinking water through regulation of the underground injection
of fluids in oil field operations, a program approved by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. It oversees
well plugging operations, site remediation, underground hydrocarbon
storage, hazardous waste management; and maintains a large amount of
data on wells - their location, production, etc. The division also investigates
complaints and conducts investigations. This division maintains 10 district
offices where field enforcement and support personnel monitor oil and
gas operations. The commission does not have the authority to set oil
and gas prices at the wellhead. The departments within the Oil and Gas
Division are: Administration, Permitting/Production Services, Information
Management Services, Environmental Services, Compliance, and the Oil
Field Cleanup Operations Unit (including Site Remediation and Special
Response, and Well Plugging).
Arrangement: Alphabetical by operator name.
Access constraints: None
Use constraints: None
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
No
Problems: None
Known related records in other agencies: None
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission and none were found for this series or for equivalent
or related series.
Publications based on records: None
Series data from agency schedule:
Title: Reclamation plant permits: active and inactive
Series item number: none
Agency item number: 4.091
Archival code: none
Retention: PM
Archival holdings:
None in the holdings of the Archives and Information Services Division
of the Library and Archives Commission.
Texas Documents Collection holdings: None
Gaps: No records present prior to 1957. There is a gap
between 1959 and 1978.
Appraisal decision:
These are application files and permits issued for the operation of
reclamation plants. The files have long-term administrative value for
the agency in carrying on its role of environmental protection. The
RRC needs to retain the reclamation plant permits permanently in its
role of regulating the oil and gas industry and providing a measure
of environmental protection by monitoring the operation of reclamation
plants. These files have long-term administrative value to the agency
by reporting on processing operations in reclamation plants. Monthly
reports of plant operations are filed in the series Plants/refinery
reports (4.035). Reclamation plant operators are listed in an annual
published directory of active oil and gas organizations registered with
the RRC. And, for situations where there is opposition to a plant's
operations, a hearing is held by the RRC, see the series Hearing
files (4.011, 4.012). This series has been appraised to be non-archival.
Since the series does not contain an archival code no changes need to
be made to the retention schedule.
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Records Series Review
Series Title:
H-15: Test on an inactive well more than 25 years old, type B: mechanical
integrity test
Agency: Railroad Commission
Oil and Gas Division - Permitting
Contact: Tim Poe
Obsolete record series? No
Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: about 1 cubic ft.
Agency holdings:
Original paper record is retained for two years after file is closed,
then microfilmed. Once microfilmed, the paper copy is destroyed. Dates
of the paper records are 1998-[ongoing], comprising two cubic feet.
The microfilm is dated 1993-1997 and consists of 4 rolls. The paper
records and a duplicate of the microfilm are housed in the Oil and Gas
Division at agency headquarters. Microfilm master is maintained at the
State Records Center. The series has a retention period of 100 years.
Description:
The files record tests intended to show that an inactive well is not
a pollution threat (form H-15 plus test results). Dates covered are
1993-[ongoing]. These tests are conducted on inactive wells that are
25 years old or older or wells that have had four or more W-1X extensions
(well-plugging extensions see the series W-1X: application for future
re-entry of inactive wellbore and 14(b)(2) extension permit (4.090).).
Information on the form (H-15) includes the operator's name, address,
RRC number, field name, lease name, oil or gas lease ID number, well
number, American Petroleum Institute (API) number, county located in,
drilling date of wellbore, date test performed, base of deepest usable
quality water, type of test performed (fluid or mechanical integrity),
and approved/not approved note by the Railroad Commission staff who
reviewed the test.
An annual fluid level test is performed to determine
if there is adequate separation between the base of the deepest usable-quality
water at the location of the wellbore and the top of the fluid in the
wellbore. These tests are filed in the series H-15: Test on an inactive
well more than 25 years old, type A: annual fluid level test (4.092)
[this series has a retention of AC+1 and is not being reviewed]. The
other test performed is a mechanical integrity test, filed in this series.
The well is pressured up and the integrity of the well is observed for
a short period of time. The test also provides the plug depth and base
of the deepest usable water quality depth. The chart of the test and
procedures followed by the operator for testing are reviewed by RRC
district office staff. Once this test is performed and approved, it
need not be done for another five years. Mechanical integrity tests
on brine wells and underground hydrocarbon storage wells are in the
series Mechanical integrity tests (4.082). Tests of disposal
and injection wells are in the series H-5: Disposal/injection well
test reports (4.046).
The mechanical integrity tests are required by Statewide
Rule 14 (16 TAC, §3.14 (b)(2)). The rule regulates the plugging of
wells. Section 3.14 (b)(2)(E) states the "operator of any well more
than 25 years old that becomes inactive and subject to the provisions
of this paragraph shall plug or test such well to determine whether
the well poses a potential threat of harm to natural resources, including
surface and subsurface water, oil and gas." It goes on to detail both
the fluid tests and mechanical integrity tests.
The agency is maintaining the records for 100 years because
of environmental concerns. The test results have some environmental
data. The files are also used to ascertain if a well was leaking at
a given point in time.
Purpose:
These files record mechanical integrity tests on inactive wells more
than 25 years old in accordance with Statewide Rule 14 (16 TAC, §3.14
(b)(2)).
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and conducts
seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees: railroad
safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium, and iron
ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Oil and Gas Division works to prevent the waste of
oil, gas, and geothermal resources and to prevent the pollution of fresh
water from oil and gas operations. The division holds statewide hearings
on market demand and provides for equitable production among operators
by establishing monthly production allowables. It issues drilling permits,
reviews and approves oil and gas well completions, collects data on
oil and gas operations, and promotes public safety. It also protects
underground drinking water through regulation of the underground injection
of fluids in oil field operations, a program approved by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. It oversees
well plugging operations, site remediation, underground hydrocarbon
storage, hazardous waste management; and maintains a large amount of
data on wells - their location, production, etc. The division also investigates
complaints and conducts investigations. This division maintains 10 district
offices where field enforcement and support personnel monitor oil and
gas operations. The commission does not have the authority to set oil
and gas prices at the wellhead. The departments within the Oil and Gas
Division are: Administration, Permitting/Production Services, Information
Management Services, Environmental Services, Compliance, and the Oil
Field Cleanup Operations Unit (including Site Remediation and Special
Response, and Well Plugging).
Arrangement: Paper records are arranged by RRC district
number. Microfilm records are arranged chronologically by year, then
district, then alpha by operator name.
Access constraints: None
Use constraints: None
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
Yes, for the microfilm.
Problems: None
Known related records in other agencies: None
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission and none were found for this series or for equivalent
or related series.
Publications based on records: None
Series data from agency schedule:
Title: H-15: Test on an inactive well more than 25 years old, type B:
mechanical
integrity test
Series item number: none
Agency item number: 4.093
Archival code: none
Retention: 100 years
Archival holdings:
None in the holdings of the Archives and Information Services Division
of the Library and Archives Commission.
Texas Documents Collection holdings: None
Gaps: No records are present prior to 1993.
Appraisal decision:
These are forms with mechanical integrity tests that are intended to
show an inactive well is not a pollution threat. There is some environmental
data in the test results and the tests have value as they can be used
to document if a well was leaking at a given point in time. There is
not any archival value in these files as they track the mechanical integrity
of the well over time and not the operation of the well. The RRC feels
the need to retain the mechanical integrity tests for 100 years in its
role of regulating the oil and gas industry and providing a measure
of environmental protection by monitoring the mechanical integrity of
wells. A 100 year retention at the RRC is sufficient maintenance of
this record. Since this series did not contain an archival code no changes
need to be made to the retention schedule.
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Records Series Review
Series Title:
H-9: Certificate of compliance statewide rule 36 (hydrogen sulfide)
Agency: Railroad Commission
Oil and Gas Division - Compliance/Well Plugging, Field Operations, Austin
Headquarters
Contact: Belinda Wolf
Obsolete record series? No
Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: unknown
Agency holdings:
Original paper record is retained until the well/lease is plugged or
operator changes, then microfilmed. Once microfilmed, the paper copy
is destroyed. The paper records and a duplicate of the microfilm are
housed in the Oil and Gas Division at agency headquarters. Microfilm
master is maintained at the State Records Center. The series has a retention
period of 100 years. Dates covered are ?-[ongoing]. Files comprise XX
cubic feet.
Description:
These are certificates of compliance filed by operators with the Railroad
Commission concerning oil/gas operations in a hazardous gas area. Dates
covered are ?-[ongoing]. These certificates let the RRC know that the
operation is in a hazardous gas area and if the public is exposed. Each
certificate gives the name, address, and ID number of the operator;
the type of operation; the name and location of the pipeline or plant;
lease and field names; county; the concentration and volume of hydrogen
sulfide gas; whether the wells are active or inactive; and the location
and address of the contingency plan (in case of problems). The certificates
are superseded when a new operator takes over. The certificates are
filed in triplicate at the appropriate district office, with one copy
forwarded to the state RRC headquarters in Austin. All data is also
maintained in an in-house database.
If a protest is filed, the RRC will likely hold a hearing.
If a hearing is held, additional documentation can be found in the series
Hearing files (4.011, 4.012).
The process of filing certificates of compliance concerning
oil or gas operations that may involve the release of hydrogen sulfide
is regulated by Statewide Rule 36 (16 TAC, §3.36). The rule concerns
providing safeguards to protect the general public from the harmful
effects of hydrogen sulfide. The rule applies to both intentional and
accidental releases of hydrogen sulfide in "operations including drilling,
working over, producing, injecting, gathering, processing, transporting,
and storage of hydrocarbon fluids that are part of, or directly related
to, field production, transportation, and handling of hydrocarbon fluids
that contain gas in the system that has hydrogen sulfide as a constituent
of the gas, to the extent as specified in subsection (c) of this section."
The certificates are maintained by the agency for 100
years because of the dangers of hydrogen sulfide gas exposure.
Purpose:
The certificates of compliance record oil or gas operations that may
involve the intentional or accidental release of hydrogen sulfide in
accordance with Statewide Rule 36 (16 TAC, §3.36).
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and conducts
seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees: railroad
safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium, and iron
ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Oil and Gas Division works to prevent the waste of
oil, gas, and geothermal resources and to prevent the pollution of fresh
water from oil and gas operations. The division holds statewide hearings
on market demand and provides for equitable production among operators
by establishing monthly production allowables. It issues drilling permits,
reviews and approves oil and gas well completions, collects data on
oil and gas operations, and promotes public safety. It also protects
underground drinking water through regulation of the underground injection
of fluids in oil field operations, a program approved by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. It oversees
well plugging operations, site remediation, underground hydrocarbon
storage, hazardous waste management; and maintains a large amount of
data on wells - their location, production, etc. The division also investigates
complaints and conducts investigations. This division maintains 10 district
offices where field enforcement and support personnel monitor oil and
gas operations. The commission does not have the authority to set oil
and gas prices at the wellhead. The departments within the Oil and Gas
Division are: Administration, Permitting/Production Services, Information
Management Services, Environmental Services, Compliance, and the Oil
Field Cleanup Operations Unit (including Site Remediation and Special
Response, and Well Plugging).
Arrangement: unknown
Access constraints: None
Use constraints: None
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
No
Problems: None
Known related records in other agencies: None
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission and none were found for this series or for equivalent
or related series.
Publications based on records: None
Series data from agency schedule:
Title: H-9: Certificate of compliance statewide rule 36 (hydrogen sulfide)
Series item number: none
Agency item number: 4.104
Archival code: none
Retention: 100 years
Archival holdings:
None in the holdings of the Archives and Information Services Division
of the Library and Archives Commission.
Texas Documents Collection holdings: None
Gaps: unknown
Appraisal decision:
These are certificates of compliance that document oil or gas operations
that may involve the intentional or accidental release of hydrogen sulfide.
The RRC feels the need to retain the certificates for 100 years in its
role of regulating the oil and gas industry and providing a measure
of environmental protection by monitoring operations where hydrogen
sulfide gas could be released. However, after the operations have ceased,
the administrative value of this record will diminish over time as the
danger of exposing gas lessens. The original paper record is retained
until the well is plugged or the operator changes, then it is microfilmed.
If the operator changes, then a new permit is issued and the cycle begins
again. A 100 year retention at the RRC is sufficient maintenance of
this record. This series has been appraised to be non-archival. Since
it does not contain an archival code no changes need to be made to the
retention schedule.
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Records Series Review
Series Title:
Seismic well files: non-permitted
Agency: Railroad Commission
Oil and Gas Division - Compliance/Well Plugging, Field Operations, Austin
Headquarters
Contact: Belinda Wolf
Obsolete record series? No
Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: unknown
Agency holdings:
Original paper record is maintained in the Oil and Gas Division at agency
headquarters. The RRC intends to microfilm the records in the near future.
The series has a retention period of 100 years. Dates covered are ca.
1990-[ongoing]. Files comprise XX cubic feet.
Description:
These are letters and attachments from operators to the Railroad Commission
that state the operators are doing seismic work. Dates covered are ca.
1990-[ongoing]. Each letter includes the name and address of the operator,
and the plugging date for each hole. Attachments include plats showing
the location of seismic shot holes, the plugging procedures used, and
a letter from the Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission stating
the protection depth or depths of ground water. Seismic holes are drilled
for the purpose of obtaining geophysical information to be used in the
exploration or development of oil, gas, geothermal, or other mineral
resources. When operators do seismic testing they have to ensure that
the ground water is protected from contaminants and that the contaminants
do not penetrate the base of usable quality water.
Letters stating an operator is doing seismic work are
filed in accordance with Statewide Rule 100 (16 TAC, §3.100). The rule
regulates drilling of seismic or core holes for the purpose of obtaining
geophysical information to be used in the exploration or development
of oil, gas, geothermal, or other mineral resources.
The agency maintains the seismic well files for 100 years
in case of problems with contamination of fresh water zones. The agency
would prefer to keep them permanently.
Purpose:
Operator statements to the RRC that seismic work is being performed
are filed in accordance with Statewide Rule 100 (16 TAC, §3.100).
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and conducts
seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees: railroad
safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium, and iron
ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Oil and Gas Division works to prevent the waste of
oil, gas, and geothermal resources and to prevent the pollution of fresh
water from oil and gas operations. The division holds statewide hearings
on market demand and provides for equitable production among operators
by establishing monthly production allowables. It issues drilling permits,
reviews and approves oil and gas well completions, collects data on
oil and gas operations, and promotes public safety. It also protects
underground drinking water through regulation of the underground injection
of fluids in oil field operations, a program approved by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. It oversees
well plugging operations, site remediation, underground hydrocarbon
storage, hazardous waste management; and maintains a large amount of
data on wells - their location, production, etc. The division also investigates
complaints and conducts investigations. This division maintains 10 district
offices where field enforcement and support personnel monitor oil and
gas operations. The commission does not have the authority to set oil
and gas prices at the wellhead. The departments within the Oil and Gas
Division are: Administration, Permitting/Production Services, Information
Management Services, Environmental Services, Compliance, and the Oil
Field Cleanup Operations Unit (including Site Remediation and Special
Response, and Well Plugging).
Arrangement: unknown
Access constraints: None
Use constraints: None
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
No
Problems: None
Known related records in other agencies: None
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission and none were found for this series or for equivalent
or related series.
Publications based on records: None
Series data from agency schedule:
Title: Seismic well files: non permitted
Series item number: none
Agency item number: 4.107
Archival code: none
Retention: 100 years
Archival holdings:
None in the holdings of the Archives and Information Services Division
of the Library and Archives Commission.
Texas Documents Collection holdings: None
Gaps: unknown
Appraisal decision:
These files document seismic testing done as part of the process of
oil and gas exploration. The agency maintains these seismic well files
long-term (they want to change that to permanent) in case of future
problems with contamination of the fresh water zone. Through these files
the agency can track where the holes were located and when they were
plugged. This information is not available elsewhere and has long-term
administrative value as well as possibly archival value in documenting
the locations of the holes used in seismic testing. The RRC needs to
retain the seismic well records permanently in its role of regulating
the oil and gas industry and providing a measure of environmental protection
by monitoring and tracking seismic testing. Because the Railroad Commission
is keeping the records permanently, the Archives is not appraising this
series at this time. If this function should be discontinued in the
future and the records no longer retained by the RRC or an agency performing
this function, the Archives will review these files for archival value.
Change the retention period to PM. Add an archival code of R to the
schedule and the following note in the Remarks column: "Records will
be reviewed for archival value by the Library and Archives Commission
if the Railroad Commission decides not to maintain the records permanently."
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Records Series Review
Series Title:
Cathodic wells
Agency: Railroad Commission
Oil and Gas Division - Compliance/Well Plugging, Field Operations, Austin
Headquarters
Contact: Belinda Wolf
Obsolete record series? No
Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: unknown
Agency holdings:
Original paper record retained in the Oil and Gas Division at agency
headquarters. The RRC intends to microfilm the records in the near future.
The retention period for this series is 100 years. Dates covered are
?-[ongoing]. Files comprise XX cubic feet.
Description:
These are letters and attachments sent to the Railroad Commission, and
permits issued concerning the drilling of cathodic wells. Dates covered
are ?-[ongoing]. The letter must include the completion date for each
well, the name and address of the operator, and the drilling permit
and API numbers of the well, if applicable. Attachments include a plat
of the project area identifying the well locations, counties, survey
lines, scale, and northerly direction; and a letter from the Texas Natural
Resources Conservation Commission stating the protection depth or depths
of ground water.
Cathodic protection wells are drilled for the purpose
of installing one or more anodes to prevent corrosion of a facility
associated with the production of oil, gas, or geothermal resources,
such as a well casing, a storage and separation facility, or a pipeline.
When operators drill cathodic wells they have to ensure that the ground
water is protected from contaminants and that the contaminants do not
penetrate the base of usable quality water.
Issuing permits for drilling cathodic protection wells
is regulated by Statewide Rule 99 (16 TAC, §3.99).
The agency maintains the cathodic well files for 100
years in case of problems with contamination of fresh water zones. The
agency would prefer to keep them permanently.
Purpose:
Cathodic wells are drilled in accordance with Statewide Rule 99 (16
TAC, §3.99).
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and conducts
seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees: railroad
safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium, and iron
ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Oil and Gas Division works to prevent the waste of
oil, gas, and geothermal resources and to prevent the pollution of fresh
water from oil and gas operations. The division holds statewide hearings
on market demand and provides for equitable production among operators
by establishing monthly production allowables. It issues drilling permits,
reviews and approves oil and gas well completions, collects data on
oil and gas operations, and promotes public safety. It also protects
underground drinking water through regulation of the underground injection
of fluids in oil field operations, a program approved by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. It oversees
well plugging operations, site remediation, underground hydrocarbon
storage, hazardous waste management; and maintains a large amount of
data on wells - their location, production, etc. The division also investigates
complaints and conducts investigations. This division maintains 10 district
offices where field enforcement and support personnel monitor oil and
gas operations. The commission does not have the authority to set oil
and gas prices at the wellhead. The departments within the Oil and Gas
Division are: Administration, Permitting/Production Services, Information
Management Services, Environmental Services, Compliance, and the Oil
Field Cleanup Operations Unit (including Site Remediation and Special
Response, and Well Plugging).
Arrangement: unknown
Access constraints: None
Use constraints: None
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
No
Problems: None
Known related records in other agencies: None
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission and none were found for this series or for equivalent
or related series.
Publications based on records: None
Series data from agency schedule:
Title: Cathodic wells
Series item number: none
Agency item number: 4.108
Archival code: none
Retention: 100 years
Archival holdings:
None in the holdings of the Archives and Information Services Division
of the Library and Archives Commission.
Texas Documents Collection holdings: None
Gaps: unknown
Appraisal decision:
These files document cathodic wells drilled in the state. The agency
maintains these well files long-term (they want to change that to permanent)
in case of future problems with contamination of the fresh water zone.
Through these files they can track where the wells were located and
when they were plugged. These files are a comprehensive source of data
about cathodic wells. The RRC needs to retain these records permanently
in its role of regulating the oil and gas industry and providing a measure
of environmental protection by monitoring the drilling of cathodic wells.
Because the Railroad Commission is keeping the records permanently,
the Archives is not appraising this series at this time. If this function
should be discontinued in the future and the records no longer retained
by the RRC or an agency performing this function, the Archives will
review these files for archival value. Change the retention period to
PM. Add an archival code of R to the schedule and the following note
in the Remarks column: "Records will be reviewed for archival value
by the Library and Archives Commission if the Railroad Commission decides
not to maintain the records permanently."
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Records Series Review
Series Title:
Wells plugged with state funds
Agency: Railroad Commission
Oil and Gas Division, Compliance/Well plugging, state-funded plugging
Contact: Belinda Wolf
Obsolete record series? No
Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: unknown
Agency holdings:
Original paper record is microfilmed as time permits. Once microfilmed,
the paper record is destroyed. Dates covered are at least 1980 (maybe
earlier)-[ongoing]. Files comprise XX cubic feet. The paper records
and a duplicate of the microfilm are maintained in the Oil and Gas Division
at agency headquarters. Microfilm master is maintained at the State
Records Center. The series has a retention period of 100 years.
Description:
These are reports, inspections, vouchers, plats, and other records concerning
the plugging of wells by the Railroad Commission. Dates covered are
at least 1980 (maybe earlier)-[ongoing]. These files concern wells abandoned
by operators that the RRC must plug to prevent pollution or stop existing
pollution. Data in the files includes contents of the wellbore, depth
or penetration of the well, well location, plugging procedures, costs
to plug the well, bid information, payments (vouchers), inspection information,
previous plugging reports filed, and completion reports by the operator.
The plugging of wells is regulated by Statewide Rule
14 (16 TAC, §3.14 (b)(4)). Section 3.14 (b)(4) covers the plugging
of wells by the state if the operator cannot be located.
The agency is maintaining these records for 100 years
because of environmental concerns and to track when wells were plugged.
Purpose:
Wells are plugged with state funds in accordance with Statewide Rule
14 (16 TAC, §3.14 (b)(4)).
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and conducts
seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees: railroad
safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium, and iron
ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Oil and Gas Division works to prevent the waste of
oil, gas, and geothermal resources and to prevent the pollution of fresh
water from oil and gas operations. The division holds statewide hearings
on market demand and provides for equitable production among operators
by establishing monthly production allowables. It issues drilling permits,
reviews and approves oil and gas well completions, collects data on
oil and gas operations, and promotes public safety. It also protects
underground drinking water through regulation of the underground injection
of fluids in oil field operations, a program approved by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. It oversees
well plugging operations, site remediation, underground hydrocarbon
storage, hazardous waste management; and maintains a large amount of
data on wells - their location, production, etc. The division also investigates
complaints and conducts investigations. This division maintains 10 district
offices where field enforcement and support personnel monitor oil and
gas operations. The commission does not have the authority to set oil
and gas prices at the wellhead. The departments within the Oil and Gas
Division are: Administration, Permitting/Production Services, Information
Management Services, Environmental Services, Compliance, and the Oil
Field Cleanup Operations Unit (including Site Remediation and Special
Response, and Well Plugging).
Arrangement: unknown
Access constraints: None
Use constraints: None
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
No
Problems: None
Known related records in other agencies: None
Previous destructions:
Wells plugged with state funds - two destruction requests were
submitted in March 1690 and January 1991 to destroy paper records dating
1980-1986 after microfilming.
Publications based on records: None
Series data from agency schedule:
Title: Wells plugged with state funds
Series item number: none
Agency item number: 4.111
Archival code: none
Retention: 100 years
Archival holdings:
None in the holdings of the Archives and Information Services Division
of the Library and Archives Commission.
Texas Documents Collection holdings: None
Gaps: Unknown
Appraisal decision:
These files document wells that the state plugged to either prevent
pollution from occurring or to stop existing pollution from the well.
The records have long-term administrative value because of the pollution
potential from unplugged wells. They can be used to track when wells
were plugged. With the thousands of wells in the state, a permanent
record should be kept of their plugging. This series documents wells
the state had to plug because the wells were abandoned by operators.
This series has been appraised to be archival. Add an archival code
of A to the retention schedule. The RRC wants to keep these records
for 100 years to monitor for environmental problems, so the retention
period can remain as is. There are currently no files in the series
eligible for transfer to the Archives.
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Records Series Review
Series Title:
Closed administrative penalty cases
Agency: Railroad Commission
Oil and Gas Division - Compliance/Well Plugging
Contact: Boyd Johnson, Director, Enforcement Section,
Oil and Gas Section, Office of the General Counsel
Obsolete record series? No
Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: 40 cubic ft.
Agency holdings:
Original paper record is microfilmed as time permits. Once microfilmed,
the paper record is destroyed. Dates of the microfilm are 1971-1999.
Paper records are dated 1999-2000. There are 40 cubic feet of paper
records, 234 rolls of microfilm. The paper records and a duplicate of
the microfilm are in the Central Records area of the Oil and Gas Division
at agency headquarters. Microfilm master is maintained at the State
Records Center. The retention period for this series is 100 years.
Description:
These are closed case files containing investigation reports, complaints,
final orders, agreed orders, etc., concerning administrative enforcement
actions undertaken by the Railroad Commission. Dates covered are 1971-[ongoing].
The files concern administrative penalty cases, both penalties issued
by the Railroad Commission and final orders of the Attorney General
when that office was involved. The most common types of cases concern
violations to Statewide Rule 14, that is, failure to produce from a
well or to plug it within a set period of time; or Statewide Rule 8,
the protection of water from oil and gas operations in the state. Other
offenses, such as water pollution, are also subject to penalty. In a
few of the more serious cases technical reports and other data gathered
as part of the investigation may be present. Active case files are maintained
in the Oil and Gas Section of the Office of the General Counsel. The
active files are not currently on the retention schedule but will be
added. Copies of case files that the Texas Attorney General was involved
with should also be present in the Attorney General's Office.
The process documented in these records begins when the
RRC is made aware of a violation by an operator and investigates. If
the violation is substantiated, the Enforcement Section of the Oil and
Gas Section of the General Counsel will write up a complaint, detailing
the violation(s) and what is required of the operator to comply - for
instance, paying a fine. In some cases a hearing is held when the operator
can refute the charges; in some cases a default hearing is held when
the charges are stated and the operator does not appear. If the operator
refuses to comply, the Attorney General will get involved, eventually
issuing a final order of compliance in the case. If the operator is
able to work out a settlement with the RRC, the Commission issues an
agreed order that will detail the terms of compliance. A copy of the
final order or agreed order is also filed in the series Notices and
orders (4.006, 4.007). Exhibits, reports, etc. from the hearings
are in the series Hearing files (4.011, 4.012).
The Railroad Commission has the authority to administer
administrative penalties in accordance with the Texas Natural Resources
Code, Section 81.0531.
The agency retains the administrative penalty case files
for 100 years because of environmental concerns.
Purpose:
These documents are created in the course of administrative enforcement
actions taken by the Railroad Commission as allowed under the Texas
Natural Resources Code, Section 81.0531.
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and conducts
seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees: railroad
safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium, and iron
ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Oil and Gas Division works to prevent the waste of
oil, gas, and geothermal resources and to prevent the pollution of fresh
water from oil and gas operations. The division holds statewide hearings
on market demand and provides for equitable production among operators
by establishing monthly production allowables. It issues drilling permits,
reviews and approves oil and gas well completions, collects data on
oil and gas operations, and promotes public safety. It also protects
underground drinking water through regulation of the underground injection
of fluids in oil field operations, a program approved by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. It oversees
well plugging operations, site remediation, underground hydrocarbon
storage, hazardous waste management; and maintains a large amount of
data on wells - their location, production, etc. The division also investigates
complaints and conducts investigations. This division maintains 10 district
offices where field enforcement and support personnel monitor oil and
gas operations. The commission does not have the authority to set oil
and gas prices at the wellhead. The departments within the Oil and Gas
Division are: Administration, Permitting/Production Services, Information
Management Services, Environmental Services, Compliance, and the Oil
Field Cleanup Operations Unit (including Site Remediation and Special
Response, and Well Plugging).
The Office of the General Counsel is the enforcement
branch of the agency. The Oil and Gas Section holds hearings on matters
dealing with producing, storing, transporting, reclaiming, and processing
oil and gas. It also conducts hearings to determine responsibility for
the proper plugging of abandoned wells and preventing and controlling
oil and gas pollution.
Arrangement: By date, then case number.
Access constraints: None, these cases are all closed.
Use constraints: No
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
An index is available at the agency.
Problems: None
Known related records in other agencies: None
Previous destructions:
Closed administrative penalty cases - several destruction requests
were submitted between May 1990 and March 1698 to destroy paper records
dating 1971-1997 after microfilming.
Publications based on records: None
Series data from agency schedule:
Title: Closed administrative penalty cases
Series item number: none
Agency item number: 4.113
Archival code: none
Retention: 100 years
Archival holdings:
None in the holdings of the Archives and Information Services Division
of the Library and Archives Commission.
Texas Documents Collection holdings: None
Gaps: No records are present in this series prior to
1971.
Appraisal decision:
These cases document enforcement actions of the Railroad Commission
through administrative penalties. The final orders issued are the most
important component of the case file, according to the legal staff.
This series does not have the variety of records found in the series
Hearing files (4.011, 4.012), but does document the investigation
of violations, as well as actions taken by the RRC and the Attorney
General. These are the files of closed cases. Active cases are confidential
until settled. The active case files need to be added to the retention
schedule. The RRC will be maintaining the administrative penalty case
files for 100 years for situations that may involve long-term pollution
issues. The orders are also filed in the Notices and orders series,
providing sufficient archival documentation of these cases. This series
has been appraised to be non-archival. Since this series does not contain
an archival code no changes need to be made to it on the retention schedule.
return to top
Records Series Review
Series Title:
Complaint files/pollution: water well contamination
Agency: Railroad Commission
Oil and Gas Division, Compliance/Well plugging, Field operations, district
offices
Contact: Belinda Wolf
Obsolete record series? No
Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: varies within each district, generally from 0.5
to 3 cubic ft.
Agency holdings:
Paper record is retained in the district offices with copies of some
files in the agency headquarters in Austin. Retention period is AC+5,
but the agency wants to change the retention to permanent. The district
offices maintain the record copy of the complaints and investigations.
Overall dates covered are 1960s-[ongoing]. Dates and holdings of records
in the district offices vary as follows: San Antonio - dates not given,
files comprise less than 4 cubic ft; Houston - 1982-[ongoing], 0.3 cubic
feet; Corpus Christi - 1992-[ongoing], 12 cubic feet; Kilgore - 1999-[ongoing],
75 linear feet; Abilene - water well complaints, no dates given (these
are ongoing), 12 cubic feet and the pollution files, 1998-[ongoing],
20 cubic feet; San Angelo - 1968-[ongoing], about 35 cubic feet; Midland
- 1960s-[ongoing], 80 linear feet; Wichita Falls - 1998-[ongoing] for
pollution files and ca. 1980-[ongoing] for water well files, 5 cubic
feet; District 10 - 1979-[ongoing], four cubic feet. Copies of portions
of selected district files in the state office are dated 1993-[ongoing]
and comprise 25 cubic feet.
Description:
These files contain complaints, investigation reports, correspondence,
photographs, plats, etc. regarding the complaints and investigations
of oil and/or gas polluted sites. Dates covered are 1960s-[ongoing].
Incidents requiring cleanup include ground water or surface pollution
from oil or gas leaks or spills, salt water pollution of ground water,
etc. Some of the investigation files contain extensive studies of water
quality and/or water contamination.
District staff of the Railroad Commission investigate
complaints filed regarding oil and gas pollution. They evaluate the
site and determine what type of cleanup is needed. The operator or company
sends the plans for the cleanup to the RRC for approval. Once approved,
the cleanup begins and is usually undertaken in stages. Large cleanups
can take years. The operator sends status or progress reports to the
RRC. Large cleanups are handled directly through the state office, smaller
cleanups are handled in the district offices. For cleanups undertaken
directly by the state, the cleanup work may be handled by outside consultants
in addition to RRC staff. The district RRC investigators file periodic
reports documenting the cleanup process. Some of the district files
are copied and sent to RRC headquarters in Austin, but not all parts
of the district file are copied. The district offices maintain the record
copy of the complaints and investigations, and of the smaller cleanups
they handle.
See the series D-Forms (Pollution/water well contamination)
(4.118) for district office files of complaint inspections and cleanups.
The D-forms report site cleanup. There are no comprehensive final reports
at either the state or district offices on cleanups. For files on cleanups
undertaken directly by the Railroad Commission, see the series Abandoned
site candidate (4.085). Files concerning the cleanup of sites by
the operators under RRC supervision are in the series Operator/responsible
part cleanup files (4.088).
These files may be involved in litigation. Portions of
the files are exempted from public disclosure when litigation is threatened
or pending. See Texas Government Code, Section 552.022 (1), 552.101,
552.103, 552.107, 551.108, and 552.111.
Although the retention schedule states these compliance
files are to be maintained for only five years after closure of the
case, the RRC district offices have not disposed of any files. The agency
wants to change the retention period to permanent because of the effect
that pollution of the ground water or the surface by oil and gas operations
has on the environment. These files are also extremely important in
tracking the condition of wells and aquifers over a long period of time.
Regulation of oil and gas operations by the Railroad
Commission is governed by 16 TAC, Chapter 3.
Purpose:
The records are created and maintained during investigations undertaken
by the Railroad Commission of sites polluted by oil and gas operations.
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and conducts
seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees: railroad
safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium, and iron
ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Oil and Gas Division works to prevent the waste of
oil, gas, and geothermal resources and to prevent the pollution of fresh
water from oil and gas operations. The division holds statewide hearings
on market demand and provides for equitable production among operators
by establishing monthly production allowables. It issues drilling permits,
reviews and approves oil and gas well completions, collects data on
oil and gas operations, and promotes public safety. It also protects
underground drinking water through regulation of the underground injection
of fluids in oil field operations, a program approved by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. It oversees
well plugging operations, site remediation, underground hydrocarbon
storage, hazardous waste management; and maintains a large amount of
data on wells - their location, production, etc. The division also investigates
complaints and conducts investigations. This division maintains 10 district
offices where field enforcement and support personnel monitor oil and
gas operations. The commission does not have the authority to set oil
and gas prices at the wellhead. The departments within the Oil and Gas
Division are: Administration, Permitting/Production Services, Information
Management Services, Environmental Services, Compliance, and the Oil
Field Cleanup Operations Unit (including Site Remediation and Special
Response, and Well Plugging).
Arrangement: varies by district, as follows: San Antonio
- by county, complainant; Houston - by county, operator; Corpus Christi
- by complainant; Kilgore - by county, operator, lease; Abilene - water
well files by county, property owner and pollution files by operator,
lease name; San Angelo - by county; Midland - by complainant; Wichita
Falls - by county, complaint name; District 10 - by operator, lease.
Copies filed in the state office are arranged by county, operator.
Access constraints:
Yes. These files may be involved in litigation. Portions of the files
are exempted from public disclosure when litigation is threatened or
pending. See Texas Government Code, Section 552.022 (1), 552.101, 552.103,
552.107, 551.108, and 552.111.
Use constraints: Some files are only available in the
district offices.
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
No
Problems: None
Known related records in other agencies: None
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission and none were found for this series or for equivalent
or related series.
Publications based on records: None
Series data from agency schedule:
Title: Complaint files/pollution: water well contamination
Series item number: none
Agency item number: 4.115
Archival code: none
Retention: AC+5
Archival holdings:
None in the holdings of the Archives and Information Services Division
of the Library and Archives Commission.
Texas Documents Collection holdings: None
Gaps: None. According to agency staff, no files have
been discarded.
Appraisal decision:
These compliance files document complaints and investigations of oil
and gas pollution, especially sites polluting the ground water. They
relate directly to three series of cleanup process records. D-Forms
(Pollution/water well contamination) (4.118) are district office
files regarding the complaint inspections and cleanups. For files on
cleanups undertaken directly by the Railroad Commission, see the series
Abandoned site candidate (4.085). Files concerning the cleanup
of sites by the operators under RRC supervision are in the series Operator/responsible
part cleanup files (4.088). All of these files have long-term administrative
value for the agency in carrying on its role of environmental protection.
The reports and studies of water quality/water contamination
in this series are the most important component of the complaint and
investigation files. The studies are extensive. The agency has suggested
creating a separate series for the reports and studies. If implemented,
then the complaint files could stay at AC+5, while the reports and studies
(part of the investigation/inspection process) could have a longer retention
period - the agency says PM. At this point I recommend keeping the series
as one, because the complaints that generated the studies in question
should stay with the studies and reports. The complaints provide details
of the contamination that led to the investigation.
Because of the high environmental concerns with both
the pollution and the thoroughness of the cleanup, the compliance files
have long-term administrative value. The files also have permanent value
because they can be used to track the condition of wells and aquifers
over a long period of time. This series has been appraised to be archival.
Add an archival code of A to the retention schedule. Although the RRC
has stated it wants to change the retention to permanent, a PM retention
at the agency is not warranted. A long retention at the agency is necessary,
say 50 years after the cleanup is completed, then the records need to
be transferred to the Archives and Information Services Division. There
are currently no files in the series eligible for transfer to the Archives.
return to top
Records Series Review
Series Title:
D-Forms (Pollution/water well contamination)
Agency: Railroad Commission
Oil and Gas Division, Compliance/Well plugging, field operations, district
offices
Contact: Belinda Wolf
Obsolete record series? No
Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: varies within each district, generally from 0.5
to 3 cubic ft.
Agency holdings:
Paper record is retained in the district offices with copies of some
files in the agency headquarters in Austin. Retention period is AC+5,
but the agency wants to change the retention to permanent. The district
offices maintain the record copy of the investigations, and of the smaller
cleanups they handle. The state office has copies of some complaints,
investigations, and files of smaller cleanups maintained in the district
offices. Overall dates covered are 1965-[ongoing]. Dates and holdings
of records in the district offices vary as follows: San Antonio - dates
not given, files comprise less than 4 cubic ft; Houston - 1965-[ongoing],
0.3 cubic ft.; Corpus Christi - 1992-[ongoing], 12 cubic ft.; Kilgore
- 1999-[ongoing], 75 linear ft.; Abilene - water well complaints, no
dates given (these are ongoing), pollution files, 1998-[ongoing], 30
cubic ft. for both sets; San Angelo - 1968-[ongoing], about 35 cubic
ft.; Midland - 1995-[ongoing], 160 linear ft.; Wichita Falls - 1995-[ongoing],
16 cubic ft.; District 10 - 1979-[ongoing], 4 cubic ft. Dates are not
given for copies of district files in the state office, these copies
comprise 25 cubic feet.
Description:
These files contain inspection forms (D-forms), reports, correspondence,
plats, photographs, analyses, lab reports, consultant reports, etc.,
concerning cleanups of oil and gas pollution. Dates covered are 1965-[ongoing].
Incidents requiring cleanup include ground water or surface pollution
from oil or gas leaks or spills, salt water pollution of ground water,
etc. The D-forms are reports on site cleanup. There are no comprehensive
final reports by either the state or district offices on cleanups. Some
of the inspection files will contain extensive water quality and contamination
studies.
District staff of the Railroad Commission investigate
complaints filed regarding oil and gas pollution. They evaluate the
site and determine what type of cleanup is needed. The operator or company
sends the plans for the cleanup to the RRC for approval. Once approved,
the cleanup begins and is usually undertaken in stages. Large cleanups
can take years. The operator sends status or progress reports to the
RRC. Large cleanups are handled directly through the state office, smaller
cleanups are handled in the district offices. For cleanups undertaken
directly by the state, the cleanup work may be handled by outside consultants
in addition to RRC staff. The district RRC investigators file periodic
reports documenting the cleanup process. Some of the district files
are copied and sent to RRC headquarters in Austin, but not all parts
of the district file are copied. The district offices maintain the record
copy of the complaints and investigations, and of the smaller cleanups
they handle.
See the series Complaint files/pollution: water well
contamination (4.115) for the complaint and investigation files
in the district offices. See the series Operator/responsible party
cleanup files - re: pending litigation (4.088) for state office
files regarding the cleanup by operators. For files on cleanups undertaken
directly by the Railroad Commission, see the series Abandoned site candidate
(4.085). The series Abandoned site cleanup (4.086) contains bid
procedures, invoices, and other records concerning contracting and paying
for the cleanups done by the state.
These files may be involved in litigation. Portions of
the files are exempted from public disclosure when litigation is threatened
or pending. See Texas Government Code, Section 552.022 (1), 552.101,
552.103, 552.107, 552.108, and 552.111.
Although the retention schedule states these inspections
and reports are to be maintained for only five years after closure of
the case, the RRC district offices have not disposed of any files. The
agency wants to change the retention period to permanent because of
the effect that pollution of the ground water or the surface by oil
and gas operations has on the environment. These files are also extremely
important in tracking the condition of wells and aquifers over a long
period of time.
Regulation of oil and gas operations by the Railroad
Commission is governed by 16 TAC, Chapter 3.
Purpose:
The records are created and maintained during the cleanup of oil and
gas polluted sites by the district staff of the Railroad Commission.
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and conducts
seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees: railroad
safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium, and iron
ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Oil and Gas Division works to prevent the waste of
oil, gas, and geothermal resources and to prevent the pollution of fresh
water from oil and gas operations. The division holds statewide hearings
on market demand and provides for equitable production among operators
by establishing monthly production allowables. It issues drilling permits,
reviews and approves oil and gas well completions, collects data on
oil and gas operations, and promotes public safety. It also protects
underground drinking water through regulation of the underground injection
of fluids in oil field operations, a program approved by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. It oversees
well plugging operations, site remediation, underground hydrocarbon
storage, hazardous waste management; and maintains a large amount of
data on wells - their location, production, etc. The division also investigates
complaints and conducts investigations. This division maintains 10 district
offices where field enforcement and support personnel monitor oil and
gas operations. The commission does not have the authority to set oil
and gas prices at the wellhead. The departments within the Oil and Gas
Division are: Administration, Permitting/Production Services, Information
Management Services, Environmental Services, Compliance, and the Oil
Field Cleanup Operations Unit (including Site Remediation and Special
Response, and Well Plugging).
Arrangement: varies by district, as follows: San Antonio
- by county, operator; Houston - by county, operator; Corpus Christi
- by complainant; Kilgore - by county, operator, lease; Abilene - by
operator, lease; San Angelo - by county; Midland - by operator; Wichita
Falls - by field technician; District 10 - by operator, lease. Copies
filed in the state office are arranged by county, operator.
Access constraints:
Yes. These files may be involved in litigation. Portions of the files
are exempted from public disclosure when litigation is threatened or
pending. See Texas Government Code, Section 552.022 (1), 552.101, 552.103,
552.107, 552.108, and 552.111.
Use constraints: Many of these records are only in the
district offices.
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
No
Problems: None
Known related records in other agencies: None
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission and none were found for this series or for equivalent
or related series.
Publications based on records: None
Series data from agency schedule:
Title: D-Forms (Pollution/water well contamination)
Series item number: none
Agency item number: 4.118
Archival code: none
Retention: AC+5
Archival holdings:
None in the holdings of the Archives and Information Services Division
of the Library and Archives Commission.
Texas Documents Collection holdings: None
Gaps: None, the agency has not disposed of any files.
Appraisal decision:
These inspection files and reports document cleanups of oil and gas
pollution, especially sites polluting the ground water. They relate
directly to two other series of records that discuss the cleanup process:
for files on cleanups undertaken directly by the Railroad Commission,
see the series Abandoned site candidate (4.085); files concerning
the cleanup of sites by the operators under RRC supervision are in the
series Operator/responsible part cleanup files (4.088). And,
the inspection files and reports are related to the complaint and investigation
files - Complaint files/pollution: water well contamination (4.115).
All of these series have long-term administrative value for the agency
in carrying on its role of environmental protection. The reports and
studies in this series under discussion and the complaint files series
are an important component of these files due to the extensive studies
undertaken on the water quality/water contamination. The agency has
suggested creating a separate series for the reports and studies done
as part of the investigation/inspection process. At this point I recommend
keeping the series as one, because the complaints that generated the
studies in question should stay with the studies and reports. The complaints
provide details of the contamination that led to the investigation.
There is other data of value in these cleanup files - the D-forms report
on what was done during the cleanup process. Also, there are no comprehensive
final reports done by either the state or district offices on cleanups.
Because of the high environmental concerns with both
the pollution and the thoroughness of the cleanup, these files have
long-term administrative value documenting cleanups of pollutants. The
files also have permanent value because they can be used to track the
condition of wells and aquifers over a long period of time. This series
has been appraised to be archival. Add an archival code of A to the
retention schedule. Although the RRC has stated it wants to change the
retention to permanent, a PM retention at the agency is not warranted.
A long retention at the agency is necessary, say 50 years after the
cleanup is completed, then the records need to be transferred to the
Archives and Information Services Division. There are currently no files
in the series eligible for transfer to the Archives.
return to top
Records Series Review
Series Title:
Plats
Agency: Railroad Commission of Texas
Oil and Gas Division
Contact: Elsa Bosque
Obsolete record series? Yes
Replaced by: none
Ongoing record series? No
Agency holdings:
Retained in the Central Records area of the Oil and Gas Division at
agency headquarters. Records are dated ca. 1940-ca. 1955 and comprise
29 cubic feet.
Description:
These are plats of oil and gas leases and survey maps showing oil, gas,
and water well locations, oil/gas lease and field boundaries, land and
lease owners, cities, towns, rivers, and creeks. Dates covered are ca.
1940-ca. 1955. The maps often contain notes about the wells. Some maps
are accompanied by correspondence about the leases or have affidavits
attached. Most of the maps were drawn by local surveyors and cover specific
leases. Size of the leases vary - a lease may cover several counties
or a small part of one county. Most of the maps are legal size, a few
are larger. These plats and maps were not done by the RRC but sent to
them by operators with various other records, such as applications for
permits. The RRC retained these plats and maps as a source of well data
and related information.
Well location data is also available in the series Maps:
paper. However, the RRC has not researched all of these plats to
extract data and it does not intend to do any further research in these
files. The plats could contain some well data or related information
not found in the series Maps: paper.
Purpose:
The maps and plats were submitted to the RRC by operators and maintained
by the Commission because of information about oil and gas wells in
the state.
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and conducts
seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees: railroad
safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium, and iron
ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Oil and Gas Division works to prevent the waste of
oil, gas, and geothermal resources and to prevent the pollution of fresh
water from oil and gas operations. The division holds statewide hearings
on market demand and provides for equitable production among operators
by establishing monthly production allowables. It issues drilling permits,
reviews and approves oil and gas well completions, collects data on
oil and gas operations, and promotes public safety. It also protects
underground drinking water through regulation of the underground injection
of fluids in oil field operations, a program approved by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. It oversees
well plugging operations, site remediation, underground hydrocarbon
storage, hazardous waste management; and maintains a large amount of
data on wells - their location, production, etc. The division also investigates
complaints and conducts investigations. This division maintains 10 district
offices where field enforcement and support personnel monitor oil and
gas operations. The commission does not have the authority to set oil
and gas prices at the wellhead. The departments within the Oil and Gas
Division are: Administration, Permitting/Production Services, Information
Management Services, Environmental Services, Compliance, and the Oil
Field Cleanup Operations Unit (including Site Remediation and Special
Response, and Well Plugging).
Arrangement: Roughly topical by county, then by field,
then by operator.
Access constraints: None
Use constraints: None
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
No
Problems: None
Known related records in other agencies: None
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission and none were found for this series or for equivalent
or related series.
Publications based on records: None
Series data from agency schedule: Not on the schedule,
this is a defunct series.
Archival holdings:
We have related oil and gas maps in the James Holdeman Collection,
a manuscript collection of oil and gas maps and plats from the early-mid
20th century, covering various parts of Texas.
Texas Documents Collection holdings: None
Gaps: None known - this is a collection of plats gathered
by the RRC not created by them.
Appraisal decision:
This is a unique source providing information about oil, gas, and water
wells in the state. Some well data is available in the series Maps:
paper, a series intended for eventual transfer to the Archives.
But, since the RRC has not had the time nor manpower to research every
plat in this series to determine if all the significant well data is
available in the series Maps:paper, these plats need to be retained
to provide full documentation of the well data. Also, there is value
in the information found on the plats besides oil and gas data, such
as ownership information. The Archives gets several requests a year
for maps showing land owners and we have very few. These plats would
help to fill that gap. This series has been appraised to be archival.
The boxes can be transferred to the Archives and Information Services
Division at the RRC's earliest convenience.
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Records Series Review
Series Title:
Orders
Agency: Railroad Commission of Texas
Oil and Gas Division
Contact: Elsa Bosque
Obsolete record series? No
Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: None, the orders described here were separated
from similar records years ago.
Agency holdings:
Retained in the Central Records area of the Oil and Gas Division at
agency headquarters. Records are dated 1935-1948 and comprise two cubic
feet.
Description:
The records are orders issued by the Railroad Commission concerning
pressure maintenance, gas storage, and vacuum hearings, dating 1935-1948.
These orders are likely part of the series Notices and orders,
that contains orders for all hearings involving the Oil and Gas Division.
A related series of old records described in the appraisal
report contains hearing files for the vacuum applications, see the series
Vacuum hearing files.
Purpose:
Original orders are issued by the Railroad Commission to govern the
drilling, completion and operation of wells in the field.
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and conducts
seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees: railroad
safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium, and iron
ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Oil and Gas Division works to prevent the waste of
oil, gas, and geothermal resources and to prevent the pollution of fresh
water from oil and gas operations. The division holds statewide hearings
on market demand and provides for equitable production among operators
by establishing monthly production allowables. It issues drilling permits,
reviews and approves oil and gas well completions, collects data on
oil and gas operations, and promotes public safety. It also protects
underground drinking water through regulation of the underground injection
of fluids in oil field operations, a program approved by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. It oversees
well plugging operations, site remediation, underground hydrocarbon
storage, hazardous waste management; and maintains a large amount of
data on wells - their location, production, etc. The division also investigates
complaints and conducts investigations. This division maintains 10 district
offices where field enforcement and support personnel monitor oil and
gas operations. The commission does not have the authority to set oil
and gas prices at the wellhead. The departments within the Oil and Gas
Division are: Administration, Permitting/Production Services, Information
Management Services, Environmental Services, Compliance, and the Oil
Field Cleanup Operations Unit (including Site Remediation and Special
Response, and Well Plugging).
Arrangement: Chronological by year, then docket number.
Access constraints: None
Use constraints: None
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
No
Problems:
These orders were removed from the series Notices and orders
at sometime in the past. Reasons for removal are unknown.
Known related records in other agencies: None
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission and none were found for this series or for equivalent
or related series.
Publications based on records: None
Series data from agency schedule:
Title: Notices and orders - paper
Series item number: none
Agency item number: 4.006
Archival code: none
Retention: PM
Title: Notices and orders - microfilm
Series item number: none
Agency item number: 4.007
Archival code: none
Retention: 100
Archival holdings:
Original orders, 1928-1977, 49 linear ft.
Records present in this series include notices of hearings, original
orders, and special emergency rules, dating 1928-1977. Original orders
were issued by the Oil and Gas Division to govern the drilling of oil
and gas wells and the operation of the fields.
Texas Documents Collection holdings: None
Gaps: These orders cover only a few types of hearings
and are present only for the years 1935-1948.
Appraisal decision:
Orders are a summary record of RRC decisions in oil and gas hearings.
Some cases involve serious environmental issues and legal production
issues and need to be retained. At some point in the past the orders
in this series were separated from the main series, Notices and orders.
The orders described in this series review are limited in scope, covering
pressure maintenance, gas storage, and vacuum hearings between 1935
and 1948. While these orders are narrow in scope, they belong with the
larger series of orders. (They may be duplicated in that series, but
probably not.) We have appraised the series Notices and orders
as archival. This series of orders is appraised archival as well. Since
the Archives already has the original paper notices and orders dating
1928-1977, these orders should be transferred to the Archives. The RRC
may wish to microfilm the orders first, as they likely have not been
filmed. They can be transferred after filming is completed.
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Records Series Review
Series Title:
Hearing files re: exceptions to Statewide Rule 21
Agency: Railroad Commission of Texas
Oil and Gas Division
Contact: Elsa Bosque
Obsolete record series? No
Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: None, the records described here were separated
from similar
records years ago.
Agency holdings:
Retained in the Central Records area of the Oil and Gas Division at
agency headquarters. Files are dated ca. 1938 and comprise about 0.5
cubic feet.
Description:
These are files from RRC hearings concerning conservation and fire prevention
re: crude oil petroleum and natural gas, dating ca. 1938. Materials
present include applications, correspondence re: proposed special orders,
notes, exhibits (maps, lists of operators, production data, etc.), notices,
and correspondence from the Oil and Gas Division to applicants. Most,
if not all, of the applications are requesting exceptions to Statewide
Rule 21. These files are part of the series Hearing files, removed
years ago for unknown reasons.
Statewide Rule 21 concerns fire prevention and swabbing
(16 TAC, §3.21).
Purpose:
Hearing files contain some of the records (exhibits, notes, etc.) from
hearings held by the agency to govern the drilling, completion and operation
of wells in the field.
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and conducts
seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees: railroad
safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium, and iron
ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Oil and Gas Division works to prevent the waste of
oil, gas, and geothermal resources and to prevent the pollution of fresh
water from oil and gas operations. The division holds statewide hearings
on market demand and provides for equitable production among operators
by establishing monthly production allowables. It issues drilling permits,
reviews and approves oil and gas well completions, collects data on
oil and gas operations, and promotes public safety. It also protects
underground drinking water through regulation of the underground injection
of fluids in oil field operations, a program approved by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. It oversees
well plugging operations, site remediation, underground hydrocarbon
storage, hazardous waste management; and maintains a large amount of
data on wells - their location, production, etc. The division also investigates
complaints and conducts investigations. This division maintains 10 district
offices where field enforcement and support personnel monitor oil and
gas operations. The commission does not have the authority to set oil
and gas prices at the wellhead. The departments within the Oil and Gas
Division are: Administration, Permitting/Production Services, Information
Management Services, Environmental Services, Compliance, and the Oil
Field Cleanup Operations Unit (including Site Remediation and Special
Response, and Well Plugging).
Arrangement: By case number
Access constraints: None
Use constraints: None
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
No
Problems:
These files were removed from the series Hearing files sometime
in the past, possibly because of the type of case; actual reason for
removal is unknown.
Known related records in other agencies: None
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission and none were found for this series or for equivalent
or related series.
Publications based on records: None
Series data from agency schedule:
Title: Hearing files
Series item number: none
Agency item number: 4.011
Archival code: none
Retention: PM
Archival holdings:
None in the holdings of the Archives and Information Services of the
Library and Archives Commission.
Texas Documents Collection holdings: None
Gaps: Most, if not all, of the files cover a specific
type of hearing (re: statewide rule 21) and are only present ca. 1938.
Appraisal decision:
These are exhibits, notes, etc. from hearings that could shed some light
on the cases involved. The files are used administratively for other
reasons by the RRC. According to the agency, engineers use the data
submitted as exhibits by operators, such as reserve estimates, ideas
for development, and calculated depletion rates, along with the production
records (see series Oil and gas production reports (4.017)) and
the well potential information (see series Oil and gas potential
files (4.015)) to create a more accurate picture of reserves. The
engineers will also use other hearing records, such as seismic data,
plats and maps, and logs to help determine oil and gas reserves. These
records have value as evidence presented in a hearing and are administratively
valuable to RRC engineers in determining oil and gas reserves.
At some point in the past the hearing files described
in this series review were separated from the main series Hearing
files. The hearing files described here primarily concern one type
of case - exceptions to Statewide Rule 21. While the coverage of these
hearing files is narrow in scope, the files document this particular
type of case (conservation and fire prevention, Rule 21) that may not
be covered in the Hearing files during this time period. We have
appraised the series Hearing files as archival. This series, Hearing
files - Statewide Rule 21 is appraised archival as well. Since these
files have been long separated from the hearing files, if it wishes,
the RRC can transfer them now to the Archives and Information Services
Division. If the RRC would rather retain these Rule 21 hearing files
with the larger series of hearing files they can be transferred to the
Archives with the rest of the hearing files when those files cease having
administrative value.
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Records Series Review
Series Title:
Hearing files - Yates and Diamond "M" Unit
Agency: Railroad Commission of Texas
Oil and Gas Division
Contact: Elsa Bosque
Obsolete record series? No
Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: None, the records described here were separated
from similar records years ago.
Agency holdings:
Retained in the Central Records area of the Oil and Gas Division at
agency headquarters. Files are dated 1936-1938 and 1954-1957, totaling
one cubic foot.
Description:
These are exhibits and court documents used in a RRC hearing involving
the Yates and Diamond "M" Unit, dating 1936-1938; and monthly reports
from the Lion Diamond "M" Unit, dating 1954-1957. The Yates case concerns
the prevention of waste in the Yates field in Pecos County and was filed
in 1934. The RRC was considering whether or not existing rules, regulations,
and orders adapted for the prevention of waste should be revoked, continued
in full force, or amended for this case. A copy of the original filing
was not located in these files. Documents present include exhibits,
correspondence, memorandum, briefs, orders, testimony, well data, maps,
minutes of a Yates Pool Engineers Committee meeting, tests on wells,
and a report by the RRC's Oil and Gas Division to determine if the wells
in the Yates Pool were being produced ratably. These files are part
of the series Hearing files, removed years ago for unknown reasons.
The monthly reports dating 1954-1957 concern production
in the Lion Diamond "M" Unit and contain production statistics, well
tests, data re: water injection and gas injection systems, workover
and remedial work, a well status map, etc.
Regulation of oil and gas operations by the Railroad
Commission is governed by 16 TAC, Chapter 3.
Purpose:
Hearing files contain some of the records (exhibits, notes, etc.) from
hearings held by the agency to govern the drilling, completion and operation
of wells in the field. The records in the Yates case document legal
issues surrounding the prevention of waste in the Yates field in Pecos
County.
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and conducts
seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees: railroad
safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium, and iron
ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Oil and Gas Division works to prevent the waste of
oil, gas, and geothermal resources and to prevent the pollution of fresh
water from oil and gas operations. The division holds statewide hearings
on market demand and provides for equitable production among operators
by establishing monthly production allowables. It issues drilling permits,
reviews and approves oil and gas well completions, collects data on
oil and gas operations, and promotes public safety. It also protects
underground drinking water through regulation of the underground injection
of fluids in oil field operations, a program approved by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. It oversees
well plugging operations, site remediation, underground hydrocarbon
storage, hazardous waste management; and maintains a large amount of
data on wells - their location, production, etc. The division also investigates
complaints and conducts investigations. This division maintains 10 district
offices where field enforcement and support personnel monitor oil and
gas operations. The commission does not have the authority to set oil
and gas prices at the wellhead. The departments within the Oil and Gas
Division are: Administration, Permitting/Production Services, Information
Management Services, Environmental Services, Compliance, and the Oil
Field Cleanup Operations Unit (including Site Remediation and Special
Response, and Well Plugging).
Arrangement: By type of record
Access constraints: None
Use constraints: None
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
No
Problems:
These files were removed from the series Hearing files sometime
in the past, possibly because of the type of case, actual reason for
removal is unknown. Although both sets of records concern the Diamond
"M" Unit, the relationship between the two sets of records is not clear.
Known related records in other agencies: None
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission and none were found for this series or for equivalent
or related series.
Publications based on records: None
Series data from agency schedule:
Title: Hearing files
Series item number: none
Agency item number: 4.011
Archival code: none
Retention: PM
Archival holdings:
There are no RRC hearing files at the Archives. The Archives does have
several litigation case files in the records of the Attorney General
concerning the Yates case and/or the Yates Field in the series Litigation
files, 1880-1948 (bulk 1902-1940), 89 cubic ft.
Texas Documents Collection holdings: None
Gaps: Hearing files are present only for 1936-1938, monthly
reports cover just the years 1954-1957.
Appraisal decision:
These are exhibits, notes, etc. from a hearing regarding a particular
case. Hearing files shed light on the cases involved. The files are
used administratively for other reasons by the RRC. According to the
agency, engineers use the data submitted as exhibits by operators, such
as reserve estimates, ideas for development, and calculated depletion
rates, along with the production records (see series Oil and gas
production reports (4.017)) and the well potential information (see
series Oil and gas potential files (4.015)) to create a more
accurate picture of reserves. The engineers will also use other hearing
records, such as seismic data, plats and maps, and logs to help determine
oil and gas reserves. These records have value both as evidence presented
in a hearing and to RRC engineers in determining oil and gas reserves.
At some point in the past the files for this hearing were separated
from the main series Hearing files. The hearing files in this series
under discussion concern just the Yates and Diamond "M" case in 1936-1938,
and include reports from the unit dating 1954-1957. There is still interest
in the case. The Archives has litigation files involving the case from
the Attorney General's Office and the litigation files have been used
by researchers. The Yates and Diamond "M" files belong with the larger
series of hearing files. We have appraised the series Hearing files
as archival. This series, Hearing files - Yates and Diamond "M" Unit
is appraised archival as well. Since these files have been long separated
from the hearing files, if it wishes, the RRC can transfer them now
to the Archives and Information Services Division. If the RRC would
rather retain the Yates hearing files with the larger series of hearing
files the files can be transferred to the Archives with the rest of
the hearing files when those files cease having administrative value.
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Records Series Review
Series Title:
Miscellaneous hearing files
Agency: Railroad Commission of Texas
Oil and Gas Division
Contact: Elsa Bosque
Obsolete record series? No
Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: None, the records described here were separated
from similar records years ago.
Agency holdings:
Retained in the Central Records area of the Oil and Gas Division at
agency headquarters. Files are dated 1935, 1938-1943, 1946-1948 and
comprise two cubic feet.
Description:
These are hearing files, containing briefs, correspondence, notices,
RRC orders, court orders, affidavits, notes, memoranda, exhibits, maps,
and judgements. Dates covered are 1935, 1938-1943, 1946-1948. Correspondents
include RRC staff, Commissioners, litigants, and attorneys. Types of
cases filed include transfer of oil to different refineries, release
of frozen stock, and illegal crude oil production. These files are part
of the series Hearing files, removed years ago for unknown reasons.
Regulation of oil and gas operations by the Railroad
Commission is governed by 16 TAC, Chapter 3.
Purpose:
Hearing files contain some of the records (exhibits, notes, etc.) from
hearings held by the agency to govern the drilling, completion and operation
of wells in the field.
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and conducts
seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees: railroad
safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium, and iron
ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Oil and Gas Division works to prevent the waste of
oil, gas, and geothermal resources and to prevent the pollution of fresh
water from oil and gas operations. The division holds statewide hearings
on market demand and provides for equitable production among operators
by establishing monthly production allowables. It issues drilling permits,
reviews and approves oil and gas well completions, collects data on
oil and gas operations, and promotes public safety. It also protects
underground drinking water through regulation of the underground injection
of fluids in oil field operations, a program approved by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. It oversees
well plugging operations, site remediation, underground hydrocarbon
storage, hazardous waste management; and maintains a large amount of
data on wells - their location, production, etc. The division also investigates
complaints and conducts investigations. This division maintains 10 district
offices where field enforcement and support personnel monitor oil and
gas operations. The commission does not have the authority to set oil
and gas prices at the wellhead. The departments within the Oil and Gas
Division are: Administration, Permitting/Production Services, Information
Management Services, Environmental Services, Compliance, and the Oil
Field Cleanup Operations Unit (including Site Remediation and Special
Response, and Well Plugging).
Arrangement: Topical by case
Access constraints: None
Use constraints: None
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
No
Problems:
These files were removed from the series Hearing files sometime
in the past; actual reason for removal is unknown.
Known related records in other agencies: None
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission and none were found for this series or for equivalent
or related series.
Publications based on records: None
Series data from agency schedule:
Title: Hearing files
Series item number: none
Agency item number: 4.011
Archival code: none
Retention: PM
Archival holdings:
None in the holdings of the Archives and Information Services of the
Library and Archives Commission.
Texas Documents Collection holdings: None
Gaps: Records in this series are only present for 1935,
1938-1943, and 1946-1948.
Appraisal decision:
These are exhibits, notes, etc. from hearings that could shed some light
on the cases involved. The files are used administratively for other
reasons by the RRC. According to the agency, engineers use the data
submitted as exhibits by operators, such as reserve estimates, ideas
for development, and calculated depletion rates, along with the production
records (see series Oil and gas production reports (4.017)) and
the well potential information (see series Oil and gas potential
files (4.015)) to create a more accurate picture of reserves. The
engineers will also use other hearing records, such as seismic data,
plats and maps, and logs to help determine oil and gas reserves. These
hearing records have value as evidence presented in a hearing and to
RRC engineers in determining oil and gas reserves.
At some point in the past the hearing files described in this series
review were separated from the main series Hearing files. The hearing
files described here cover several types of cases; why they were segregated
from the larger series is unknown. We have appraised the series Hearing
files as archival. This series, Miscellaneous hearing files,
is appraised archival as well. Since these files have been long separated
from the hearing files, if it wishes, the RRC can transfer them now
to the Archives and Information Services Division. If the RRC would
rather retain these particular hearing files with the larger series
of hearing files they can be transferred to the Archives with the rest
of the hearing files when those files cease having administrative value.
return to top
Records Series Review
Series Title:
Hearings, Panhandle Field
Agency: Railroad Commission of Texas
Oil and Gas Division
Contact: Elsa Bosque
Obsolete record series? No
Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: None, the records described here were separated
from similar records years ago.
Agency holdings:
Retained in the Central Records area of the Oil and Gas Division at
agency headquarters. Records date prior to 1940 and comprise two cubic
feet.
Description:
These are files from RRC hearings involving the Panhandle Field, dating
prior to 1940. Records present include exhibits and correspondence about
the hearings. These files are part of the series Hearing files,
removed years ago for unknown reasons.
Regulation of oil and gas operations by the Railroad
Commission is governed by 16 TAC, Chapter 3.
Purpose:
Hearing files contain some of the records (exhibits, notes, etc.) from
hearings held by the agency to govern the drilling, completion and operation
of wells in the field. These document hearings concerning only the Panhandle
Field.
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and conducts
seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees: railroad
safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium, and iron
ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Oil and Gas Division works to prevent the waste of
oil, gas, and geothermal resources and to prevent the pollution of fresh
water from oil and gas operations. The division holds statewide hearings
on market demand and provides for equitable production among operators
by establishing monthly production allowables. It issues drilling permits,
reviews and approves oil and gas well completions, collects data on
oil and gas operations, and promotes public safety. It also protects
underground drinking water through regulation of the underground injection
of fluids in oil field operations, a program approved by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. It oversees
well plugging operations, site remediation, underground hydrocarbon
storage, hazardous waste management; and maintains a large amount of
data on wells - their location, production, etc. The division also investigates
complaints and conducts investigations. This division maintains 10 district
offices where field enforcement and support personnel monitor oil and
gas operations. The commission does not have the authority to set oil
and gas prices at the wellhead. The departments within the Oil and Gas
Division are: Administration, Permitting/Production Services, Information
Management Services, Environmental Services, Compliance, and the Oil
Field Cleanup Operations Unit (including Site Remediation and Special
Response, and Well Plugging).
Arrangement: Topical by case
Access constraints: None
Use constraints: None
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
No
Problems:
These files were removed from the series Hearing files sometime
in the past; actual reason for removal is unknown.
Known related records in other agencies: None
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission and none were found for this series or for equivalent
or related series.
Publications based on records: None
Series data from agency schedule:
Title: Hearing files
Series item number: none
Agency item number: 4.011
Archival code: none
Retention: PM
Archival holdings:
None in the holdings of the Archives and Information Services of the
Library and Archives Commission.
Texas Documents Collection holdings: None
Gaps: Files in this series cover only hearings re: the
Panhandle Field and are present for years just prior to 1940; exact
dates are not known.
Appraisal decision:
These are exhibits, notes, etc. from hearings that could shed some light
on the cases involved. The files are used administratively for other
reasons by the RRC. According to the agency, engineers use the data
submitted as exhibits by operators, such as reserve estimates, ideas
for development, and calculated depletion rates, along with the production
records (see series Oil and gas production reports (4.017)) and
the well potential information (see series Oil and gas potential
files (4.015)) to create a more accurate picture of reserves. The
engineers will also use other hearing records, such as seismic data,
plats and maps, and logs to help determine oil and gas reserves. These
records have value as evidence presented in a hearing and to RRC engineers
in determining oil and gas reserves.
At some point in the past the hearing files described in this series
review were separated from the main series Hearing files. The hearing
files described here cover only cases involving the Panhandle Field,
during a very early period in oil production, the 1930s. Why the files
were segregated from the larger series is unknown. We have appraised
the series Hearing files as archival. This series, Hearing
files, Panhandle Field is appraised archival as well. Since these
files have been long separated from the hearing files, if it wishes,
the RRC can transfer them now to the Archives and Information Services
Division. If the RRC would rather retain these particular hearing files
with the larger series of hearing files, they can be transferred to
the Archives with the rest of the hearing files when those files cease
having administrative value.
return to top
Records Series Review
Series Title:
State Tender Board hearing
Agency: Railroad Commission of Texas
Oil and Gas Division
Contact: Elsa Bosque
Obsolete record series? Yes
Replace by: none known
Ongoing record series? No
Agency holdings:
Retained in the Central Records area of the Oil and Gas Division at
agency headquarters. Files are dated 1935 and comprise about 0.5 cubic
feet.
Description:
These are hearing files from a State Tender Board hearing in 1935. Records
present include testimony, exhibits, affidavits, statements of fact,
organization reports, charter reports, federal reports, and correspondence.
Regulation of oil and gas operations by the Railroad
Commission is governed by 16 TAC, Chapter 3.
Purpose:
Hearing files contain some of the records (exhibits, testimony, etc.)
from hearings held by the State Tender Board to monitor the movement
of oil in Texas.
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and conducts
seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees: railroad
safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium, and iron
ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Oil and Gas Division works to prevent the waste of
oil, gas, and geothermal resources and to prevent the pollution of fresh
water from oil and gas operations. The division holds statewide hearings
on market demand and provides for equitable production among operators
by establishing monthly production allowables. It issues drilling permits,
reviews and approves oil and gas well completions, collects data on
oil and gas operations, and promotes public safety. It also protects
underground drinking water through regulation of the underground injection
of fluids in oil field operations, a program approved by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. It oversees
well plugging operations, site remediation, underground hydrocarbon
storage, hazardous waste management; and maintains a large amount of
data on wells - their location, production, etc. The division also investigates
complaints and conducts investigations. This division maintains 10 district
offices where field enforcement and support personnel monitor oil and
gas operations. The commission does not have the authority to set oil
and gas prices at the wellhead. The departments within the Oil and Gas
Division are: Administration, Permitting/Production Services, Information
Management Services, Environmental Services, Compliance, and the Oil
Field Cleanup Operations Unit (including Site Remediation and Special
Response, and Well Plugging).
The State Tender Board was part of the Oil and Gas Division's
Pipe Line, Refining and Tender Section. This section was set up to control
the movement of oil from the time it was produced until it was consumed
in Texas, or until exported from Texas as crude oil or a refined product.
The movements were checked by means of tender bids that were approved
and numbered in district offices. The section made weekly reports of
stocks of crude oil and petroleum products and monthly estimates of
empty storage facilities for petroleum in Texas. The State Tender Board
conducted hearings on a variety of matters, including requests to operate
a pipeline, requests to operate a treating plant, name changes of companies,
changing officers in a company, requests to clean storage tanks, and
requests to approve tender offers between companies for movement of
oil.
Arrangement: By type of record
Access constraints: None
Use constraints: None
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
No
Problems: None
Known related records in other agencies: None
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission and none were found for this series or for equivalent
or related series.
Publications based on records: None
Series data from agency schedule: None, series is not
on the schedule.
Archival holdings:
State Tender Board, transcripts of testimony, 1939-1943, 1.25 linear
ft.
Records present in this series consist of transcripts of testimony at
hearings held by the State Tender Board to monitor the movement of oil
in Texas. Dates covered are 1939-1943.
Texas Documents Collection holdings: None
Gaps: Files only document one hearing held in 1935.
Appraisal decision:
The State Tender Board was a part of a section of the Oil and Gas Division
whose purpose was to monitor the movement of oil in Texas. While this
is a fairly specific topic, it seems to be the Commission's only record
of the State Tender Board. Transcripts of hearings of this board covering
1939-1943 were transferred to the Archives many years ago. State Tender
Board hearings are not part of the series Hearing files. It is
likely all the former hearing files of that Board were included in the
previous transfer to the Archives. The Appraisal Committee feels we
have sufficient coverage of the State Tender Board in records previously
received. This series has been appraised as non-archival and is not
to be transferred to the Archives. If the RRC wishes to destroy the
records, a "Request for Authority to Dispose of State Records" (Form
RMD 102) must be submitted and receive approval. If the agency decides
to retain the described records, the series must be added to the agency's
records retention schedule.
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Records Series Review
Series Title:
Statewide hearing summary
Agency: Railroad Commission of Texas
Oil and Gas Division
Contact: Elsa Bosque
Obsolete record series? Yes
Replaced by: unknown if it was replaced
Ongoing record series? No
Agency holdings:
Retained in the Central Records area of the Oil and Gas Division at
agency headquarters. The records are dated in 1937 and consist of about
0.25 cubic feet.
Description:
This is a typescript of a summary of a statewide hearing held before
the Railroad Commission in 1937, in Austin, concerning oil production.
Purpose:
This summarizes a statewide hearing on oil production held in 1937.
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and conducts
seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees: railroad
safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium, and iron
ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Oil and Gas Division works to prevent the waste of
oil, gas, and geothermal resources and to prevent the pollution of fresh
water from oil and gas operations. The division holds statewide hearings
on market demand and provides for equitable production among operators
by establishing monthly production allowables. It issues drilling permits,
reviews and approves oil and gas well completions, collects data on
oil and gas operations, and promotes public safety. It also protects
underground drinking water through regulation of the underground injection
of fluids in oil field operations, a program approved by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. It oversees
well plugging operations, site remediation, underground hydrocarbon
storage, hazardous waste management; and maintains a large amount of
data on wells - their location, production, etc. The division also investigates
complaints and conducts investigations. This division maintains 10 district
offices where field enforcement and support personnel monitor oil and
gas operations. The commission does not have the authority to set oil
and gas prices at the wellhead. The departments within the Oil and Gas
Division are: Administration, Permitting/Production Services, Information
Management Services, Environmental Services, Compliance, and the Oil
Field Cleanup Operations Unit (including Site Remediation and Special
Response, and Well Plugging).
Arrangement: N/A - single item
Access constraints: None
Use constraints: None
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
No
Problems: None
Known related records in other agencies: None known
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission and none were found for this series or for equivalent
or related series.
Publications based on records: None
Series data from agency schedule: None, this series is
not on the schedule. Since this is a typescript of a summary of statewide
hearing rather than a transcript of a hearing, it would not be considered
to be part of the series Transcripts.
Archival holdings:
None in the holdings of the Archives and Information Services of the
Library and Archives Commission.
Texas Documents Collection holdings: None
Gaps: It is unknown if transcript summaries of other hearings
exist or if this was the only occurrence.
Appraisal decision:
This is a summary of a statewide hearing held by the RRC in 1937 concerning
oil production. Little is known about this hearing outside of the topic
covered. Governing oil production in the 1930s was a major function
of the RRC, especially since production limits were slowly being imposed
in the big oil fields during this period. It is possible, even likely,
that a transcript from this hearing is in the series Transcripts.
But, we do not know, and we have appraised the series Transcripts
as non-archival. This statewide hearing summary has evidentiary value
as a record of the hearing, and some historical value because of the
topic covered. It has been appraised to be archival. It can be transferred
to the Archives and Information Services Division at the RRC's earliest
convenience.
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Records Series Review
Series Title:
Survey of salt water disposal
Agency: Railroad Commission of Texas
Oil and Gas Division
Contact: Elsa Bosque
Obsolete record series? Yes
Replaced by: none known
Ongoing record series? No
Agency holdings:
Retained in the Central Records area of the Oil and Gas Division at
agency headquarters. Files are dated 1957 and consist of 16 cubic feet.
Description:
These are questionnaire responses from oil and gas operators re: salt
water production and disposal on oil and gas leases, dating 1957. The
questionnaires contain the RRC district number, county, field, company
reports, lease name and number, total number of barrels of salt water
produced by the lease, method of disposal of salt water, whether salt
water was allowed to spill into water courses, and if so, which watershed
received the salt water. A report summarizing this data was not located
within these files or library catalogues. It is unknown if a report
was produced.
The survey was undertaken by the Railroad Commission
at the request of the Attorney General to determine how much salt water,
through oil and gas production, was being discharged into the fresh
waters of the state. Participation by all oil and gas operators in the
state was mandatory.
Purpose:
To determine the extent of fresh water polluted by the release of salt
water produced during oil and gas operations into fresh water watersheds.
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and conducts
seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees: railroad
safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium, and iron
ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Oil and Gas Division works to prevent the waste of
oil, gas, and geothermal resources and to prevent the pollution of fresh
water from oil and gas operations. The division holds statewide hearings
on market demand and provides for equitable production among operators
by establishing monthly production allowables. It issues drilling permits,
reviews and approves oil and gas well completions, collects data on
oil and gas operations, and promotes public safety. It also protects
underground drinking water through regulation of the underground injection
of fluids in oil field operations, a program approved by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. It oversees
well plugging operations, site remediation, underground hydrocarbon
storage, hazardous waste management; and maintains a large amount of
data on wells - their location, production, etc. The division also investigates
complaints and conducts investigations. This division maintains 10 district
offices where field enforcement and support personnel monitor oil and
gas operations. The commission does not have the authority to set oil
and gas prices at the wellhead. The departments within the Oil and Gas
Division are: Administration, Permitting/Production Services, Information
Management Services, Environmental Services, Compliance, and the Oil
Field Cleanup Operations Unit (including Site Remediation and Special
Response, and Well Plugging).
Arrangement: Alphabetical by county.
Access constraints: None
Use constraints: None
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
No
Problems: None
Known related records in other agencies: None known.
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission and none were found for this series or for equivalent
or related series.
Publications based on records: None known.
Series data from agency schedule: None, this series is
not on the schedule.
Archival holdings:
A possibly related series with testimony re: salt water disposal in
1947 is:
Miscellaneous, 1932-1933, 1940, 1947, 5 linear inches
These records consist of oil production statistics compiled by the Oil
Accounting and Statistical Department in 1932-1933 for the East Texas
Field and, in April 1940, for the entire state. Also present is testimony
from a 1947 hearing on salt water disposal, and a 1947 speech by the
chairman of the Interstate Oil Compact Commission on its history and
functions.
Texas Documents Collection holdings: None
Gaps: None, the survey was conducted in 1957.
Appraisal decision:
This was a survey undertaken for environmental reasons by the RRC at
the request of the Attorney General's Office. It was to determine the
extent of fresh water pollution by salt water produced through oil and
gas operations. Such water was being discharged into the fresh waters
of the state in some cases. Participation in the survey was mandatory
for all oil and gas operators in the state. The survey provides valuable
environmental data regarding where salt water was being released. The
data in this series has long-term environmental and historical value.
A summary report containing the pertinent facts of the survey was not
found. In the absence of a report, the questionnaires have been appraised
to be archival. The records can be transferred to the Archives and Information
Services Division at the RRC's earliest convenience.
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Records Series Review
Series Title:
Correspondence and reports
Agency: Railroad Commission of Texas
Oil and Gas Division
Contact: Elsa Bosque
Obsolete record series? Yes
Replaced by: none
Ongoing record series? No
Agency holdings:
Retained in the Central Records area of the Oil and Gas Division at
agency headquarters. Files are dated ca. 1932-ca. 1940 and comprise
about 0.25 cubic feet.
Description:
This series contains correspondence and reports of the Oil and Gas Division,
dating ca. 1932-ca. 1940. Correspondents are RRC staff, lessees, oil
or gas producers, and oil companies. Topics include physical tests on
wells and equipment, production allowables, pressure, etc. Also present
are well production logs, reports on water wells, reports on oil fields,
and miscellaneous statistics. Current correspondence or reports of this
nature are filed in the appropriate application or project files instead
of being centrally filed.
Purpose:
These records document communication between the RRC's Oil and Gas Division
and oil and gas producers, companies, and lessees.
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and conducts
seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees: railroad
safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium, and iron
ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Oil and Gas Division works to prevent the waste of
oil, gas, and geothermal resources and to prevent the pollution of fresh
water from oil and gas operations. The division holds statewide hearings
on market demand and provides for equitable production among operators
by establishing monthly production allowables. It issues drilling permits,
reviews and approves oil and gas well completions, collects data on
oil and gas operations, and promotes public safety. It also protects
underground drinking water through regulation of the underground injection
of fluids in oil field operations, a program approved by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. It oversees
well plugging operations, site remediation, underground hydrocarbon
storage, hazardous waste management; and maintains a large amount of
data on wells - their location, production, etc. The division also investigates
complaints and conducts investigations. This division maintains 10 district
offices where field enforcement and support personnel monitor oil and
gas operations. The commission does not have the authority to set oil
and gas prices at the wellhead. The departments within the Oil and Gas
Division are: Administration, Permitting/Production Services, Information
Management Services, Environmental Services, Compliance, and the Oil
Field Cleanup Operations Unit (including Site Remediation and Special
Response, and Well Plugging).
Arrangement: Alphabetical by subject.
Access constraints: None
Use constraints: None
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
No
Problems: None
Known related records in other agencies: None
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission and none were found for this series or for equivalent
or related series.
Publications based on records: No
Series data from agency schedule: None, this is a defunct
series.
Archival holdings:
The series listed below is likely part of this series of correspondence
of the Oil and Gas Division.
Correspondence and reports, 1919-1935, 61.25 linear ft.
This series contains incoming and outgoing correspondence of the Oil
and Gas Division, dating 1919-1935. The incoming letters are from the
public and the division's field agents. It includes reports on inspection
activities, enforcement of oil and conservation laws, and inquiries.
The outgoing letters respond to public inquiries and give instructions
to field agents.
Texas Documents Collection holdings: None
Gaps: Records are not present at the agency prior to
ca. 1932 or after ca. 1940.
Appraisal decision:
The old correspondence and the reports of the Oil and Gas Division document
its interaction with the oil and gas industry during early years of
oil and gas production. The records also supplement correspondence and
reports held at the Archives. This series has been appraised to be archival.
The boxes can be transferred to the Archives and Information Services
Division at the RRC's earliest convenience.
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Records Series Review
Series Title:
Correspondence, applications
Agency: Railroad Commission of Texas
Oil and Gas Division
Contact: Elsa Bosque
Obsolete record series? Yes
Replaced by: unknown
Ongoing record series? No
Agency holdings:
Retained in the Central Records area of the Oil and Gas Division at
agency headquarters. Files are dated 1950-1951 and comprise two cubic
feet.
Description:
These are memoranda and reports from RRC engineers to the Commissioners
re: applications, dating 1950-1951. The memos give the application request,
hearing date, appearance, description of what the applicant is seeking,
and a report and recommendation by the engineer or the legal examiner
on whether the RRC should approve the application. The files do not
include a hearing or order number, and they do not indicate what the
commissioners decided. The specific types of applications are unknown.
Purpose:
To recommend whether or not the Commissioners should approve the applications.
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and conducts
seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees: railroad
safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium, and iron
ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Oil and Gas Division works to prevent the waste of
oil, gas, and geothermal resources and to prevent the pollution of fresh
water from oil and gas operations. The division holds statewide hearings
on market demand and provides for equitable production among operators
by establishing monthly production allowables. It issues drilling permits,
reviews and approves oil and gas well completions, collects data on
oil and gas operations, and promotes public safety. It also protects
underground drinking water through regulation of the underground injection
of fluids in oil field operations, a program approved by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. It oversees
well plugging operations, site remediation, underground hydrocarbon
storage, hazardous waste management; and maintains a large amount of
data on wells - their location, production, etc. The division also investigates
complaints and conducts investigations. This division maintains 10 district
offices where field enforcement and support personnel monitor oil and
gas operations. The commission does not have the authority to set oil
and gas prices at the wellhead. The departments within the Oil and Gas
Division are: Administration, Permitting/Production Services, Information
Management Services, Environmental Services, Compliance, and the Oil
Field Cleanup Operations Unit (including Site Remediation and Special
Response, and Well Plugging).
Arrangement: Alphabetical
Access constraints: None
Use constraints: None
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
No
Problems: None
Known related records in other agencies: None
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission and none were found for this series or for equivalent
or related series.
Publications based on records: None
Series data from agency schedule: None, this is a defunct
series.
Archival holdings:
None in the holdings of the Archives and Information Services of the
Library and Archives Commission.
Texas Documents Collection holdings: None
Gaps: No records are present prior to 1950 or after 1951.
Appraisal decision:
These files document recommendations of RRC engineers as to whether
the Commissioners should approve certain applications. It is not known
specifically what types of applications are involved. However, the files
also give a hearing date, indicating a hearing was held. The files do
not provide the results of the hearing or state whether the application
was approved. The series Hearing files should have this information,
and any orders issued as a result of these particular hearings will
also be covered in the series Notices and orders. Both the orders
and hearings series have been appraised to be archival, which provides
sufficient coverage of the data in these application requests.
This series, Correspondence, applications, is
not archival and is not to be transferred to the Archives. If the RRC
wishes to destroy the records, a "Request for Authority to Dispose of
State Records" (Form RMD 102) must be submitted and receive approval.
If the agency decides to retain the described records, the series must
be added to the agency's records retention schedule.
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Records Series Review
Series Title:
Correspondence re: gas production
Agency: Railroad Commission of Texas
Oil and Gas Division
Contact: Elsa Bosque
Obsolete record series? Yes
Replaced by: unknown
Ongoing record series? No
Agency holdings:
Retained in the Central Records area of the Oil and Gas Division at
agency headquarters. Files are dated in the 1940s and comprise about
0.24 cubic feet.
Description:
These are outgoing letters of the Railroad Commission to operators concerning
casinghead gas production, dating in the 1940s. The letters typically
request missing or additional information from gas operators or may
involve leases. Current correspondence of this nature is filed in the
appropriate application or permit files relating to casinghead gas production.
Purpose:
These letters request missing/additional information from operators
to complete the RRC's data on casinghead gas production.
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and conducts
seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees: railroad
safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium, and iron
ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Oil and Gas Division works to prevent the waste of
oil, gas, and geothermal resources and to prevent the pollution of fresh
water from oil and gas operations. The division holds statewide hearings
on market demand and provides for equitable production among operators
by establishing monthly production allowables. It issues drilling permits,
reviews and approves oil and gas well completions, collects data on
oil and gas operations, and promotes public safety. It also protects
underground drinking water through regulation of the underground injection
of fluids in oil field operations, a program approved by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. It oversees
well plugging operations, site remediation, underground hydrocarbon
storage, hazardous waste management; and maintains a large amount of
data on wells - their location, production, etc. The division also investigates
complaints and conducts investigations. This division maintains 10 district
offices where field enforcement and support personnel monitor oil and
gas operations. The commission does not have the authority to set oil
and gas prices at the wellhead. The departments within the Oil and Gas
Division are: Administration, Permitting/Production Services, Information
Management Services, Environmental Services, Compliance, and the Oil
Field Cleanup Operations Unit (including Site Remediation and Special
Response, and Well Plugging).
Arrangement: Topical
Access constraints: None
Use constraints: None
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
No
Problems: None
Known related records in other agencies: None
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission and none were found for this series or for equivalent
or related series.
Publications based on records: None
Series data from agency schedule: None, this is a defunct
series.
Archival holdings:
None in the holdings of the Archives and Information Services of the
Library and Archives Commission.
Texas Documents Collection holdings: None
Gaps: Records are only present for the 1940s.
Appraisal decision:
This series consists of outgoing letters from the RRC to gas operators
generally requesting missing or additional data re: casinghead gas production.
Without any response from the operators, there is no administrative
or other relevant value left in these records. This series is not archival
and is not to be transferred to the Archives. If the RRC wishes to destroy
the records, a "Request for Authority to Dispose of State Records" (Form
RMD 102) must be submitted and receive approval. If the agency decides
to retain the described records, the series must be added to the agency's
records retention schedule.
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Records Series Review
Series Title:
Correspondence re: East Texas Field
Agency: Railroad Commission of Texas
Oil and Gas Division
Contact: Elsa Bosque
Obsolete record series? Yes
Replaced by: none
Ongoing record series? No
Agency holdings:
Retained in the Central Records area of the Oil and Gas Division at
agency headquarters. Files are dated 1943-1960 and comprise 0.5 cubic
feet.
Description:
This is incoming correspondence to the Railroad Commission concerning
the East Texas Field, dating 1943-1960. Correspondents include land
owners, operators, oil companies, and attorneys. Topics include hearings,
wells, leases, equipment issues, requests granted by the RRC as rule
exceptions, requests to the RRC for exceptions, well status, etc.
Purpose:
These files document communication of the oil industry and interested
parties with the Railroad Commission concerning the East Texas Field.
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and conducts
seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees: railroad
safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium, and iron
ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Oil and Gas Division works to prevent the waste of
oil, gas, and geothermal resources and to prevent the pollution of fresh
water from oil and gas operations. The division holds statewide hearings
on market demand and provides for equitable production among operators
by establishing monthly production allowables. It issues drilling permits,
reviews and approves oil and gas well completions, collects data on
oil and gas operations, and promotes public safety. It also protects
underground drinking water through regulation of the underground injection
of fluids in oil field operations, a program approved by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. It oversees
well plugging operations, site remediation, underground hydrocarbon
storage, hazardous waste management; and maintains a large amount of
data on wells - their location, production, etc. The division also investigates
complaints and conducts investigations. This division maintains 10 district
offices where field enforcement and support personnel monitor oil and
gas operations. The commission does not have the authority to set oil
and gas prices at the wellhead. The departments within the Oil and Gas
Division are: Administration, Permitting/Production Services, Information
Management Services, Environmental Services, Compliance, and the Oil
Field Cleanup Operations Unit (including Site Remediation and Special
Response, and Well Plugging).
Arrangement: Folders are arranged chronologically by
year, then in reverse chronological order within the folders.
Access constraints: None
Use constraints: None
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
No
Problems: None
Known related records in other agencies: None
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission and none were found for this series or for equivalent
or related series.
Publications based on records: None
Series data from agency schedule: None, this is a defunct
series.
Archival holdings:
We do have some earlier correspondence of the Oil and Gas Division that
is marginally related to the correspondence in this series.
Correspondence and reports, 1919-1935, 61.25 linear ft.
This series contains incoming and outgoing correspondence of the Oil
and Gas Division, dating 1919-1935. The incoming letters are from the
public and the division's field agents. It includes reports on inspection
activities, enforcement of oil and conservation laws, and inquiries.
The outgoing letters respond to public inquiries and give instructions
to field agents.
Texas Documents Collection holdings: None
Gaps: No records are present before 1943 or after 1960.
Appraisal decision:
This series contains incoming correspondence to the Railroad Commission
regarding the East Texas Field. Correspondence such as this today would
be filed with the appropriate application or permit files. This series
supplements early correspondence of the Oil and Gas Division already
held in the Archives. It covers a variety of topics, though just one
field, albeit a major one. Some of this data should be available in
other RRC series. This series does have some evidential value as it
records communications of the oil production industry with the RRC re:
a major oil field. This series has been appraised to be archival. The
files can be transferred to the Archives and Information Services Division
at the RRC's earliest convenience.
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Records Series Review
Series Title:
Reports of wells producing by artificial methods in the East Texas Field
Agency: Railroad Commission of Texas
Oil and Gas Division
Contact: Elsa Bosque
Obsolete record series? Yes
Replaced by: possibly part of the series Oil and gas production reports
Ongoing record series? No
Agency holdings:
Retained in the Central Records area of the Oil and Gas Division at
agency headquarters. Files are dated 1944-1947 and comprise two cubic
feet.
Description:
These are reports of wells producing by artificial methods. The reports
show barrels of oil and percentages of water from all wells producing
water in the East Texas Field. Reports were produced semi-annually and
are dated 1944-1947, with the report for January 1946 missing. Information
in the report includes the operator, lease name, well number, survey
name, barrels produced, percentages of water, and production method
(pump, flow, or other). Similar reports dating 1934, 1937-1943 and 1950-1956
are described in another series of old records, Miscellaneous reports,
East Texas Field. Production data for all wells, dating from the
early 1930s-[ongoing] are found in the series Oil and gas production
reports.
Purpose:
The reports provide production data for wells producing oil by artificial
methods in the East Texas Field.
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and conducts
seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees: railroad
safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium, and iron
ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Oil and Gas Division works to prevent the waste of
oil, gas, and geothermal resources and to prevent the pollution of fresh
water from oil and gas operations. The division holds statewide hearings
on market demand and provides for equitable production among operators
by establishing monthly production allowables. It issues drilling permits,
reviews and approves oil and gas well completions, collects data on
oil and gas operations, and promotes public safety. It also protects
underground drinking water through regulation of the underground injection
of fluids in oil field operations, a program approved by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. It oversees
well plugging operations, site remediation, underground hydrocarbon
storage, hazardous waste management; and maintains a large amount of
data on wells - their location, production, etc. The division also investigates
complaints and conducts investigations. This division maintains 10 district
offices where field enforcement and support personnel monitor oil and
gas operations. The commission does not have the authority to set oil
and gas prices at the wellhead. The departments within the Oil and Gas
Division are: Administration, Permitting/Production Services, Information
Management Services, Environmental Services, Compliance, and the Oil
Field Cleanup Operations Unit (including Site Remediation and Special
Response, and Well Plugging).
Arrangement: Chronological
Access constraints: None
Use constraints: None
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
No
Problems: None
Known related records in other agencies: None
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission none were found for this series. There were several
requests submitted to destroyed paper records after microfilming for
likely related series:
Oil ledgers/oil production ledgers - several destruction requests
were submitted between June 1986 and April 1995 to destroy paper records
dating 1936-1978, 1983-1992.
Gas ledgers/gas production ledgers - several destruction
requests were submitted between June 1986 and April 1995 to destroy
paper records dating 1953-1966, 1983-1992.
Oil and gas production ledgers, district 9 - a
destruction request dated June 1986 to destroy paper records dating
1936-1978.
Publications based on records:
Some production statistics are in the Oil and Gas Division Annual
Report.
Series data from agency schedule: This series is defunct,
but reports giving production data are present in the series:
Title: Oil and gas production reports
Series item number: none
Agency item number: 4.017
Archival code: none
Retention: 100 years
Archival holdings:
Oil and Gas Division Annual Report, 1935-1936, 1939-1973.
A related series is:
Miscellaneous, 1932-1933, 1940, 1947, 5 linear inches
These records consist of oil production statistics compiled by the Oil
Accounting and Statistical Department in 1932-1933 for the East Texas
Field and, in April 1940, for the entire state. Also present is testimony
from a 1947 hearing on salt water disposal, and a 1947 speech by the
chairman of the Interstate Oil Compact Commission on its history and
functions.
Texas Documents Collection holdings:
Oil and Gas Division Annual Report, 1935-1936, 1939-1996.
Gaps: No reports are present in this series prior to
1944 or after 1947, and January 1946 is missing.
Appraisal decision:
These reports provide production data of wells producing by artificial
methods in the East Texas Field. As with another series, these records
concern just the East Texas Field. Production data of all oil and gas
wells is present in the series Oil and gas production reports.
That is sufficient coverage of well production. This series is not archival
and is not to be transferred to the Archives. If the RRC wishes to destroy
the records, a "Request for Authority to Dispose of State Records" (Form
RMD 102) must be submitted and receive approval. If the agency decides
to retain the described records, the series must be added to the agency's
records retention schedule.
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Records Series Review
Series Title:
Miscellaneous reports, East Texas Field
Agency: Railroad Commission of Texas
Oil and Gas Division
Contact: Elsa Bosque
Obsolete record series? Yes
Replaced by: possibly part of the series Oil and gas production reports
Ongoing record series? No
Agency holdings:
Retained in the Central Records area of the Oil and Gas Division at
agency headquarters. Files are dated 1934, 1937-1943, 1950-1956 and
comprise six cubic feet.
Description:
These are various reports on the East Texas Field, primarily concerning
production, dating 1934, 1937-1943, 1950-1956. There are monthly and/or
quarterly reports of wells "showing water," dated 1934, giving the
operator, lease, well number, survey, tubing, percent contaminated;
and quarterly and/or semi-annual reports - Report of Wells Producing
by Artificial Methods Showing Barrels and Percentage of Water from all
Wells making Water, dated 1937-1943 and 1950-1956, giving operator,
lease name, well number, survey name, barrels produced, percentages
of water, and production method (pump, flow, or other). Reports in the
last group, dating 1944-1947, are described in another series of old
records, Reports of wells producing by artificial methods in the
East Texas Field. Production data for all wells, dating from the
early 1930s-[ongoing] are found in the series Oil and gas production
reports.
Purpose:
Some reports provide production data for wells producing oil by artificial
methods in the East Texas Field. Others report on wells "showing
water" in the East Texas Field.
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and conducts
seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees: railroad
safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium, and iron
ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Oil and Gas Division works to prevent the waste of
oil, gas, and geothermal resources and to prevent the pollution of fresh
water from oil and gas operations. The division holds statewide hearings
on market demand and provides for equitable production among operators
by establishing monthly production allowables. It issues drilling permits,
reviews and approves oil and gas well completions, collects data on
oil and gas operations, and promotes public safety. It also protects
underground drinking water through regulation of the underground injection
of fluids in oil field operations, a program approved by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. It oversees
well plugging operations, site remediation, underground hydrocarbon
storage, hazardous waste management; and maintains a large amount of
data on wells - their location, production, etc. The division also investigates
complaints and conducts investigations. This division maintains 10 district
offices where field enforcement and support personnel monitor oil and
gas operations. The commission does not have the authority to set oil
and gas prices at the wellhead. The departments within the Oil and Gas
Division are: Administration, Permitting/Production Services, Information
Management Services, Environmental Services, Compliance, and the Oil
Field Cleanup Operations Unit (including Site Remediation and Special
Response, and Well Plugging).
Arrangement: By type of report.
Access constraints: None
Use constraints: None
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
No
Problems: None
Known related records in other agencies: None
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission none were found for this series. There were several
requests submitted to destroyed paper records after microfilming for
likely related series:
Oil ledgers/oil production ledgers - several destruction requests
were submitted between June 1986 and April 1995 to destroy paper records
dating 1936-1978, 1983-1992.
Gas ledgers/gas production ledgers - several destruction
requests were submitted between June 1986 and April 1995 to destroy
paper records dating 1953-1966, 1983-1992.
Oil and gas production ledgers, district 9 - a
destruction request dated June 1986 to destroy paper records dating
1936-1978.
Publications based on records:
Some production statistics are in the Oil and Gas Division Annual
Report.
Series data from agency schedule: This series is defunct,
but reports giving production data are present in the series:
Title: Oil and gas production reports
Series item number: none
Agency item number: 4.017
Archival code: none
Retention: 100 years
Archival holdings:
Oil and Gas Division Annual Report, 1935-1936, 1939-1973.
A related series is:
Miscellaneous, 1932-1933, 1940, 1947, 5 linear inches
These records consist of oil production statistics compiled by the Oil
Accounting and Statistical Department in 1932-1933 for the East Texas
Field and, in April 1940, for the entire state. Also present is testimony
from a 1947 hearing on salt water disposal, and a 1947 speech by the
chairman of the Interstate Oil Compact Commission on its history and
functions.
Texas Documents Collection holdings:
Oil and Gas Division Annual Report, 1935-1936, 1939-1996.
Gaps: No reports are present in this series prior to
1934, for 1944-1949, or after 1956.
Appraisal decision:
This series consists of two sets of reports from the East Texas Field,
primarily concerning production. As with another series, these records
concern just the East Texas Field. Production data of all oil and gas
wells is present in the series Oil and gas production reports.
That is sufficient coverage of well production. The other set of reports
(covers just 1934) primarily concerns the percentage of water in wells.
This data is reported in other types of production reports, covered
in another series. This series, Miscellaneous reports, East Texas
Field, is not archival and is not to be transferred to the Archives.
If the RRC wishes to destroy the records, a "Request for Authority to
Dispose of State Records" (Form RMD 102) must be submitted and receive
approval. If the agency decides to retain the described records, the
series must be added to the agency's records retention schedule.
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Records Series Review
Series Title:
Oil and casinghead gas production reports, Panhandle Field
Agency: Railroad Commission of Texas
Oil and Gas Division
Contact: Elsa Bosque
Obsolete record series? Yes
Replaced by: unknown
Ongoing record series? No
Agency holdings:
Retained in the Central Records area of the Oil and Gas Division at
agency headquarters. Files are dated 1957-1958 and comprise two cubic
feet.
Description:
These are producers' reports of oil and casinghead gas production in
the Panhandle Field, dating 1957-1958. Each report contains the operator's
name, county, month, producer's name and address, lease name and number,
number of wells producing, number of barrels produced for oil and for
gas, amount of gas produced, and the gather's name. Production data
for all wells, dating from the early 1930s-[ongoing] are found in the
series Oil and gas production reports.
Purpose:
To report on oil and casinghead gas production as required by Special
Order #10-36,290, dated September 16, 1957.
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and conducts
seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees: railroad
safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium, and iron
ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Oil and Gas Division works to prevent the waste of
oil, gas, and geothermal resources and to prevent the pollution of fresh
water from oil and gas operations. The division holds statewide hearings
on market demand and provides for equitable production among operators
by establishing monthly production allowables. It issues drilling permits,
reviews and approves oil and gas well completions, collects data on
oil and gas operations, and promotes public safety. It also protects
underground drinking water through regulation of the underground injection
of fluids in oil field operations, a program approved by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. It oversees
well plugging operations, site remediation, underground hydrocarbon
storage, hazardous waste management; and maintains a large amount of
data on wells - their location, production, etc. The division also investigates
complaints and conducts investigations. This division maintains 10 district
offices where field enforcement and support personnel monitor oil and
gas operations. The commission does not have the authority to set oil
and gas prices at the wellhead. The departments within the Oil and Gas
Division are: Administration, Permitting/Production Services, Information
Management Services, Environmental Services, Compliance, and the Oil
Field Cleanup Operations Unit (including Site Remediation and Special
Response, and Well Plugging).
Arrangement: Chronological by month
Access constraints: None
Use constraints: None
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
No
Problems: None
Known related records in other agencies: None
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission none were found for this series. There were several
requests submitted to destroyed paper records after microfilming for
likely related series:
Oil ledgers/oil production ledgers - several destruction
requests were submitted between June 1986 and April 1995 to destroy
paper records dating 1936-1978, 1983-1992.
Gas ledgers/gas production ledgers - several destruction
requests were submitted between June 1986 and April 1995 to destroy
paper records dating 1953-1966, 1983-1992.
Oil and gas production ledgers, district 9 - a
destruction request dated June 1986 to destroy paper records dating
1936-1978.
Publications based on records:
Some production statistics are in the Oil and Gas Division Annual
Report.
Series data from agency schedule: This series is defunct,
reports giving production data are present in the series:
Title: Oil and gas production reports
Series item number: none
Agency item number: 4.017
Archival code: none
Retention: 100 years
Archival holdings:
Oil and Gas Division Annual Report, 1935-1936, 1939-1973.
Texas Documents Collection holdings:
Oil and Gas Division Annual Report, 1935-1936, 1939-1996.
Gaps: Reports are only present for 1957-1958.
Appraisal decision:
According to data in the reports, these particular production reports
were submitted in compliance with a special order dated September 16,
1957. The order required producers to submit oil and casinghead gas
production data. These records concern just the Panhandle Field and
cover only a two-year time period. Production data of all oil and gas
wells is present in the series Oil and gas production reports.
Also, oil and casinghead gas production is reported in the Oil and
Gas Division Annual Report. That is sufficient coverage of oil and
gas production. This series is not archival and is not to be transferred
to the Archives. If the RRC wishes to destroy the records, a "Request
for Authority to Dispose of State Records" (Form RMD 102) must be submitted
and receive approval. If the agency decides to retain the described
records, the series must be added to the agency's records retention
schedule.
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Records Series Review
Series Title:
Panhandle reports
Agency: Railroad Commission of Texas
Oil and Gas Division
Contact: Elsa Bosque
Obsolete record series? Yes
Replaced by: unknown
Ongoing record series? No
Agency holdings:
Retained in the Central Records area of the Oil and Gas Division at
agency headquarters. Files are dated 1930-1939 and comprise two cubic
feet.
Description:
These reports concern gas to oil ratio potential and rock pressure in
the Panhandle Field. Dates covered are 1930-1939.
Purpose:
These report on gas to oil ratio potential in the Panhandle Field.
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and conducts
seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees: railroad
safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium, and iron
ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Oil and Gas Division works to prevent the waste of
oil, gas, and geothermal resources and to prevent the pollution of fresh
water from oil and gas operations. The division holds statewide hearings
on market demand and provides for equitable production among operators
by establishing monthly production allowables. It issues drilling permits,
reviews and approves oil and gas well completions, collects data on
oil and gas operations, and promotes public safety. It also protects
underground drinking water through regulation of the underground injection
of fluids in oil field operations, a program approved by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. It oversees
well plugging operations, site remediation, underground hydrocarbon
storage, hazardous waste management; and maintains a large amount of
data on wells - their location, production, etc. The division also investigates
complaints and conducts investigations. This division maintains 10 district
offices where field enforcement and support personnel monitor oil and
gas operations. The commission does not have the authority to set oil
and gas prices at the wellhead. The departments within the Oil and Gas
Division are: Administration, Permitting/Production Services, Information
Management Services, Environmental Services, Compliance, and the Oil
Field Cleanup Operations Unit (including Site Remediation and Special
Response, and Well Plugging).
Arrangement: Chronological
Access constraints: None
Use constraints: None
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
No
Problems: None
Known related records in other agencies: None
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission none were found for this series or for equivalent
or related series.
Publications based on records: None known
Series data from agency schedule: None, this is a defunct
series.
Archival holdings:
None in the holdings of the Archives and Information Services of the
Library and Archives Commission.
Texas Documents Collection holdings: None
Gaps: No records are present prior to 1930 or after 1939.
Appraisal decision:
These reports concern gas to oil ratio potential and rock pressure in
the Panhandle Field covering early years of production in this field.
This data on gas/oil potential could have long-term value. This data
may be present in an existing series of records in the Railroad Commission.
The series Oil and gas potential files does provide data about
pressures and reserves. Not all of the records in the oil and gas potential
files date back to the 1930s, so it is unknown if gas/oil ratio and
rock pressure data is recorded. Without further input from the RRC staff,
we can only appraise the reports in this series on their own merit.
There is historical value in having gas/oil ratio potential during the
early production years, and the files only comprise two cubic feet.
This series has been appraised to be archival. The boxes can be transferred
to the Archives and Information Services Division at the agency's
earliest convenience.
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Records Series Review
Series Title:
Oil and gas files, Rodessa Field
Agency: Railroad Commission of Texas
Oil and Gas Division
Contact: Elsa Bosque
Obsolete record series? Yes
Replaced by: parts of this series can be found in later series, ordered
by type of record instead of by the field
Ongoing record series? No
Agency holdings:
Retained in the Central Records area of the Oil and Gas Division at
agency headquarters. Files are dated 1936-1944 and comprise four cubic
feet.
Description:
These are reports, hearing files, orders, and correspondence concerning
oil and gas ratios in the Rodessa Field, dating 1936-1944. The Rodessa
Field covers parts of Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas. On December 31,
1936, the Railroad Commission issued an order pertaining to oil and
gas ratios in the Dees-Young Horizon of the Rodessa Field. There are
monthly special orders, dating 1938-1944, increasing the allowable production
for wells in response to operator requested increases. There is also
a hearing file; correspondence with attorneys, the RRC, and oil and
gas officials in Arkansas and Louisiana; a report re: field proration
schedules; and a report re: gas withdrawal.
Purpose:
These document legal issues and concerns over oil and gas production
ratios in the Rodessa Field.
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and conducts
seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees: railroad
safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium, and iron
ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Oil and Gas Division works to prevent the waste of
oil, gas, and geothermal resources and to prevent the pollution of fresh
water from oil and gas operations. The division holds statewide hearings
on market demand and provides for equitable production among operators
by establishing monthly production allowables. It issues drilling permits,
reviews and approves oil and gas well completions, collects data on
oil and gas operations, and promotes public safety. It also protects
underground drinking water through regulation of the underground injection
of fluids in oil field operations, a program approved by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. It oversees
well plugging operations, site remediation, underground hydrocarbon
storage, hazardous waste management; and maintains a large amount of
data on wells - their location, production, etc. The division also investigates
complaints and conducts investigations. This division maintains 10 district
offices where field enforcement and support personnel monitor oil and
gas operations. The commission does not have the authority to set oil
and gas prices at the wellhead. The departments within the Oil and Gas
Division are: Administration, Permitting/Production Services, Information
Management Services, Environmental Services, Compliance, and the Oil
Field Cleanup Operations Unit (including Site Remediation and Special
Response, and Well Plugging).
Arrangement: By type of record.
Access constraints: None
Use constraints: None
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
No
Problems: None
Known related records in other agencies: None known
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission none were found for this series or for equivalent
or related series.
Publications based on records: No
Series data from agency schedule: Not on the schedule,
this is a defunct series. Parts of these records are today filed in
several series:
Title: Notices and orders - paper
Series item number: none
Agency item number: 4.006
Archival code: none
Retention: PM
Title: Hearing files - paper
Series item number: none
Agency item number: 4.011
Archival code: none
Retention: PM
Title: Reports for market demand
Series item number: none
Agency item number: 4.032
Archival code: none
Retention: 100 years
Archival holdings:
None in the holdings of the Archives and Information Services of the
Library and Archives Commission.
Texas Documents Collection holdings: None
Gaps: No records are present prior to 1936 or after 1944.
Appraisal decision:
Although these oil and gas files cover a short period of time and concern
just one field, they are valuable because of the issues arising early
in the oil and gas era over production within a field covering three
states. This data may be available elsewhere in the RRC, particularly
in the series Notices and orders (4.006), Hearing files
(4.011), and Reports for market demand (4.032). This series of
records was possibly created for legal reasons. There is a uniqueness
here because of the early time period of the records and the location
of the field. The records are an example of oil and gas issues within
a field handled by the RRC and other states. Because of this uniqueness
this series has been appraised to be archival. The boxes can be transferred
to the Archives and Information Services Division at the RRC's earliest
convenience.
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Records Series Review
Series Title:
Proration violation files
Agency: Railroad Commission of Texas
Oil and Gas Division
Contact: Elsa Bosque
Obsolete record series? Yes
Replaced by: unknown
Ongoing record series? No
Agency holdings:
Retained in the Central Records area of the Oil and Gas Division at
agency headquarters. Files are dated 1932-1933, ca. 1948 and comprise
four cubic feet.
Description:
The files contain correspondence concerning proration violations, dating
1932-1933, and some correspondence requesting proration exceptions,
dating ca. 1948. The majority of the records concern violations and
consist of correspondence and a copy of the violation. Correspondents
include the company issued the violation, the Railroad Commission, or
the Attorney General (AG). In most cases there is a letter to the Attorney
General from the RRC requesting the AG to file a suit, with a copy of
the violation attached.
Proration violations concern operators producing more
oil or gas than allowed by the Railroad Commission.
Purpose:
These document proration violation cases.
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and conducts
seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees: railroad
safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium, and iron
ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Oil and Gas Division works to prevent the waste of
oil, gas, and geothermal resources and to prevent the pollution of fresh
water from oil and gas operations. The division holds statewide hearings
on market demand and provides for equitable production among operators
by establishing monthly production allowables. It issues drilling permits,
reviews and approves oil and gas well completions, collects data on
oil and gas operations, and promotes public safety. It also protects
underground drinking water through regulation of the underground injection
of fluids in oil field operations, a program approved by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. It oversees
well plugging operations, site remediation, underground hydrocarbon
storage, hazardous waste management; and maintains a large amount of
data on wells - their location, production, etc. The division also investigates
complaints and conducts investigations. This division maintains 10 district
offices where field enforcement and support personnel monitor oil and
gas operations. The commission does not have the authority to set oil
and gas prices at the wellhead. The departments within the Oil and Gas
Division are: Administration, Permitting/Production Services, Information
Management Services, Environmental Services, Compliance, and the Oil
Field Cleanup Operations Unit (including Site Remediation and Special
Response, and Well Plugging).
Arrangement: Alphabetical by defendant.
Access constraints: None
Use constraints: None
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
No
Problems: None
Known related records in other agencies: None known.
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission none were found for this series or for equivalent
or related series.
Publications based on records: None
Series data from agency schedule: None, this is a defunct
series.
Archival holdings:
There are several series of Attorney General litigation files at the
Archives. Suits filed by the AG in these cases are likely part of the
litigation files.
Texas Documents Collection holdings: None
Gaps: No records are present prior to 1932 or after 1933
for violations, and requests for exceptions only cover ca. 1948.
Appraisal decision:
Proration violations concern operators producing more oil and gas than
allowed by the Railroad Commission. The files in this series cover a
very narrow time frame and only provide information re: filing a suit.
The files do not indicate if the suit was actually filed or the outcome.
If a hearing was held by the RRC, it should be covered in the series
Hearing files and Notices and orders. Litigation filed
by the Attorney General would be housed in old series of litigation
files at the Archives. Regardless of coverage elsewhere, proration violations
do not require long term retention. This series is not archival and
is not to be transferred to the Archives. If the RRC wishes to destroy
the records, a "Request for Authority to Dispose of State Records" (Form
RMD 102) must be submitted and receive approval. If the agency decides
to retain the described records, the series must be added to the agency's
records retention schedule.
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Records Series Review
Series Title:
Master record of supplemental allowables
Agency: Railroad Commission of Texas
Oil and Gas Division
Contact: Elsa Bosque
Obsolete record series? likely
Replaced by: unknown
Ongoing record series? unknown
Annual accumulation: unknown
Agency holdings:
Retained in the Central Records area of the Oil and Gas Division at
agency headquarters. Files are dated 1949 and comprise about 0.66 cubic
feet.
Description:
These are tables of supplemental allowables, dating 1949. They give
the name of the district supervisor, field number, month/year, county,
field name, date issued, supplement number, company issued to, well
number, name of lease, fixed allowable at barrels per day, effective
date, etc.
Purpose:
These tables serve as a master record of supplemental allowables. This
data may have been issued as an exhibit in a hearing, as other materials
in this box concerned hearings. (The other materials are pipeline tariff
reports dating 14 years later.)
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and conducts
seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees: railroad
safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium, and iron
ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Oil and Gas Division works to prevent the waste of
oil, gas, and geothermal resources and to prevent the pollution of fresh
water from oil and gas operations. The division holds statewide hearings
on market demand and provides for equitable production among operators
by establishing monthly production allowables. It issues drilling permits,
reviews and approves oil and gas well completions, collects data on
oil and gas operations, and promotes public safety. It also protects
underground drinking water through regulation of the underground injection
of fluids in oil field operations, a program approved by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. It oversees
well plugging operations, site remediation, underground hydrocarbon
storage, hazardous waste management; and maintains a large amount of
data on wells - their location, production, etc. The division also investigates
complaints and conducts investigations. This division maintains 10 district
offices where field enforcement and support personnel monitor oil and
gas operations. The commission does not have the authority to set oil
and gas prices at the wellhead. The departments within the Oil and Gas
Division are: Administration, Permitting/Production Services, Information
Management Services, Environmental Services, Compliance, and the Oil
Field Cleanup Operations Unit (including Site Remediation and Special
Response, and Well Plugging).
Arrangement: N/A
Access constraints: None
Use constraints: None
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
No
Problems:
This data may have been issued as an exhibit in a hearing, as other
materials in this box concerned hearings, but are dated 14 years later
and do not appear related to the supplemental allowables. They are pipeline
tariff reports, described in a separate series.
Known related records in other agencies: None
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission none were found for this series or for equivalent
or related series.
Publications based on records: None
Series data from agency schedule: Not on the schedule,
this is a defunct series. This series could be part of the series below,
which has monthly allowables established by the RRC - logically it should
include supplemental allowables.
Title: Reports for market demand
Series item number: none
Agency item number: 4.032
Archival code: none
Retention: 100 years
Archival holdings:
None in the holdings of the Archives and Information Services of the
Library and Archives Commission.
Texas Documents Collection holdings: None
Gaps: Schedules are only present for 1949.
Appraisal decision:
Production allowables, which should include supplemental allowables,
are covered in the series Reports for market demand. Even if
the supplemental schedules were not included, this series has little,
if any value, since it covers such a narrow time frame - one year. This
series is not archival and is not to be transferred to the Archives.
If the RRC wishes to destroy the records, a "Request for Authority to
Dispose of State Records" (Form RMD 102) must be submitted and receive
approval. If the agency decides to retain the described records, the
series must be added to the agency's records retention schedule.
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Records Series Review
Series Title:
Salt water production worksheets and statistical reports
Agency: Railroad Commission of Texas
Oil and Gas Division
Contact: Elsa Bosque
Obsolete record series? yes
Replaced by: unknown
Ongoing record series? No
Agency holdings:
Retained in the Central Records area of the Oil and Gas Division at
agency headquarters. Files are dated 1942-1943, 1949-1961, 1970s, and
comprise 11 cubic feet
Description:
These are salt water production worksheets and statistical reports.
Dates covered vary with the type of report or worksheet, covering 1942-1943,
1949-1961, and the 1970s. The 1970s worksheets are computer printouts
listing the field name, number of wells, and exempt allowables. Earlier
worksheets are present for the East Texas Field, covering 1949-1961.
Statistical reports include bottom hole pressure reports, 1956-1959
(date, operator, lease, well number, pressure); statistical reports,
1951-1959 (operator, lease, survey, well number); salt water injection
summary reports, 1951-1961 (operator, lease, well number, number of
wells, injection data, number of barrels of water per month); transferred
salt allowable supplement monthly reports, 1949-1959 (company, lease,
survey, well number, old and new allowables); earned salt water allowable
monthly reports, 1942-1943 (company, lease, survey, well number, old
and new allowables); and monthly reports of salt water injection, 1956-1958.
Purpose:
The worksheets report salt water production. Most statistical reports
record salt water allowables and/or salt water injection, others report
on bottom hole pressure.
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and conducts
seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees: railroad
safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium, and iron
ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Oil and Gas Division works to prevent the waste of
oil, gas, and geothermal resources and to prevent the pollution of fresh
water from oil and gas operations. The division holds statewide hearings
on market demand and provides for equitable production among operators
by establishing monthly production allowables. It issues drilling permits,
reviews and approves oil and gas well completions, collects data on
oil and gas operations, and promotes public safety. It also protects
underground drinking water through regulation of the underground injection
of fluids in oil field operations, a program approved by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. It oversees
well plugging operations, site remediation, underground hydrocarbon
storage, hazardous waste management; and maintains a large amount of
data on wells - their location, production, etc. The division also investigates
complaints and conducts investigations. This division maintains 10 district
offices where field enforcement and support personnel monitor oil and
gas operations. The commission does not have the authority to set oil
and gas prices at the wellhead. The departments within the Oil and Gas
Division are: Administration, Permitting/Production Services, Information
Management Services, Environmental Services, Compliance, and the Oil
Field Cleanup Operations Unit (including Site Remediation and Special
Response, and Well Plugging).
Arrangement: By type of record, then chronological.
Access constraints: None
Use constraints: None
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
No
Problems: None
Known related records in other agencies: None
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission none were found for this series or for equivalent
or related series.
Publications based on records: None
Series data from agency schedule: None, this is a defunct
series as it exists. Some of production data is likely reported in the
production reports; allowable data can be found in the reports for market
demand.
Title: Oil and gas production reports
Series item number: none
Agency item number: 4.017
Archival code: none
Retention: 100 years
Title: Reports for market demand
Series item number: none
Agency item number: 4.032
Archival code: none
Retention: 100 years
Archival holdings:
None in the holdings of the Archives and Information Services of the
Library and Archives Commission.
Texas Documents Collection holdings: None
Gaps: Varies according to the report. Salt water production
worksheets are only present for the 1970s. Bottom hole pressure reports
only cover 1956-1959. Salt water injection summary reports cover only
1951-1961. Transferred salt allowable supplement monthly reports are
only present for 1949-1959. Earned salt water allowable monthly reports
cover only 1942-1943. Monthly reports of salt water injection are only
present for 1956-1958. Statistics reports (misc.) only cover the years
1951-1959.
Appraisal decision:
These worksheets and reports are very fragmented, reporting on various
salt water injection data or allowables, or bottom hole pressure for
narrow time frames. Production allowables should be in the series Reports
for market demand; production data can likely be found in the Oil
and gas production reports. Additionally, the RRC keeps applications
and permits for salt water injection permanently, see H-1: Application
to inject fluid into a reservoir productive of oil or gas.
The data in the various reports or worksheets described
in this series is sufficiently covered in the above described series.
This series is not archival and is not to be transferred to the Archives.
If the RRC wishes to destroy the records, a "Request for Authority to
Dispose of State Records" (Form RMD 102) must be submitted and receive
approval. If the agency decides to retain the described records, the
series must be added to the agency's records retention schedule.
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Records Series Review
Series Title:
Injection reports
Agency: Railroad Commission of Texas
Oil and Gas Division
Contact: Elsa Bosque
Obsolete record series? Yes
Replaced by: could be part of more than one series
Ongoing record series? No
Agency holdings:
Retained in the Central Records area of the Oil and Gas Division at
agency headquarters. Files are dated 1957-1968 and comprise eight cubic
feet.
Description:
These are various monthly reports concerning the injection of water
or gas into wells as part of the oil production process. Dates covered
are 1957-1968, but not all types of injection reports are present for
all years. There are injection credit reports, reports of cycling operations,
gas injection reports, reports of voidage replacement operations, reports
of pressure maintenance operations, and reports re: adjustments of per
well allowables. All of the reports have data on water and/or gas injected
into the wells. Other information generally present includes the operator,
lease name and number, date, oil and gas production, injection credit,
amount of water or gas injected, and injection allowable.
Purpose:
These record water or gas injected into wells as part of the oil production
process.
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and conducts
seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees: railroad
safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium, and iron
ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Oil and Gas Division works to prevent the waste of
oil, gas, and geothermal resources and to prevent the pollution of fresh
water from oil and gas operations. The division holds statewide hearings
on market demand and provides for equitable production among operators
by establishing monthly production allowables. It issues drilling permits,
reviews and approves oil and gas well completions, collects data on
oil and gas operations, and promotes public safety. It also protects
underground drinking water through regulation of the underground injection
of fluids in oil field operations, a program approved by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. It oversees
well plugging operations, site remediation, underground hydrocarbon
storage, hazardous waste management; and maintains a large amount of
data on wells - their location, production, etc. The division also investigates
complaints and conducts investigations. This division maintains 10 district
offices where field enforcement and support personnel monitor oil and
gas operations. The commission does not have the authority to set oil
and gas prices at the wellhead. The departments within the Oil and Gas
Division are: Administration, Permitting/Production Services, Information
Management Services, Environmental Services, Compliance, and the Oil
Field Cleanup Operations Unit (including Site Remediation and Special
Response, and Well Plugging).
Arrangement: By type of report.
Access constraints: None
Use constraints: None
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
No
Problems:
There are several types of reports concerning the injection of water
or gas into wells. They were scattered among eight boxes, with each
box containing at least two types of the reports described, and most,
if not all of the reports were found in at least two different boxes.
Thus these records are described together in this series review.
Known related records in other agencies: None
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission none were found for this series or for equivalent
or related series.
Publications based on records:
Some data, such as reports on cycling operations and reports on pressure
maintenance operations are published in the annual report of the Oil
and Gas Division - Oil and Gas Annual Report, 1935-1936, 1939-[ongoing]
Series data from agency schedule: None, this is a defunct
series as it exists. Injection and related data is present in several
series on the RRC schedule. Those listed below are the most likely to
contain the data covered in the injection reports described in this
series review.
Title: Oil and gas production reports
Series item number: none
Agency item number: 4.017
Archival code: none
Retention: 100 years
Title: Plants/refinery reports
Series item number: none
Agency item number: 4.035
Archival code: none
Retention 100 years
Title: Reports for market demand
Series item number: none
Agency item number: 4.032
Archival code: none
Retention: 100 years
Title: Monthly Summary of Texas Natural Gas
Series item number: none
Agency item number: 4.095
Archival code: R
Retention: 100 years
Archival holdings:
Oil and Gas Annual Report, 1935-1936, 1939-1973
Texas Documents Collection holdings:
Oil and Gas Annual Report, 1935-1936, 1939-1996
Gaps: Varies with the type of reports, information on
the dates is not available for each type of report. Overall gaps are
pre-1957 and post-1968.
Appraisal decision:
There are several sets of reports present, each covering only a few
years. Injection data and other data from the reports listed in the
description are available elsewhere in the Railroad Commission, including
published sources. There are other series that contain most, if not
all of this data in one form or another. See the series Oil and gas
production reports (4.017), Reports for market demand (4.032),
and Monthly Summary of Texas Natural Gas (4.095). These series
have a retention period of 100 years and have all been appraised to
be archival, so the data will be retained permanently. Some data is
likely found elsewhere, though all the relevant sources are unknown
to the Archives staff. Additionally, the RRC keeps applications and
permits for salt water injection permanently, see H-1: Application
to inject fluid into a reservoir productive of oil or gas.
The injection data described in this series is sufficiently
covered in the series listed above. This series is not archival and
is not to be transferred to the Archives. If the RRC wishes to destroy
the records, a "Request for Authority to Dispose of State Records" (Form
RMD 102) must be submitted and receive approval. If the agency decides
to retain the described records, the series must be added to the agency's
records retention schedule.
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Records Series Review
Series Title:
Miscellaneous oil and gas reports
Agency: Railroad Commission of Texas
Oil and Gas Division
Contact: Elsa Bosque
Obsolete record series? yes
Replaced by: Similar reports can be found in the series Oil and gas
production reports and Oil and gas status reports
Ongoing record series? No
Agency holdings:
Retained in the Central Records area of the Oil and Gas Division at
agency headquarters. Records are dated 1937-1946, 1948-1961, comprising
six cubic feet.
Description:
This series consists of several sets of reports re: oil and gas production,
dating 1937-1946, 1948-1961. The most voluminous set is the monthly
production reports of salt water injection wells and associated gas
well schedules for the East Texas Field dating 1940-1946, 1948-1961.
The reports give the operator, well number, gas allowed, barrels equivalent,
and transfers - gas allowables, listing the oil companies involved.
Other reports are water well injection reports accompanied by plats
and correspondence, dating 1940; quarterly well status reports for several
fields, 1937 and 1939; and monthly well operation reports (operator,
well allowable permitted, well number, allowable, total oil/gas production,
etc.). Exact dates of the well operation reports are unknown, but the
reports fall within the 1937-1946 and 1948-1961 time frame. There is
also a single report, dating 1939, that is a report of a survey governing
sub-marginal dead wells and wells temporarily off production in the
East Texas Field.
Purpose:
The production reports record monthly production of salt water injection
wells. Other reports record water well injections, well status, well
operation, and wells off production.
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and conducts
seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees: railroad
safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium, and iron
ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Oil and Gas Division works to prevent the waste of
oil, gas, and geothermal resources and to prevent the pollution of fresh
water from oil and gas operations. The division holds statewide hearings
on market demand and provides for equitable production among operators
by establishing monthly production allowables. It issues drilling permits,
reviews and approves oil and gas well completions, collects data on
oil and gas operations, and promotes public safety. It also protects
underground drinking water through regulation of the underground injection
of fluids in oil field operations, a program approved by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. It oversees
well plugging operations, site remediation, underground hydrocarbon
storage, hazardous waste management; and maintains a large amount of
data on wells - their location, production, etc. The division also investigates
complaints and conducts investigations. This division maintains 10 district
offices where field enforcement and support personnel monitor oil and
gas operations. The commission does not have the authority to set oil
and gas prices at the wellhead. The departments within the Oil and Gas
Division are: Administration, Permitting/Production Services, Information
Management Services, Environmental Services, Compliance, and the Oil
Field Cleanup Operations Unit (including Site Remediation and Special
Response, and Well Plugging).
Arrangement: By type of report
Access constraints: None
Use constraints: None
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
No
Problems: None
Known related records in other agencies: None known
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission none were found for this series. There were several
requests submitted to destroyed paper records after microfilming for
likely related series:
Oil ledgers/oil production ledgers - several destruction
requests were submitted between June 1986 and April 1995 to destroy
paper records dating 1936-1978, 1983-1992.
Gas ledgers/gas production ledgers - several destruction
requests were submitted between June 1986 and April 1995 to destroy
paper records dating 1953-1966, 1983-1992.
Oil and gas production ledgers, district 9 - a
destruction request dated June 1986 to destroy paper records dating
1936-1978.
Publications based on records:
Some production data is in the annual report of the Oil and Gas Division,
Oil and Gas Division Annual Report, 1935-1936, 1939-[ongoing].
Series data from agency schedule: None, this is a defunct
series as it exists. Production data and well status is present in other
series on the RRC schedule. Those listed below are the most likely to
contain the data described in this series review.
Title: Oil and gas production reports
Series item number: none
Agency item number: 4.017
Archival code: none
Retention: 100 years
Title: Oil and gas status reports
Series item number: none
Agency item number: 4.018
Archival code: none
Retention: 100 years
Archival holdings:
Oil and Gas Division Annual Report, 1935-1936, 1939-1973.
Texas Documents Collection holdings:
Oil and Gas Annual Report, 1935-1936, 1939-1996
Gaps: Varies with the type of report. Monthly production
reports of salt water injection wells are only present for 1940-1946,
1948-1961 and only cover the East Texas Field. Water well injection
reports cover only 1940. Quarterly well status reports are present only
for 1937 and 1939, the report of wells off production covers only the
East Texas Field in 1939. Exact dates of the monthly well operation
reports are not present, but fall within the range of other reports,
1937-1946 and 1948-1961.
Appraisal decision:
There is a variety of data in the miscellaneous reports described in
this series. Most, but not all, of the data is related to the East Texas
Field. There are two series on the RRC schedule that appear to contain
most of this data - Oil and gas production reports and Oil
and gas status reports. Both currently have 100 year retention periods,
the production reports have been appraised as archival so they will
be permanent. Additionally, some production data is published in the
annual report of the Oil and Gas Division. The only item seemingly not
covered in another series is the survey of wells not in production in
the East Texas Field in 1939. I see no need to keep such a narrowly
focused item. The other data is contained in other series or publications
at the RRC. This series is not archival and is not to be transferred
to the Archives. If the RRC wishes to destroy the records, a "Request
for Authority to Dispose of State Records" (Form RMD 102) must be submitted
and receive approval. If the agency decides to retain the described
records, the series must be added to the agency's records retention
schedule.
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Records Series Review
Series Title:
Monthly operator reports, gas wells
Agency: Railroad Commission of Texas
Oil and Gas Division
Contact: Elsa Bosque
Obsolete record series? No
Ongoing record series? Yes, now part of the series Oil
and gas production reports
Agency holdings:
Retained in the Central Records area of the Oil and Gas Division at
agency headquarters. Records are dated 1924-1925 and consist of two
cubic feet.
Description:
These are monthly reports on gas wells submitted by operators, dating
1924-1925. The reports give the operator, name of the lease, well number,
survey, county, test data, tubing, number of days the well was used,
volume or potential capacity of the well, and amount of gas taken.
Purpose:
These provide a record of production of gas wells.
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and conducts
seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees: railroad
safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium, and iron
ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Oil and Gas Division works to prevent the waste of
oil, gas, and geothermal resources and to prevent the pollution of fresh
water from oil and gas operations. The division holds statewide hearings
on market demand and provides for equitable production among operators
by establishing monthly production allowables. It issues drilling permits,
reviews and approves oil and gas well completions, collects data on
oil and gas operations, and promotes public safety. It also protects
underground drinking water through regulation of the underground injection
of fluids in oil field operations, a program approved by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. It oversees
well plugging operations, site remediation, underground hydrocarbon
storage, hazardous waste management; and maintains a large amount of
data on wells - their location, production, etc. The division also investigates
complaints and conducts investigations. This division maintains 10 district
offices where field enforcement and support personnel monitor oil and
gas operations. The commission does not have the authority to set oil
and gas prices at the wellhead. The departments within the Oil and Gas
Division are: Administration, Permitting/Production Services, Information
Management Services, Environmental Services, Compliance, and the Oil
Field Cleanup Operations Unit (including Site Remediation and Special
Response, and Well Plugging).
Arrangement: Alphabetical by company.
Access constraints: None
Use constraints: None
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
No
Problems:
These reports were removed from the series Oil and gas production reports
at some point in the past for reasons unknown.
Known related records in other agencies: None
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission none were found for this series. There were several
requests submitted to destroyed paper records after microfilming for
likely related series:
Oil ledgers/oil production ledgers - several destruction
requests were submitted between June 1986 and April 1995 to destroy
paper records dating 1936-1978, 1983-1992.
Gas ledgers/gas production ledgers - several destruction
requests were submitted between June 1986 and April 1995 to destroy
paper records dating 1953-1966, 1983-1992.
Oil and gas production ledgers, district 9 - a
destruction request dated June 1986 to destroy paper records dating
1936-1978.
Publications based on records:
None, production reports were not produced during this time frame.
Series data from agency schedule: None, this is a defunct
series as it exists. It is know part of the following series:
Title: Oil and gas production reports
Series item number: none
Agency item number: 4.017
Archival code: none
Retention: 100 years
Archival holdings:
None in the holdings of the Archives and Information Services of the
Library and Archives Commission.
Texas Documents Collection holdings: None
Gaps: These only cover gas wells, reports are present
only for 1924-1925.
Appraisal decision:
These are monthly production reports of gas wells for 1924-1925. These
reports have historical value in documenting production of gas wells
during the early years of the oil and gas industry. Production reports
are part of the series Oil and gas production reports, a series
with a 100 year retention period that has also been appraised as archival.
According to the RRC, these particular reports have been microfilmed
as part of that series. The agency has the monthly operator gas reports
for 1924-[ongoing] on microfilm. We do not know when the reports were
filmed. If it was done prior to 1982, ANSI standards were not followed
and the film quality is suspect. The agency needs to check the date
of filming. If filmed in 1982 or later, this series is determined to
not be archival and is not to be transferred to the Archives since quality
microfilm exists. If filmed prior to 1982, the agency should either
refilm the records or transfer them to the Archives.
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Records Series Review
Series Title:
Light and fuel commingling reports
Agency: Railroad Commission of Texas
Oil and Gas Division
Contact: Elsa Bosque
Obsolete record series? Yes
Replaced by: unknown
Ongoing record series? No
Agency holdings:
Retained in the Central Records area of the Oil and Gas Division at
agency headquarters. Records are dated ca. 1940-1943 and comprise two
cubic feet.
Description:
This is a monthly report concerning residue for light and fuel at commingling
gas plants, dating ca. 1940-1943. Each report gives the operator, reservoir,
county, field, plant, survey, and the daily average intake and residue.
Purpose:
To provide the daily average intake and residue for light and fuel at
commingling gas plants.
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and conducts
seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees: railroad
safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium, and iron
ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Oil and Gas Division works to prevent the waste of
oil, gas, and geothermal resources and to prevent the pollution of fresh
water from oil and gas operations. The division holds statewide hearings
on market demand and provides for equitable production among operators
by establishing monthly production allowables. It issues drilling permits,
reviews and approves oil and gas well completions, collects data on
oil and gas operations, and promotes public safety. It also protects
underground drinking water through regulation of the underground injection
of fluids in oil field operations, a program approved by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. It oversees
well plugging operations, site remediation, underground hydrocarbon
storage, hazardous waste management; and maintains a large amount of
data on wells - their location, production, etc. The division also investigates
complaints and conducts investigations. This division maintains 10 district
offices where field enforcement and support personnel monitor oil and
gas operations. The commission does not have the authority to set oil
and gas prices at the wellhead. The departments within the Oil and Gas
Division are: Administration, Permitting/Production Services, Information
Management Services, Environmental Services, Compliance, and the Oil
Field Cleanup Operations Unit (including Site Remediation and Special
Response, and Well Plugging).
Arrangement: Topical by company.
Access constraints: None
Use constraints: None
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
No
Problems: None
Known related records in other agencies: None known
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission none were found for this series or for equivalent
or related series.
Publications based on records: None
Series data from agency schedule: None, this is a defunct
series.
Archival holdings:
None in the holdings of the Archives and Information Services of the
Library and Archives Commission.
Texas Documents Collection holdings: None
Gaps: No records are present prior to ca. 1940 or after
1943.
Appraisal decision:
These reports give the residue for light and fuel at commingling gas
plants. I was unable to find out anything more about this activity,
either from the agency or by checking oil and gas journals the Archives
holds from that period. The series only covers about a three year time
frame, leading me to believe the other years of data (if any existed)
for this information were disposed of long ago. Since the RRC has set
long retention periods for so many of their records, one would think
if this had long-term administrative or legal value, it would be on
the RRC schedule. This series is not archival and is not to be transferred
to the Archives. If the RRC wishes to destroy the records, a "Request
for Authority to Dispose of State Records" (Form RMD 102) must be submitted
and receive approval. If the agency decides to retain the described
records, the series must be added to the agency's records retention
schedule.
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Records Series Review
Series Title:
Bottom hole pressure reports
Agency: Railroad Commission of Texas
Oil and Gas Division
Contact: Elsa Bosque
Obsolete record series? Yes
Replaced by: unknown
Ongoing record series? No
Agency holdings:
Retained in the Central Records area of the Oil and Gas Division at
agency headquarters. Records are dated 1947, 1950-1952 and comprise
about two cubic feet.
Description:
These are dual completion bottom hole pressure (bhp) reports, semi-annual
bottom hole pressure reports, correspondence, affidavits, and sketches,
dating 1947, 1950-1952. Each dual completion report, dating 1947, gives
the company name, well number, production zone, perforations, elevation
date, casing/tubing size, depth of packer and choke, bottom hole temperature,
flow rate, pressure readings, and calculated bhp rate. The reports are
accompanied by correspondence with the Railroad Commission, sketches
of the dual completion installation in the well (depth of the well,
zones, size of tubing/casing), and packer setting affidavits. The affidavits
acknowledge the supervision of the setting of a packer. The purpose
of a packer was to effect a seal to prevent commingling in the bore
of the well of fluids produced above and below the stratum of the packer.
The semi-annual reports, dating 1950-1952, give the same basic information
as the dual completion reports and also provide the names of the pipeline
connections.
Bottom hole pressure, the pressure at the bottom of the
well, is a measure of the strength of the energy in the reservoir necessary
for oil and gas to be produced.
Purpose:
The reports provide bottom hole pressure readings. The sketches visually
record dual completion installations.
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and conducts
seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees: railroad
safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium, and iron
ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Oil and Gas Division works to prevent the waste of
oil, gas, and geothermal resources and to prevent the pollution of fresh
water from oil and gas operations. The division holds statewide hearings
on market demand and provides for equitable production among operators
by establishing monthly production allowables. It issues drilling permits,
reviews and approves oil and gas well completions, collects data on
oil and gas operations, and promotes public safety. It also protects
underground drinking water through regulation of the underground injection
of fluids in oil field operations, a program approved by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. It oversees
well plugging operations, site remediation, underground hydrocarbon
storage, hazardous waste management; and maintains a large amount of
data on wells - their location, production, etc. The division also investigates
complaints and conducts investigations. This division maintains 10 district
offices where field enforcement and support personnel monitor oil and
gas operations. The commission does not have the authority to set oil
and gas prices at the wellhead. The departments within the Oil and Gas
Division are: Administration, Permitting/Production Services, Information
Management Services, Environmental Services, Compliance, and the Oil
Field Cleanup Operations Unit (including Site Remediation and Special
Response, and Well Plugging).
Arrangement: Dual completion reports are filed topical
by company, then in reverse chronological order. Semi-annual reports
are filed alphabetically by field, then production zone, then in reverse
chronological order.
Access constraints: None
Use constraints: None
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
No
Problems: None
Known related records in other agencies: None
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission none were found for this series. There was a request
submitted to destroyed paper records after microfilming for likely related
series:
Bottom hole pressure reports (W-7) - a destruction
request was submitted in October 1986 to destroy paper records dating
1978-1985.
Publications based on records: None
Series data from agency schedule: None, this is a defunct
series. Pressure readings are present in several series, the most likely
to include at least some of this data is this series.
Title: Oil and gas status reports
Series item number: none
Agency item number: 4.018
Archival code: none
Retention: 100 years
Archival holdings:
None in the holdings of the Archives and Information Services of the
Library and Archives Commission.
Texas Documents Collection holdings: None
Gaps: Dual completion reports are only present for 1947.
Semi-annual reports only cover 1950-1952.
Appraisal decision:
This series covers very specific data ( bottom hole pressure) for a
short time period, 1947, 1950-1952. Some current series on the RRC schedule
contain pressure readings, likely including at least some of this data,
but specific coverage is only speculative. However, bottom hole pressure
readings covering only this short time period have little if any historic
value. Well status and production - related data, is covered in other
RRC series - Oil and gas status reports and Oil and gas production
reports. These series have 100 year retention periods, and all but
the status reports have been appraised to be archival. That is sufficient
coverage of this type of pressure data. This series is not archival
and is not to be transferred to the Archives. If the RRC wishes to destroy
the records, a "Request for Authority to Dispose of State Records" (Form
RMD 102) must be submitted and receive approval. If the agency decides
to retain the described records, the series must be added to the agency's
records retention schedule.
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Records Series Review
Series Title:
Stock and refinery reports
Agency: Railroad Commission of Texas
Oil and Gas Division
Contact: Elsa Bosque
Obsolete record series? No
Ongoing record series? Yes, data is now part of the series
Plants/refinery reports
Annual accumulation: none
Agency holdings:
Retained in the Central Records area of the Oil and Gas Division at
agency headquarters. Records are dated 1943-1948 and comprise two cubic
feet.
Description:
There are two sets of reports by the Railroad Commission in this series.
Stock reports show oil and gas stock on hand, refinery reports summarize
refinery operations. Dates covered are 1943-1948. The stock reports
show oil and gas stock for the month submitted and for the same month
of the previous year. Categories reported were refineries, pipeline
tank farms and terminals, oil in lines, gasoline recycling and repressuring
plants, and totals for each. Items reported in most categories were
crude, cracking stock, gasoline, kerosene dist.[?] - gas o.[?], fuel
oil, natural gasoline, miscellaneous products, and totals. The refinery
reports have the same items, but only show figures for the month reporting.
Categories in the refinery reports are amount at beginning of month,
receipts, runs to stills and/or blended, products manufactured, percent
recovery, losses and fuel used, deliveries, and storage at end of the
month.
Some data from the monthly refinery reports was summarized
and published in the annual report of the Oil and Gas Division. This
annual report is sent to the Publications Depository. Monthly refinery
reports and other reports containing data re: stock, storage, and cycling
operations are in the series Plants/refinery reports.
Purpose:
Stock reports provide the oil and gas stock in storage at refineries
and elsewhere. Refinery reports document refinery operations.
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and conducts
seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees: railroad
safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium, and iron
ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Oil and Gas Division works to prevent the waste of
oil, gas, and geothermal resources and to prevent the pollution of fresh
water from oil and gas operations. The division holds statewide hearings
on market demand and provides for equitable production among operators
by establishing monthly production allowables. It issues drilling permits,
reviews and approves oil and gas well completions, collects data on
oil and gas operations, and promotes public safety. It also protects
underground drinking water through regulation of the underground injection
of fluids in oil field operations, a program approved by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. It oversees
well plugging operations, site remediation, underground hydrocarbon
storage, hazardous waste management; and maintains a large amount of
data on wells - their location, production, etc. The division also investigates
complaints and conducts investigations. This division maintains 10 district
offices where field enforcement and support personnel monitor oil and
gas operations. The commission does not have the authority to set oil
and gas prices at the wellhead. The departments within the Oil and Gas
Division are: Administration, Permitting/Production Services, Information
Management Services, Environmental Services, Compliance, and the Oil
Field Cleanup Operations Unit (including Site Remediation and Special
Response, and Well Plugging).
Arrangement: Chronological by month, then by type of
report.
Access constraints: None
Use constraints: None
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
No
Problems: None
Known related records in other agencies: None
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission none were found for this series. There were several
requests submitted to destroyed paper records after microfilming for
likely related series, though the records destroyed are much later than
ones described in this series.
Monthly transportation and storage report (T-1)
- several destruction requests were submitted between March 1686 and
March 1698 to destroy paper records dating 1982-1997.
Monthly report and operations statement for refineries
(R-1) - several destruction requests were approved between March
1686 and April 1997 to destroy paper records dating 1982-1995.
Gas storage reports - a destruction request dated
March 1686 to destroy paper records dating 1982-1983.
Publications based on records:
Data from refinery operations is summed up annually and published in
Oil and Gas Division Annual Report. Stock on hand in various
systems was also published in the annual report.
Series data from agency schedule: None, this is a defunct
series as it exists. The series Plants/refinery reports has several
reports that contain data found in the records described in this series
review, including gas storage sheets, monthly refinery operation statements,
and the monthly transportation and storage reports.
Title: Plants/refinery reports
Series item number: none
Agency item number: 4.035
Archival code: none
Retention: 100 years
Archival holdings:
Oil and Gas Division Annual Report, 1935-1936, 1939-1973.
Texas Documents Collection holdings:
Oil and Gas Annual Report, 1935-1936, 1939-1996
Gaps: No records are present in this series prior to
1943 or after 1948.
Appraisal decision:
These are monthly statements of stock on hand and refinery operations.
Refinery operations and stock on hand are summarized in the annual report
of the Oil and Gas Division. Although the refinery files have long-term
administrative value to the agency by reporting on processing/treatment
operations in refineries, this information is not archival. The data
in the stock reports - stock on hand each month - does not have long-term
administrative value or archival value. This series is not archival
and is not to be transferred to the Archives. The RRC needs to microfilm
the refinery reports as they are a precursor to the current form used
to report refinery operations, form R-1. The microfilm files in the
series Plants/refinery reports begin in 1947. It may wish to
film the stock reports as they have a supplemental value to the refinery
reports. If the RRC wishes to destroy the records instead of filming
them, a "Request for Authority to Dispose of State Records" (Form RMD
102) must be submitted and receive approval. If the agency decides to
retain the described records, the record can be considered part of the
series Plants/refinery operations.
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Records Series Review
Series Title:
Reports, various oil and gas topics
Agency: Railroad Commission of Texas
Oil and Gas Division
Contact: Elsa Bosque
Obsolete record series? Yes
Replaced by: unknown
Ongoing record series? No
Agency holdings:
Retained in the Central Records area of the Oil and Gas Division at
agency headquarters. Records are dated ca. 1929-1941 and comprise about
1.5 cubic feet.
Description:
These are published reports from the U.S. Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Mines, dating ca. 1929-1941, covering various oil and gas
topics. Titles present include Report of Investigations, Analyses
of Crude Oils from Some Fields of Oklahoma and Properties of
Louisiana Crude Oils. Most of the reports do not cover Texas. This
series of reports are in the federal depository program. Copies were
located in the Documents Collection of the Library and Archives Commission.
Purpose:
These reports record U.S. Department of the Interior studies or activities
re: oil and gas topics.
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and conducts
seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees: railroad
safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium, and iron
ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Oil and Gas Division works to prevent the waste of
oil, gas, and geothermal resources and to prevent the pollution of fresh
water from oil and gas operations. The division holds statewide hearings
on market demand and provides for equitable production among operators
by establishing monthly production allowables. It issues drilling permits,
reviews and approves oil and gas well completions, collects data on
oil and gas operations, and promotes public safety. It also protects
underground drinking water through regulation of the underground injection
of fluids in oil field operations, a program approved by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. It oversees
well plugging operations, site remediation, underground hydrocarbon
storage, hazardous waste management; and maintains a large amount of
data on wells - their location, production, etc. The division also investigates
complaints and conducts investigations. This division maintains 10 district
offices where field enforcement and support personnel monitor oil and
gas operations. The commission does not have the authority to set oil
and gas prices at the wellhead. The departments within the Oil and Gas
Division are: Administration, Permitting/Production Services, Information
Management Services, Environmental Services, Compliance, and the Oil
Field Cleanup Operations Unit (including Site Remediation and Special
Response, and Well Plugging).
Arrangement: Topical
Access constraints: None
Use constraints: None
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
No
Problems: None
Known related records in other agencies:
U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines.
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission none were found for this series or for equivalent
or related series.
Publications based on records:
These reports are published.
Series data from agency schedule: None, this is a defunct
series.
Archival holdings:
None in the holdings of the Archives and Information Services of the
Library and Archives Commission.
Texas Documents Collection holdings:
The Documents Collection holds both of the reports listed in the description.
It appears to hold a complete, or nearly so, set of reports in this
series. Titles located were:
Report of Investigations, Analyses of Crude Oils from Some Fields
of Oklahoma and Properties of Louisiana Crude Oils.
Gaps: Reports in this series are only present ca. 1929-1941.
The Documents Collection holds a more complete set.
Appraisal decision:
These are published reports of the U.S. Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Mines. Most of the reports held by the RRC do not concern
Texas. The Documents Collection holds the two titles checked and appears
to have a complete, or nearly so, set of the reports. This series is
not archival and is not to be transferred to the Archives. If the RRC
wishes to destroy these reports it can do so as they are considered
reference materials. A "Request for Authority to Dispose of State Records"
(Form RMD 102) does not need to be submitted.
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Records Series Review
Series Title:
Tank bottom cleaning files
Agency: Railroad Commission of Texas
Oil and Gas Division
Contact: Elsa Bosque
Obsolete record series? Yes
Replaced by: unknown
Ongoing record series? No
Agency holdings:
Retained in the Central Records area of the Oil and Gas Division at
agency headquarters. Records are dated ca. 1942-ca. 1955 and comprise
one cubic foot.
Description:
These are records concerning permits issued for tank cleaning or operation
of storage tanks, dating ca. 1942-ca. 1955. Files contain copies of
temporary permits, notices of hearings, and memos re: hearings. Some
folders have the date the Commission acted on the permit request. Hearings
held concerning these issues should be covered in the series Hearing
files, orders issued should be in the series Notices and orders.
Purpose:
These record temporary permits issued for tank cleaning or operation
of storage tanks.
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and conducts
seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees: railroad
safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium, and iron
ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Oil and Gas Division works to prevent the waste of
oil, gas, and geothermal resources and to prevent the pollution of fresh
water from oil and gas operations. The division holds statewide hearings
on market demand and provides for equitable production among operators
by establishing monthly production allowables. It issues drilling permits,
reviews and approves oil and gas well completions, collects data on
oil and gas operations, and promotes public safety. It also protects
underground drinking water through regulation of the underground injection
of fluids in oil field operations, a program approved by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. It oversees
well plugging operations, site remediation, underground hydrocarbon
storage, hazardous waste management; and maintains a large amount of
data on wells - their location, production, etc. The division also investigates
complaints and conducts investigations. This division maintains 10 district
offices where field enforcement and support personnel monitor oil and
gas operations. The commission does not have the authority to set oil
and gas prices at the wellhead. The departments within the Oil and Gas
Division are: Administration, Permitting/Production Services, Information
Management Services, Environmental Services, Compliance, and the Oil
Field Cleanup Operations Unit (including Site Remediation and Special
Response, and Well Plugging).
Arrangement: unknown
Access constraints: None
Use constraints: None
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
No
Problems: None
Known related records in other agencies: None
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission none were found for this series. There were several
requests submitted to destroyed paper records after microfilming for
likely related series, though the records destroyed are much later than
ones described in this series.
Tank bottom and tank cleaning transportation authority
(P-9) - several destruction requests were submitted between December
1986 and September 1990 to destroy paper records dating 1984-1990.
Publications based on records: None
Series data from agency schedule: None, this is a defunct
series. Hearings conducted in the tank cleaning/tank operation cases
and orders approving permits should be covered in the series listed.
Title: Notices and orders - paper
Series item number: none
Agency item number: 4.006
Archival code: none
Retention: PM
Title: Notices and orders - microfilm
Series item number: none
Agency item number: 4.007
Archival code: none
Retention: 100
Title: Hearing files - paper
Series item number: none
Agency item number: 4.011
Archival code: none
Retention: PM
Title: Hearing files - microfilm
Series item number: none
Agency item number: 4.012
Archival code: none
Retention: 100
Archival holdings:
Any orders issued in these hearings should be found in the paper copies
of the older notices and orders, previously transferred to the Archives
as:
Original orders, 1928-1977, 49 linear ft. [paper
records]
Records present in this series include notices of hearings, original
orders, and special emergency rules, dating 1928-1977. Original orders
were issued by the Oil and Gas Division to govern the drilling of oil
and gas wells and the operation of the fields.
Texas Documents Collection holdings: None
Gaps: Records in this series only cover ca. 1942-ca.
1955.
Appraisal decision:
These files concern hearings held re: permit requests for tank cleaning
or operation of storage tanks. The files largely consist of memos about
the hearings, along with temporary permits and hearing notices. Hearings
held should be recorded in the series Hearing files, notices
and orders are in the series Notices and orders. No further documentation
of the tank cleaning files is needed. This series is not archival and
is not to be transferred to the Archives. If the RRC wishes to destroy
the records, a "Request for Authority to Dispose of State Records" (Form
RMD 102) must be submitted and receive approval. If the agency decides
to retain the described records, the series must be added to the agency's
records retention schedule.
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Records Series Review
Series Title:
Vacuum hearing files
Agency: Railroad Commission of Texas
Oil and Gas Division
Contact: Elsa Bosque
Obsolete record series? Yes
Replaced by: unknown
Ongoing record series? No
Agency holdings:
Retained in the Central Records area of the Oil and Gas Division at
agency headquarters. Records are dated 1932-1948 and comprise one cubic
foot.
Description:
These are hearings held on applications to install vacuums on leases,
dating 1932-1948. The files contain the application, correspondence
with the Railroad Commission, and either a letter or an order from the
RRC stating whether or not the application was approved. A vacuum is
used to secure a greater volume of gas to be used for recycling into
the pay formation under pressure. Another series of old records reviewed
in this appraisal report, Orders, has orders from vacuum hearings
dating 1935-1948.
Purpose:
These record Railroad Commission decisions on vacuum applications.
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and conducts
seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees: railroad
safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium, and iron
ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Oil and Gas Division works to prevent the waste of
oil, gas, and geothermal resources and to prevent the pollution of fresh
water from oil and gas operations. The division holds statewide hearings
on market demand and provides for equitable production among operators
by establishing monthly production allowables. It issues drilling permits,
reviews and approves oil and gas well completions, collects data on
oil and gas operations, and promotes public safety. It also protects
underground drinking water through regulation of the underground injection
of fluids in oil field operations, a program approved by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. It oversees
well plugging operations, site remediation, underground hydrocarbon
storage, hazardous waste management; and maintains a large amount of
data on wells - their location, production, etc. The division also investigates
complaints and conducts investigations. This division maintains 10 district
offices where field enforcement and support personnel monitor oil and
gas operations. The commission does not have the authority to set oil
and gas prices at the wellhead. The departments within the Oil and Gas
Division are: Administration, Permitting/Production Services, Information
Management Services, Environmental Services, Compliance, and the Oil
Field Cleanup Operations Unit (including Site Remediation and Special
Response, and Well Plugging).
Arrangement: Arranged by district number, then alphabetical
by operator.
Access constraints: None
Use constraints: None
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
No
Problems: None
Known related records in other agencies: None
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission none were found for this series or for equivalent
or related series.
Publications based on records: None
Series data from agency schedule: None, this is a defunct
series. Orders issued by the RRC on the status of the application may
be covered in the notices and orders series. Whether or not this type
of application decision was part of that series is unknown.
Title: Notices and orders - paper
Series item number: none
Agency item number: 4.006
Archival code: none
Retention: PM
Title: Notices and orders - microfilm
Series item number: none
Agency item number: 4.007
Archival code: none
Retention: 100
Archival holdings:
The Archives does hold the original paper orders of the Railroad Commission
dating 1928-1977. A sampling was done of orders in the 1930s looking
for orders re: vacuum hearings, none were located.
Texas Documents Collection holdings: None
Gaps: Records in this series only cover 1932-1948.
Appraisal decision:
These files document RRC decisions re: requests to install vacuums on
leases. The files contain either the order issued by the RRC or a letter
in lieu of an order stating whether or not the RRC approved the request.
Orders by the RRC are in the series Notices and orders. There
is also a series of orders in the old records reviewed in the report
that has orders re: vacuum hearings for 1935-1948, titled Orders.
Those particular vacuum orders, 1935-1948, were likely removed from
the current series Notices and orders. The orders in both series
of orders (Orders, Notices and orders) have been appraised to
be archival. The orders provide sufficient coverage of the vacuum hearings.
The vacuum application and hearing files do not have any administrative
value nor do they have sufficient value to warrant archival retention.
However, the vacuum orders do not cover the full range of dates in this
series of vacuum application files. Therefore, the box of vacuum hearing
files will be transferred to the Archives and we will remove files for
1932-1935 since the vacuum files contain a copy of the order or a letter
stating whether the application was approved. The remaining files will
be discarded.
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Records Series Review
Series Title:
Gas potential test files
Agency: Railroad Commission of Texas
Oil and Gas Division
Contact: Elsa Bosque
Obsolete record series? No
Ongoing record series? Probably, part of this series
is likely contained in the series Oil and gas status reports
Annual accumulation: none
Agency holdings:
Retained in the Central Records area of the Oil and Gas Division at
agency headquarters. Records are dated 1933-1937 and comprise one cubic
foot.
Description:
This series contains gas potential test forms and correspondence with
the Railroad Commission concerning gas purchases, gas allowables, and
gas potential tests. Dates covered are 1933-1937.Each test form gives
the district, field, county, location of well, operator, lease, acres,
well number, depth, casing size, tubing size, completion date, initial
open flow, initial well-head pressure, pipeline company, and test data
re: the open flow and the specific gravity.
Purpose:
These document interaction of the RRC with the oil and gas industry
re: gas potential testing, gas allowables, and gas purchases.
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and conducts
seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees: railroad
safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium, and iron
ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Oil and Gas Division works to prevent the waste of
oil, gas, and geothermal resources and to prevent the pollution of fresh
water from oil and gas operations. The division holds statewide hearings
on market demand and provides for equitable production among operators
by establishing monthly production allowables. It issues drilling permits,
reviews and approves oil and gas well completions, collects data on
oil and gas operations, and promotes public safety. It also protects
underground drinking water through regulation of the underground injection
of fluids in oil field operations, a program approved by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. It oversees
well plugging operations, site remediation, underground hydrocarbon
storage, hazardous waste management; and maintains a large amount of
data on wells - their location, production, etc. The division also investigates
complaints and conducts investigations. This division maintains 10 district
offices where field enforcement and support personnel monitor oil and
gas operations. The commission does not have the authority to set oil
and gas prices at the wellhead. The departments within the Oil and Gas
Division are: Administration, Permitting/Production Services, Information
Management Services, Environmental Services, Compliance, and the Oil
Field Cleanup Operations Unit (including Site Remediation and Special
Response, and Well Plugging).
Arrangement: Arranged topically by district, then field,
then in reverse chronological order.
Access constraints: None
Use constraints: None
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
No
Problems: None
Known related records in other agencies: None
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission none were found for this series or for equivalent
or related series.
Publications based on records: None
Series data from agency schedule: None, this is a defunct
series as it exists. The series Oil and gas status reports is
related to the gas potential tests. Similar data is found in each series.
Title: Oil and gas status reports
Series item number: none
Agency item number: 4.018
Archival code: none
Retention: 100 years
Archival holdings:
None in the holdings of the Archives and Information Services of the
Library and Archives Commission.
Texas Documents Collection holdings: None
Gaps: No records are present prior to 1933 or after 1937.
Appraisal decision:
This series primarily concerns testing of gas wells to determine their
production potential. A current series on the retention schedule contains
test data from gas wells, dating from 1930, see Oil and gas status
reports. This series has a 100 year retention period, more than
sufficient to document testing of gas wells. The correspondence in the
series concerning gas purchases and gas allowables is routine correspondence
and does not require further documentation. This series is not archival
and is not to be transferred to the Archives. If the RRC wishes to destroy
the records, a "Request for Authority to Dispose of State Records" (Form
RMD 102) must be submitted and receive approval. If the agency decides
to retain the described records, the series must be added to the agency's
records retention schedule.
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Records Series Review
Series Title:
Refinery audit material
Agency: Railroad Commission of Texas
Oil and Gas Division
Contact: Elsa Bosque
Obsolete record series? Yes
Replaced by: unknown
Ongoing record series? No
Agency holdings:
Retained in the Central Records area of the Oil and Gas Division at
agency headquarters. Records are dated 1931-1940 and comprise about
0.5 cubic feet.
Description:
These are audit materials of refinery operations, dating 1931-1940.
Types of materials present include lists of employees, receipts of barrels
of oil, adjustments to inventory, and delivery balances. The delivery
balances were usually done monthly for several months of the year. Much
of the information in the reports is statistical and presented in table
format. Also present is correspondence with the RRC about figures introduced
and questions to be answered. The audits appear to cover overproduction
and allowables.
Purpose:
These audit refinery operations.
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and conducts
seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees: railroad
safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium, and iron
ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Oil and Gas Division works to prevent the waste of
oil, gas, and geothermal resources and to prevent the pollution of fresh
water from oil and gas operations. The division holds statewide hearings
on market demand and provides for equitable production among operators
by establishing monthly production allowables. It issues drilling permits,
reviews and approves oil and gas well completions, collects data on
oil and gas operations, and promotes public safety. It also protects
underground drinking water through regulation of the underground injection
of fluids in oil field operations, a program approved by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. It oversees
well plugging operations, site remediation, underground hydrocarbon
storage, hazardous waste management; and maintains a large amount of
data on wells - their location, production, etc. The division also investigates
complaints and conducts investigations. This division maintains 10 district
offices where field enforcement and support personnel monitor oil and
gas operations. The commission does not have the authority to set oil
and gas prices at the wellhead. The departments within the Oil and Gas
Division are: Administration, Permitting/Production Services, Information
Management Services, Environmental Services, Compliance, and the Oil
Field Cleanup Operations Unit (including Site Remediation and Special
Response, and Well Plugging).
Arrangement: Topical by company, then in reverse chronological
order within the folders.
Access constraints: None
Use constraints: None
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
No
Problems: None
Known related records in other agencies: None
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission none were found for this series or for equivalent
or related series.
Publications based on records:
Data from refinery operations is summed up annually and published in
Oil and Gas Division Annual Report.
Series data from agency schedule: None, this is a defunct
series.
Archival holdings:
Oil and Gas Division Annual Report, 1935-1936, 1939-1973.
Texas Documents Collection holdings:
Oil and Gas Annual Report, 1935-1936, 1939-1996.
Gaps: No records are present in this series prior to
1931 or after 1940.
Appraisal decision:
These records were used by the RRC to audit refinery operations, especially
overproduction and allowables. A summary of refinery operations is published
annually in the Oil and Gas Division Annual Report, which is
sufficient coverage of their operations. These reports date from 1931.
Audits of refinery operations have short-term administrative value and
no real historical value. This series is not archival and is not to
be transferred to the Archives. If the RRC wishes to destroy the records,
a "Request for Authority to Dispose of State Records" (Form RMD 102)
must be submitted and receive approval. If the agency decides to retain
the described records, the series must be added to the agency's records
retention schedule.
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Records Series Review
Series Title:
Air or gas lift forms
Agency: Railroad Commission of Texas
Oil and Gas Division
Contact: Elsa Bosque
Obsolete record series? Yes
Replaced by: none
Ongoing record series? No
Agency holdings:
Retained in the Central Records area of the Oil and Gas Division at
agency headquarters. Records are dated 1936-1947 and comprise four cubic
feet.
Description:
These are air or gas lift forms, dating 1936-1947. The data provided
includes the operator, field, lease, name of lift device used, type
of system, input/output pressure, size of tubing, packer, date of installation,
and a description or sketch of proposed lift hookup. Later reports have
a more detailed description of the lift device as opposed to a sketch;
some correspondence is also present.
Purpose:
These describe and document lift devices used in well operations.
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and conducts
seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees: railroad
safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium, and iron
ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Oil and Gas Division works to prevent the waste of
oil, gas, and geothermal resources and to prevent the pollution of fresh
water from oil and gas operations. The division holds statewide hearings
on market demand and provides for equitable production among operators
by establishing monthly production allowables. It issues drilling permits,
reviews and approves oil and gas well completions, collects data on
oil and gas operations, and promotes public safety. It also protects
underground drinking water through regulation of the underground injection
of fluids in oil field operations, a program approved by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. It oversees
well plugging operations, site remediation, underground hydrocarbon
storage, hazardous waste management; and maintains a large amount of
data on wells - their location, production, etc. The division also investigates
complaints and conducts investigations. This division maintains 10 district
offices where field enforcement and support personnel monitor oil and
gas operations. The commission does not have the authority to set oil
and gas prices at the wellhead. The departments within the Oil and Gas
Division are: Administration, Permitting/Production Services, Information
Management Services, Environmental Services, Compliance, and the Oil
Field Cleanup Operations Unit (including Site Remediation and Special
Response, and Well Plugging).
Arrangement: Topical by field.
Access constraints: None
Use constraints: None
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
No
Problems: None
Known related records in other agencies: None
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission none were found for this series or for equivalent
or related series.
Publications based on records: None
Series data from agency schedule: None, this is a defunct
series.
Archival holdings:
None in the holdings of the Archives and Information Services of the
Library and Archives Commission.
Texas Documents Collection holdings: None
Gaps: No records are present prior to 1936 or after 1947.
Appraisal decision:
These files describe air or gas lift devices used in well operations,
presumably in the pumping device. I was unable to find out anything
more about this function, either from the agency or by checking oil
and gas journals the Archives' holds from that period. This data may
have some historic value in documenting the mechanics of pumping operations
in early years of the oil and gas industry. However, such technology
was not limited to Texas, operations should be documented elsewhere.
I do not see any long-term value in this information nor do I see any
series on the RRC schedule where this data might be found today. The
records cover a 13 year time frame, leading me to believe the other
years of data (if any existed) were disposed of long ago. Since the
RRC has set long retention periods for so many of their records, one
would think if this had long-term administrative or legal value, it
would be on the RRC schedule. This series is not archival and is not
to be transferred to the Archives. If the RRC wishes to destroy the
records, a "Request for Authority to Dispose of State Records" (Form
RMD 102) must be submitted and receive approval. If the agency decides
to retain the described records, the series must be added to the agency's
records retention schedule.
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Records Series Review
Series Title:
Pipeline hearings and miscellaneous data
Agency: Railroad Commission of Texas
Oil and Gas Division or Gas Services Division
Contact: Elsa Bosque
Obsolete record series? Yes
Replaced by: The series of hearing/litigation files these records were
taken from is unknown.
Ongoing record series? No
Agency holdings:
Retained in the Central Records area of the Oil and Gas Division at
agency headquarters. Records are dated ca. 1957 and comprise about 15
cubic feet.
Description:
This series contains exhibits used in pipeline hearings, cover letters,
and letters to the Railroad Commission containing data about companies'
business operations, structures, etc. Dates covered are ca. 1957. Exhibits
include county surveys and/or ownership plats showing oil and gas features;
lists of lease holders/leases connected, giving description, property
number, operator, date connected, location; lists of pipeline companies
and wells, giving property number, operator, description, county, number
of wells, allowable for the year, and runs for the year; and lists of
properties connected to pipeline gathering line facilities. Cover letters
are from the company to the RRC and contain supplemental data, giving
the RRC order number, date, cause, and oil and gas docket number. Additional
letters to the RRC contain information requested by the commission for
the conduct of the cases, such as business operations, company structure,
cost of installation, and pipeline extension data.
Purpose:
These serve as a record of evidence presented to the Railroad Commission
during pipeline hearings.
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and conducts
seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees: railroad
safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium, and iron
ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Oil and Gas Division works to prevent the waste of
oil, gas, and geothermal resources and to prevent the pollution of fresh
water from oil and gas operations. The division holds statewide hearings
on market demand and provides for equitable production among operators
by establishing monthly production allowables. It issues drilling permits,
reviews and approves oil and gas well completions, collects data on
oil and gas operations, and promotes public safety. It also protects
underground drinking water through regulation of the underground injection
of fluids in oil field operations, a program approved by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. It oversees
well plugging operations, site remediation, underground hydrocarbon
storage, hazardous waste management; and maintains a large amount of
data on wells - their location, production, etc. The division also investigates
complaints and conducts investigations. This division maintains 10 district
offices where field enforcement and support personnel monitor oil and
gas operations. The commission does not have the authority to set oil
and gas prices at the wellhead. The departments within the Oil and Gas
Division are: Administration, Permitting/Production Services, Information
Management Services, Environmental Services, Compliance, and the Oil
Field Cleanup Operations Unit (including Site Remediation and Special
Response, and Well Plugging).
The Gas Services Division works to ensure that a continuous
safe supply of gas is available to Texas consumers at the lowest, reasonable
rates. The division establishes rates and services that are fair and
reasonable for gas utilities and their customers; enforces those rates;
maintains safety standards in the gas and hazardous liquids pipeline
systems throughout the state by inspection and investigation of any
hazards or accidents; oversees intrastate gathering and storage services;
and adopts and maintains adequate safety rules and standards in the
handling, transportation, and odorization of LP-gases (liquefied petroleum
gases) for dealers, handlers, and consumers. It further regulates propane
and compressed natural gas by requiring anyone working with these gases
to pass a written qualifying exam administered by the Commission. The
division also focuses on regulatory policy and analysis as well as identifying
and eliminating natural gas transportation problems. There are four
main sections in this division - Audit, Liquefied Petroleum Gas, Pipeline
Safety, and Regulatory and Analysis.
Arrangement: By case number.
Access constraints: None
Use constraints: None
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
No
Problems:
These files were removed from the series Hearing files or Gas
utilities litigation files sometime in the past, possibly because
of the type of case, actual reason for removal is unknown.
Known related records in other agencies: None
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission none were found for this series or for equivalent
or related series.
Publications based on records: None
Series data from agency schedule: None, this is a defunct
series. Pipeline hearings are hearing files, either part of the series
Hearing files or the series Gas utilities litigation files.
Title: Hearing files - paper
Series item number: none
Agency item number: 4.011
Archival code: none
Retention: PM
Title: Hearing files - microfilm
Series item number: none
Agency item number: 4.012
Archival code: none
Retention: 100
Title: Gas utilities docket files/transcripts/exhibits
Series item number: none
Agency item number: 5.089
Archival code: none
Retention: AC+1 (paper)
Title: Litigation files (gas utilities dockets)
Series item number: 1.1.048
Agency item number: 5.090
Archival code: R
Retention: 100 years (microfilm)
Title: Gas utilities docket transcripts/exhibits
Series item number: none
Agency item number: 5.091
Archival code: none
Retention: 10 years (microfilm)
Archival holdings:
None in the holdings of the Archives and Information Services of the
Library and Archives Commission.
Texas Documents Collection holdings: None
Gaps: Records cover only ca. 1957.
Appraisal decision:
These are hearing files concerning a specific type of hearing over a
narrow time frame. At some point these files were part of a series of
hearing files, either hearing files of the Oil and Gas Division or the
litigation files of the Gas Utilities Division. The nature of the exhibits
present in the pipeline hearing files is more in line with exhibits
found in the series Hearing files. The agency needs to review
these files and determine which series they belong with. If Hearing
files, the RRC considers them permanent and they have been appraised
to be archival. If they are part of the series Gas utilities docket
transcripts/exhibits, the series of litigation files in the Gas
Utilities Division containing the exhibits, they have a 10 year retention
period. Once the correct series is determined, the files need to be
placed with other records in that series. If they are the gas utilities
exhibit files, their retention period is fulfilled and they can be discarded.
If hearing files, the agency needs to see if they were microfilmed in
the past, if not, they should be filmed. Once microfilmed, the records
can be filed with the other records in the hearing series.
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Records Series Review
Series Title:
Administrative correspondence
Agency: Railroad Commission of Texas
Rail Division
Contact: Ana Kirk
Obsolete record series? No
Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: three inches
Agency holdings:
Original paper record is retained for three years after the end of the
calendar year. Current holdings are dated 1997-[ongoing], comprising
less than one cubic foot. Records are maintained in the Rail Division
at agency headquarters.
Description:
These are memos to and from rail safety inspectors and administrative
personnel, and between Commissioners, the division director, and senior
management personnel, dating 1997-[ongoing]. Topics covered include
policies, procedures, current issues, federal and state rail safety
regulations, work tasks and assignments, etc., most relative to the
administration of the rail safety program. Some memos pertain to the
rail safety program exclusively and deal with inspection activities
and enforcement of regulations. Other memos focus on procedural and
administrative matters of the Rail Division.
At one time, the web page of the Rail Division provided
a great deal of information about the rail safety and rail planning
activities of the division and had several sets of statistical compilations
about rail safety. See http://www.rrc.state.tx.us/divisions/rail/rail.html.
Purpose:
Correspondence records communications among staff relative to the administration
of the rail safety program and the administration of the Rail Division.
Agency program:
Created in 1891, the Texas Railroad Commission was the first regulatory
agency in the State of Texas (House Bills 1,2, and 58, 22nd Legislature,
Regular Session). It originally had jurisdiction over the rates and
operations of railroads, terminals, wharves and express companies. The
legal focus was on intrastate passenger and freight activities. Interstate
jurisdiction fell under the U.S. Interstate Commerce Commission. For
the first twenty-five years of its existence, the Railroad Commission
was largely concerned with regulating railroads, setting rates, receiving
complaints, and making investigations. As other controversies arose
where the Legislature deemed that the public interest could best be
served by regulation, additional duties were assigned to the Railroad
Commission.
The Commission's authority over railroads diminished
over the latter half of the twentieth century. The Federal Railroad
Safety Act of 1970 vested rail safety responsibilities in the Federal
Railroad Administration. In 1980, the Federal Staggers Rail Act largely
eliminated the Commission's responsibility for setting rates for intrastate
railroads. By 1984, the Commission ceased its role in the economic regulation
of the Texas rail industry. Regulatory powers over rail safety were
granted to the agency in 1985 when the 69th Legislature authorized the
Commission to implement a rail safety program in conjunction with the
Federal Railroad Administration Act of 1970 (Senate Bill 444, 69th Legislature,
Regular Session).
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry
to prevent the waste of resources and to protect property rights and
the environment. It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural
gas pipelines and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed
natural gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and
conducts seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees:
railroad safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium,
and iron ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Rail Division is responsible for checking equipment
and track, railroad and signal operations, and hazardous material handling;
conducting investigations of accidents and complaints concerning railroads;
and securing federal funds to improve branch lines and preserve rail
service to rural areas. The Division enforces rules aimed at removing
obstructions on railroad rights-of-way and operates a crossing safety
education program. There are two main sections in this division - Rail
Safety and Rail Planning.
Arrangement: Alphabetical by correspondent, then chronological.
Access constraints: None
Use constraints: None
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
No
Problems:
This is an agency-wide series described by five divisions/offices. We
are describing it separately for each, so it will appear in this report
five times.
Known related records in other agencies: None
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission and none were found for this series or for equivalent
or related series.
Publications based on records: None
Internet pages based on records:
General information page about the Rail Division activities: http://www.rrc.state.tx.us/divisions/rail/rail.html
Series data from agency schedule:
Title: Administrative correspondence
Series item number: 1.1.007
Agency item number: A.007
Archival code: R
Retention: CE+3
Archival holdings:
The Archives holds several series of correspondence and reports concerning
early activities of the Railroad Commission in carrying out its function
of regulating railroads, dating from 1891-1948. They are only marginally
related to the series of correspondence under review since the current
records primarily concern rail safety and not all railroad regulation
issues.
Texas Documents Collection holdings: None
Gaps: No records present in this series prior to 1997.
Appraisal decision:
The correspondence documents internal communications concerning the
administration of the Rail Division, primarily its rail safety program,
rail inspections, and enforcement of regulations. Much of the correspondence
is of a general administrative nature concerning the operation of the
Rail Division, whose primary function is the rail safety program. Division
activities are noted in the Legislative Appropriation Requests and the
Strategic Plans. The correspondence has short-term administrative value
to the agency as it covers internal matters of the division, and little,
if any long-term value. Even though there is not a great deal of documentation
in agency reports about the activities of this division, the Archives
does not feel this series of correspondence would provide sufficient
coverage of the rail programs to warrant permanent retention in the
Archives. The administrative rules and what statistics are in the Legislative
Appropriation Request and the Strategic Plan document what this division
does adequately. This series has been appraised to be non-archival.
Add this series to the section of the retention schedule containing
records of the Rail Division with an archival code of E and add the
following note to the Remarks column for this series - "Archival
review code removed subsequent to appraisal by the Archives and Information
Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission, March 16,
2001."
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Records Series Review
Series Title:
Geographic Information System, rail maps layer
Agency: Railroad Commission
Rail Division (maps are digitized by the Oil and Gas Division)
Contact: Ana Kirk
Obsolete record series? No
Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: not applicable
Agency holdings:
This is a layer of maps in a Geographic Information System. Earliest
dates of some data in this layer are unknown, such as the dates of U.S.G.S.
topographic maps. Rail data on the maps is dated in the 1990s. This
series is not on the retention schedule yet and thus does not have an
assigned retention period.
Description:
This is a layer of maps in the Geographic Information System (GIS) of
the Railroad Division, providing railroad lines, rail owners, and rail
inspectors' territory. Dates of the rail data in this layer of maps
are the 1990s. Base map information was obtained directly from U.S.
Geological Survey 7.5 minute quadrangle maps. Rail data was added from
records in the RRC. The rail maps feature county boundaries, a few cities
and towns, the railroad lines, and rail inspector's territory. The railroad
lines are color coded to show line owners. No paper copies are maintained
in this series. Current sets of paper maps showing rail inspection territory
and rail lines are in the series Maps, territory, rail safety inspection
(5.013).
Maps are produced upon demand, often for the public.
Digital data can be purchased. The agency is in the process of migrating
the GIS to ARCINFO software. RRC staff are preparing metadata for this
layer of maps, but it has not yet been integrated into the GIS. There
are two other layers of map data in the GIS. Map data produced by the
Oil and Gas Division is in the series Geographic Information Services
system, oil and gas map layer (not on schedule). Pipeline data produced
by the Gas Services Division is in the series Digital data pipeline
map files - electronic (5.073).
Digital access to maps in the GIS is available through
the agency directly or through its website, see http://www.rrc.state.tx.us/maps/index.html.
Purpose:
This system graphically illustrates rail lines in the state and rail
inspection territory assigned to rail inspectors.
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
gas, and liquefied natural gas, including licensing and conducting seminars
for dealers and their employees. It also oversees railroad safety and
rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium, and iron ore gravel;
and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. The three Commissioners direct
the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Rail Division is responsible for checking equipment
and track, railroad and signal operations, and hazardous material handling;
conducting investigations of accidents and complaints concerning railroads;
and securing federal funds to improve branch lines and preserve rail
service to rural areas. The Division enforces rules aimed at removing
obstructions on railroad rights-of-way and operates a crossing safety
education program. There are two main sections in this division - Rail
Safety and Rail Planning.
Arrangement: not applicable, this is a database.
Access constraints: None
Use constraints: Public access available through the
Information Technology Services Division and the Internet. Digital data
can be purchased through ITS.
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
No
Problems:
The agency needs to finish creating its metadata and fully integrate
it into the GIS system for this map layer. And, the agency needs to
consider taking snapshots of the data at various points in time.
Known related records in other agencies:
Complete sets of U.S.G.S. maps are found in several locations, including
the U.S. Department of the Interior, the Perry Castenada Library, etc.
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission and none were found for this series or for equivalent
or related series.
Publications based on records: None
Internet pages based on records at one time, but no longer
present:
Page showing the Texas Railroads Map: http://www.rrc.state.tx.us/divisions/rail/rail_map.html
Page showing the Rural Rail Transportation Districts: http://www.rrc.state.tx.us/divisions/rail/rural2rail.gif
Suggested series data from state retention schedule:
Title: Geographic Information System, rail maps layer
Series item number: none
Agency item number: none
Archival code: none
Retention: AV
Archival holdings:
None in the holdings of the Archives and Information Services Division
of the Library and Archives Commission.
Texas Documents Collection holdings: None
Gaps: None known
Appraisal decision:
This data ties in with the GIS layers described in other series, see
Geographic Information System, oil and gas maps layer (not on
schedule) and Digital data pipeline map files - electronic (5.073).
There is value in the rail lines information, especially since it includes
the owners. The Archives does get requests for railroad maps showing
rail line owners and the Archives has very few. The maps in the rail
layer of the GIS have been appraised as archival. The agency needs to
add this series to the schedule with an archival code of A. We are not
currently accepting electronic records at the Library and Archives Commission.
At some point in the future if we begin to accept such files, we will
apprise the RRC on the steps necessary to migrate the system and the
data to the Archives. For now, the RRC needs to comply with 13 Texas
Administrative Code, Section 6.95 (b), on the Final Disposition of Electronic
Records, as follows: "An electronic state record that is an archival
record must be maintained by the agency through hardware and software
migrations and upgrades as authentic evidence of the state's business
in accessible and searchable form, except as otherwise determined by
the state archivist." It also needs to keep the metadata and data
dictionaries current. A copy of the database should be made regularly
to document the data as it existed. We request a paper copy of rail
maps within the GIS, either on the county or state level, showing rail
lines and owners now and every ten years thereafter.
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Records Series Review
Series Title:
Railroad abandonments
Agency: Railroad Commission of Texas
Rail Division
Contact: Mike Jones
Obsolete record series? Yes
Replaced by: None
Ongoing record series? No
Agency holdings:
Original paper record is retained for 25 years according to the retention
schedule. Actual dates covered are 1960-1999, comprising four cubic
feet. Records are maintained in the Rail Division at agency headquarters.
Description:
These are filings by railroads with the Interstate Commerce Commission
and/or Safety Transportation Board in federal proceedings (the State
of Texas was not involved), decisions of the ICC/STC, plus miscellaneous
documents pertaining to those proceedings. The records concern the abandonment
of railroad lines. Dates covered are 1960-1999. There are no original
RRC records in the abandonment files. Filings were made through the
Interstate Commerce Commission and/or the Safety Transportation Board
- the filings should be at those agencies if they have been retained.
Holdings of federal agencies in regard to these proceedings is unknown.
Purpose:
According to Rail Division staff, the abandonment files serve no relevant
purpose at the RRC since the state rail plan was published in 1979.
Prior to that date, the records had marginal value in the rail planning
process serving as research materials for hired consultants.
Agency program:
Created in 1891, the Texas Railroad Commission was the first regulatory
agency in the State of Texas (House Bills 1,2, and 58, 22nd Legislature,
Regular Session). It originally had jurisdiction over the rates and
operations of railroads, terminals, wharves and express companies. The
legal focus was on intrastate passenger and freight activities. Interstate
jurisdiction fell under the U.S. Interstate Commerce Commission. For
the first twenty-five years of its existence, the Railroad Commission
was largely concerned with regulating railroads, setting rates, receiving
complaints, and making investigations. As other controversies arose
where the Legislature deemed that the public interest could best be
served by regulation, additional duties were assigned to the Railroad
Commission.
The Commission's authority over railroads diminished
over the latter half of the twentieth century. The Federal Railroad
Safety Act of 1970 vested rail safety responsibilities in the Federal
Railroad Administration. In 1980, the Federal Staggers Rail Act largely
eliminated the Commission's responsibility for setting rates for intrastate
railroads. By 1984, the Commission ceased its role in the economic regulation
of the Texas rail industry. Regulatory powers over rail safety were
granted to the agency in 1985 when the 69th Legislature authorized the
Commission to implement a rail safety program in conjunction with the
Federal Railroad Administration Act of 1970 (Senate Bill 444, 69th Legislature,
Regular Session).
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry
to prevent the waste of resources and to protect property rights and
the environment. It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural
gas pipelines and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed
natural gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and
conducts seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees:
railroad safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium,
and iron ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Rail Division is responsible for checking equipment
and track, railroad and signal operations, and hazardous material handling;
conducting investigations of accidents and complaints concerning railroads;
and securing federal funds to improve branch lines and preserve rail
service to rural areas. The Division enforces rules aimed at removing
obstructions on railroad rights-of-way and operates a crossing safety
education program. There are two main sections in this division - Rail
Safety and Rail Planning.
Arrangement: Unknown
Access constraints: None
Use constraints: None
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
No
Problems: None
Known related records in other agencies:
Interstate Commerce Commission or the Safety Transportation Board have
(or had) the original records. Whether the agencies still hold these
files is unknown.
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission and none were found for this series or for equivalent
or related series.
Publications based on records: None
Series data from agency schedule:
Title: Railroad abandonments
Series item number: none
Agency item number: 5.019
Archival code: R
Retention: 25 years
Archival holdings:
None in the holdings of the Archives and Information Services of the
Library and Archives Commission.
Texas Documents Collection holdings:
None based on these records. The Documents Collections does hold a related
publication, the State Rail Plan, 1979, and several updates,
dated 1981, 1982-1983, and 1984-1985.
Gaps: None according to the agency.
Appraisal decision:
The abandonment filings provide some documentation on railroad lines
abandoned in Texas. This information has also been reported in the annual
reports of railroad companies. The files are in fact federal records
of abandonment filings and proceedings used as reference files by the
Railroad Commission. They do not have any administrative value to the
Railroad Commission outside of documenting over a period of time when
lines were abandoned, thus the 25 year retention period. Since this
data is also available in the annual reports of railroad companies that
have already been appraised as archival the Archives does not need to
acquire the abandonment files. This series has been appraised to be
non-archival. Remove the archival code of R from the retention schedule.
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Records Series Review
Series Title:
Annual reports, railroad companies
Agency: Railroad Commission
Rail Division
Contacts: Ana Kirk or Mike Jones
Obsolete record series? No
Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: several inches
Agency holdings:
Original paper record is retained in the Rail Division at agency headquarters
for three years, then transferred to the Library and Archives Commission.
Dates covered are 1997-[ongoing], comprising about one cubic feet
Description:
These are annual reports of railroad companies operating in Texas that
were required by the Railroad Commission. Dates of reports at the agency
are 1997-[ongoing]. The Archives holds the reports dating back to 1859.
Each report provides the company's organization, operation, and financial
condition. Other data present may include names of officers and directors,
incorporation data, capital stock, funded debt, property owned or leased,
employees and salaries, number of passengers, amount of freight transported,
mileage of track operated, and injuries to persons or other accidents.
Recent changes in federal law removed the requirement
that rail companies file the annual reports with the Railroad Commission.
RRC staff think the larger rail companies will continue to file the
annual reports.
Purpose:
These reports were filed in compliance with the enabling legislation
of the RRC, requiring railroad companies to file annual reports with
the RRC (House Bills 1, 3, and 58, 22nd Legislature, Regular Session).
Agency program:
Created in 1891, the Texas Railroad Commission was the first regulatory
agency in the State of Texas (House Bills 1,2, and 58, 22nd Legislature,
Regular Session). It originally had jurisdiction over the rates and
operations of railroads, terminals, wharves and express companies. The
legal focus was on intrastate passenger and freight activities. Interstate
jurisdiction fell under the U.S. Interstate Commerce Commission. For
the first twenty-five years of its existence, the Railroad Commission
was largely concerned with regulating railroads, setting rates, receiving
complaints, and making investigations. As other controversies arose
where the Legislature deemed that the public interest could best be
served by regulation, additional duties were assigned to the Railroad
Commission.
The Commission's authority over railroads diminished
over the latter half of the twentieth century. The Federal Railroad
Safety Act of 1970 vested rail safety responsibilities in the Federal
Railroad Administration. In 1980, the Federal Staggers Rail Act largely
eliminated the Commission's responsibility for setting rates for intrastate
railroads. By 1984, the Commission ceased its role in the economic regulation
of the Texas rail industry. Regulatory powers over rail safety were
granted to the agency in 1985 when the 69th Legislature authorized the
Commission to implement a rail safety program in conjunction with the
Federal Railroad Administration Act of 1970 (Senate Bill 444, 69th Legislature,
Regular Session).
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry
to prevent the waste of resources and to protect property rights and
the environment. It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural
gas pipelines and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed
natural gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and
conducts seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees:
railroad safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium,
and iron ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Rail Division is responsible for checking equipment
and track, railroad and signal operations, and hazardous material handling;
conducting investigations of accidents and complaints concerning railroads;
and securing federal funds to improve branch lines and preserve rail
service to rural areas. The Division enforces rules aimed at removing
obstructions on railroad rights-of-way and operates a crossing safety
education program. There are two main sections in this division - Rail
Safety and Rail Planning.
Arrangement: Chronological, then alphabetical by railroad
company name.
Access constraints: None
Use constraints: None
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
No
Problems: None
Known related records in other agencies: None
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission and none were found for this series or for equivalent
or related series.
Publications based on records: None
Series data from agency schedule: This is not on the
schedule.
Suggested series data from state records schedule: None, I suggest the
series be added as follows:
Title: Annual reports, railroad companies
Series item number: none
Agency item number: to be assigned
Archival code: A
Retention: 3
Archival holdings:
Annual reports of railroad companies, 1859-1867, 1873-1885, 1890-1996,
380.24 cubic ft.
These are annual reports of railroad companies. Dates covered are 1859-1867,
1873-1885, 1890-1996. Railroad companies operating in the State of Texas
were required by law to prepare annual reports concerning their activities
beginning in 1853. Legislation approved February 7, 1853, entitled,
"An Act to Regulate Railroad Companies," designated the Comptroller
of Public Accounts as the receiver of such reports. Railroad companies
continued to file annual reports with the Comptroller until 1894. The
act creating the Railroad Commission in 1891 gave the Commission authority
to elicit information in the form of a report. Comprehensive annual
reports encompassing a wide range of subjects were soon required of
all companies operating lines within the State. The first reports filed
with the Railroad Commission, known as the Circular Number 22 reports,
were filed in 1891.
Each report details the company's organization, operation,
and financial condition. Data present may include the names of officers,
directors, and stockholders; incorporation and organizational structure;
capital stock; funded debt; property owned or leased; cost of road,
equipment, and permanent improvements; operating expenses; income account;
stocks and bonds owned; earnings from operations; rentals received;
employees and salaries; number of passengers; amount of freight transported;
mileage of track operated; and injuries to persons or other accidents.
Most of the reports cover the company's operations for the calendar
year. A few of the earlier reports cover partial year operations.
Texas Documents Collection holdings: None
Gaps: None
Appraisal decision:
The annual reports provide valuable information about railroad companies
operating in Texas, detailing aspects of their organization and activities
throughout the year. The reports are generally accessed several times
a year at the Archives and have been used heavily at times by researchers.
Because of the historical information they provide about railroad companies
in the state, they have been appraised as archival. Even though recent
legislation has removed the requirement that companies file such reports
with the RRC, RRC staff feel that the larger companies will continue
to file. Since this should be a continuing series, it needs to be added
to the retention schedule with an archival code of A. The RRC needs
to continue to transfer the reports to the Archives and Information
Services Division as their retention period is fulfilled.
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Records Series Review
Series Title:
Rail tariff files
Agency: Railroad Commission
Rail Division
Contact: Susan Rhyne, Railroad Commission Librarian
Obsolete record series? Yes
Replaced by: None
Ongoing record series? No
Agency holdings:
These are bound volumes of tariffs, comprising about 45 cubic feet.
Dates covered are 1901-1984. The tariffs are housed in the Railroad
Commission Library. The tariffs are not on the retention schedule.
Description:
These are intrastate tariffs issued by the Railroad Commission, and
some interstate tariffs issued by the federal government. Dates covered
are 1901-1984. Tariffs are publications of rates, rules and regulations
concerning railroads. The 1891 act that created the Railroad Commission
empowered it to adopt the necessary rates, regulations, and charges
in connection with railroad freight and passengers. The Railroad Commission
promulgated the tariffs for intrastate commerce on railroads but did
not itself publish them. The RRC required railroads companies to publish
and submit the companies' proposed general and specific tariffs. The
Commission would then issue the approved tariffs and keep copies of
the proposed general and specific tariffs as reference tools.
Each type of merchandise or commodity was classified
by the Railroad Commission and had its own shipping rate. The more important
commodities, such as cotton, had their own tariffs published and issued.
Other commodities were grouped as categories: vegetables, lumber products,
etc. The cost of shipping was usually figured for every 100 pounds of
merchandise. There are several sets of tariffs in this series: Railroad
freight circulars, 1901-1984; Texas lines tariffs, ca. 1913-ca. 1932;
Uniform freight classification, 1961-1982; Southwestern lines freight
bureau, 1981-1984; Perishable protective tariffs, 1920-1927; American
Railway Association tariffs, 1924-1950; Texas lines switching tariffs,
1968-1973; Western classification tariffs, 1918-1962; Mileage allowances
and rules, 1968-1971; Standard transportation commodity code, 1968-1974;
Demurrage and storage tariffs, 1958-1970s; Tariffs of increased rates
and charges, (dates unknown); Texas transport tariffs, class and commodity
rates, 1944-1945; and Texas/Louisiana lines routing circulars, 1937-1953.
Purpose:
Tariffs are publications of rates, rules and regulations of common carriers,
in this case, railroads.
Agency program:
Created in 1891, the Texas Railroad Commission was the first regulatory
agency in the State of Texas (House Bills 1,2, and 58, 22nd Legislature,
Regular Session). It originally had jurisdiction over the rates and
operations of railroads, terminals, wharves and express companies. The
legal focus was on intrastate passenger and freight activities. Interstate
jurisdiction fell under the U.S. Interstate Commerce Commission. For
the first twenty-five years of its existence, the Railroad Commission
was largely concerned with regulating railroads, setting rates, receiving
complaints, and making investigations. As other controversies arose
where the Legislature deemed that the public interest could best be
served by regulation, additional duties were assigned to the Railroad
Commission.
The Commission's authority over railroads diminished
over the latter half of the twentieth century. The Federal Railroad
Safety Act of 1970 vested rail safety responsibilities in the Federal
Railroad Administration. In 1980, the Federal Staggers Rail Act largely
eliminated the Commission's responsibility for setting rates for intrastate
railroads. By 1984, the Commission ceased its role in the economic regulation
of the Texas rail industry. Regulatory powers over rail safety were
granted to the agency in 1985 when the 69th Legislature authorized the
Commission to implement a rail safety program in conjunction with the
Federal Railroad Administration Act of 1970 (Senate Bill 444, 69th Legislature,
Regular Session).
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry
to prevent the waste of resources and to protect property rights and
the environment. It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural
gas pipelines and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed
natural gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and
conducts seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees:
railroad safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium,
and iron ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Rail Division is responsible for checking equipment
and track, railroad and signal operations, and hazardous material handling;
conducting investigations of accidents and complaints concerning railroads;
and securing federal funds to improve branch lines and preserve rail
service to rural areas. The Division enforces rules aimed at removing
obstructions on railroad rights-of-way and operates a crossing safety
education program. There are two main sections in this division - Rail
Safety and Rail Planning.
Arrangement: Arranged topically by title, then in chronological
order.
Access constraints: None
Use constraints: None
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
None
Problems: None
Known related records in other agencies: None known
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission and none were found for this series or for equivalent
or related series.
Publications based on records:
The records are publications.
Series data from agency schedule: This is not on the
schedule.
Suggested series data from state retention schedule: None, the agency
has recently decided to dispose of tariffs not transferred to the Archives
so the series will not be added to the schedule.
Archival holdings:
Tariffs, 1890-1929, 4 cubic ft.
These are intrastate tariffs issued by the Railroad Commission. Dates
covered are 1890-1929. Tariffs are publications of rates, rules and
regulations concerning railroads. The 1891 act that created the Railroad
Commission empowered it to adopt the necessary rates, regulations, and
charges in connection with railroad freight and passengers. The tariffs
are concerned with freight rates and list the cost of shipping merchandise
between Texas cities.
Texas Documents Collection holdings: None
Gaps: There are gaps in the various sets; exact dates
missing are unknown since the beginning date is unknown.
Appraisal decision:
This series contains bound volumes of tariffs, covering both intrastate
tariffs of the Railroad Commission and some interstate tariffs issued
by the federal government. The Archives has some old intrastate tariffs
issued by the Railroad Commission in the Archives, covering the early
years of the RRC, 1890-1929. The survey archivist, Paul Beck, recommended
keeping the small amount we had because it offered historical information
in a unique format. He also acknowledged that keeping the tariffs as
historical artifacts may not be warranted, but since it was a small
amount, we should retain what we have. The tariffs being reviewed in
this series are bound volumes of various sets. Many of the sets cover
just a few years and do not provide good coverage of that particular
type of tariff. And, some of the tariffs are interstate, especially
later ones. I agree with Beck to keep the ones we have - they cover
the early years of the Commission and are tariffs issued directly by
the Railroad Commission. The early tariffs are a good source of historical
documentation on the operations of railroads and the transportation
of freight in Texas.
This series has been appraised to be archival. No changes
need to be made to the retention schedule since this is an obsolete
series and the agency intends to dispose of any tariffs the Archives
does not want. We do not need to keep all of the sets of tariffs. We
should obtain the earlier tariffs with long runs and those that focus
on Texas lines. The series we need transferred to the Archives and Information
Services Division are the Railroad freight circulars, ca. 1901-1984;
the Texas lines tariffs, ca. 1913-ca. 1932; the Texas/Louisiana lines
routing circulars, 1937-1953; and the Western Classification tariffs,
1918-1962. The agency is ready to transfer any tariffs we request and
will dispose of the tariffs we do not take.
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Records Series Review
Series Title:
Administrative correspondence (RAP)
Agency: Railroad Commission of Texas
Gas Services Division, Regulatory and Policy Analysis Section (RAP)
Contact: Jackie Standard
Obsolete record series? No
Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: 5 linear feet
Agency holdings:
Retained by the agency for three years. Current holdings are 1997-[ongoing]
and comprise 12 linear feet. Files are maintained in the Regulatory
Analysis and Policy Section, Gas Services Division, at agency headquarters.
Description:
These are memoranda and incoming/outgoing letters relating to the development
and administration of division policies, procedures, programs, and other
major transactions. Dates covered are 1997-[ongoing]. These records
concern the RAP's regulatory responsibilities over gas utilities and
its position as policy analyst for the Commission. Correspondents include
Commissioners, other staff, pipelines and utilities, pipeline and utility
customers, and other regulatory agencies.
Purpose:
The administrative correspondence is created and maintained in the course
of the RAP's regulatory responsibilities over gas utilities and its
position as policy analyst for the Commission.
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and conducts
seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees: railroad
safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium, and iron
ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Gas Services Division works to ensure that a continuous
safe supply of gas is available to Texas consumers at the lowest, reasonable
rates. The division establishes rates and services that are fair and
reasonable for gas utilities and their customers; enforces those rates;
maintains safety standards in the gas and hazardous liquids pipeline
systems throughout the state by inspection and investigation of any
hazards or accidents; oversees intrastate gathering and storage services;
and adopts and maintains adequate safety rules and standards in the
handling, transportation, and odorization of LP-gases (liquefied petroleum
gases) for dealers, handlers, and consumers. It further regulates propane
and compressed natural gas by requiring anyone working with these gases
to pass a written qualifying exam administered by the Commission. The
division also focuses on regulatory policy and analysis as well as identifying
and eliminating natural gas transportation problems. There are four
main sections in this division - Audit, Liquefied Petroleum Gas, Pipeline
Safety, and Regulatory and Analysis.
Arrangement: Files are maintained separately by those
who use them most often, and then generally arranged alphabetically
by topic and in reverse chronological order with the files.
Access constraints: None
Use constraints: None
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
No
Problems:
There is not a centralized file for this series within the Gas Services
Division, rather each section (or individuals within the section) keeps
their own. Also, this is an agency-wide series. On the retention schedule
five divisions/offices have administrative correspondence and each is
described and appraised separately in this report.
Known related records in other agencies: None
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission and none were found for this series or for equivalent
or related series.
Publications based on records: None
Series data from agency schedule:
Title: Administrative correspondence
Series item number: 1.1.007
Agency item number: A.007
Archival code: R
Retention: CE+3
Archival holdings:
None in the holdings of the Archives and Information Services of the
Library and Archives Commission.
Texas Documents Collection holdings: None
Gaps: No records present in this series prior to 1997.
Appraisal decision:
These correspondence files concern the regulatory responsibilities of
the RAP section of the Gas Services Division and its position as policy
analyst for the Railroad Commission. Summary documentation of the activities
of the Gas Services Division can be found in its annual report, Annual
Report of the Gas Services Division. However, this correspondence
appears to be a substantial source of information about the division,
its programs, and regulatory functions. This correspondence has evidential
value as it documents the division's functions and its communications
with industry and the general public. This series has been appraised
to be archival. This series needs to be added the retention schedule
under the Gas Services section of the schedule, with an archival code
of A. As the correspondence fulfills its retention period it needs to
be transferred to the Archives and Information Services Division.
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Records Series Review
Series Title:
Speeches and papers (RAP)
Agency: Railroad Commission of Texas
Gas Services Division, Regulatory Analysis and Policy Section (RAP)
Contact: Jackie Standard
Obsolete record series? No
Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: five linear feet
Agency holdings:
Retained by the agency for two years. Current holdings are 1998-[ongoing]
and comprise 8 linear feet. Files are maintained in the Regulatory Analysis
and Policy Section, Gas Services Division, at agency headquarters.
Description:
These are original notes or text of speeches delivered by RAP staff
in conjunction with agency work, dating 1998-[ongoing]. The staff often
make presentations to industry and prepare speech materials for the
Commissioners. Groups addressed include legislators, law groups, pipeline
or utility organizations, municipal organizations, regulatory agencies,
and professional associations.
Speeches and papers given by the Commissioners are maintained
in a separate series, listed as part of the records of the Commissioners'
offices.
Purpose:
Speeches provide both general and specific information about the functions
of the agency to the public.
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and conducts
seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees: railroad
safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium, and iron
ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Gas Services Division works to ensure that a continuous
safe supply of gas is available to Texas consumers at the lowest, reasonable
rates. The division establishes rates and services that are fair and
reasonable for gas utilities and their customers; enforces those rates;
maintains safety standards in the gas and hazardous liquids pipeline
systems throughout the state by inspection and investigation of any
hazards or accidents; oversees intrastate gathering and storage services;
and adopts and maintains adequate safety rules and standards in the
handling, transportation, and odorization of LP-gases (liquefied petroleum
gases) for dealers, handlers, and consumers. It further regulates propane
and compressed natural gas by requiring anyone working with these gases
to pass a written qualifying exam administered by the Commission. The
division also focuses on regulatory policy and analysis as well as identifying
and eliminating natural gas transportation problems. There are four
main sections in this division - Audit, Liquefied Petroleum Gas, Pipeline
Safety, and Regulatory and Analysis.
Arrangement: Arranged alphabetically by topic and in
reverse chronological order within the files.
Access constraints: None
Use constraints: None
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
No
Problems:
This is an agency-wide series. On the retention schedule three divisions/offices
have speeches and each is described and appraised separately in this
report.
Known related records in other agencies: None
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission and none were found for this series or for equivalent
or related series.
Publications based on records: None
Series data from agency schedule:
Title: Speeches and papers
Series item number: 1.1.040
Agency item number: A.038
Archival code: R
Retention: 2
Archival holdings:
None in the holdings of the Archives and Information Services of the
Library and Archives Commission.
Texas Documents Collection holdings: None
Gaps: No records are present in this series prior to
1998.
Appraisal decision:
RRC staff have said that speeches/papers given by staff are the individual's
interpretation of a rule or policy, and do not reflect agency policy.
While there is a great deal of public interest in the actions of the
Railroad Commission, this series does not provide information about
agency operations that could not be found elsewhere, especially since
the speeches are individual's opinions. We have appraised the speeches/papers
of the commissioners to be archival since they are the highest ranking
officials of the agency. That is sufficient coverage of this function.
This is currently listed as an agency-wide series on the schedule. The
Gas Services Division needs to add this series to their section of the
schedule, with an archival exemption code of E and the following note
in the Remarks section, "Archival review code removed subsequent to
appraisal by the Archives and Information Services Division, Library
and Archives Commission, March 16, 2001."
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Records Series Review
Series Title:
Annual financial reports (gas utility companies)
Agency: Railroad Commission
Gas Services Division - Gas Utility Audit
Contact: Shannon Miller
Obsolete record series? No
Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: two microfilm reels
Agency holdings:
Original paper record is retained for one year, then microfilmed. Once
microfilmed, the paper copy is destroyed. Microfilmed reports are retained
for five years, then transferred to the Library and Archives Commission.
Paper records comprise about 4.5 cubic feet. There are 10 rolls of microfilm.
Dates covered are 1993-[ongoing]. The paper records and a duplicate
of the microfilm are in the Gas Services Division at agency headquarters.
Microfilm master is maintained at the State Records Center.
Description:
These are annual financial reports of gas utilities companies required
by the Gas Utilities Division of the Railroad Commission (RRC). Dates
of the reports in the agency are 1993-[ongoing]. The Archives holds
reports from 1920-1995. These reports are of intrastate and interstate
companies that do business in Texas. The reports provide financial and
organizational data on these companies, including names of officers
and their affiliates, tax information, operating revenue, balance sheets;
and some production data, including volumes of gas purchased, gas plant
production, and miles of pipeline used. Some data from the reports is
in an in-house database. Gas utilities are required to file an annual
report with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). For some,
an additional report is required by the RRC. Utilities that do not in
engage in intrastate sales or intrastate transport of gas can file a
copy of their annual report to the FERC with the RRC. Some companies
doing interstate business will also file a copy of their FERC reports.
The FERC reports are filmed with the other annual reports. The FERC
reports are similar but are more detailed and include company operations
in other states.
The annual report of the Gas Services Division is a compilation
of statistical data extracted from the individual annual financial reports
filed by gas utilities.
Purpose:
Annual reports of gas utilities are filed as required under 16 TAC,
§7.40. Section 7.40 states that each gas utility operating in Texas
file a general annual report with the Railroad Commission to enable
the Commission to properly regulate natural gas utilities within the
state.
Agency program:
Created in 1891, the Texas Railroad Commission was the first regulatory
agency in the State of Texas (House Bills 1,2, and 58, 22nd Legislature,
Regular Session). It originally had jurisdiction over the rates and
operations of railroads, terminals, wharves and express companies. The
legal focus was on intrastate passenger and freight activities. Interstate
jurisdiction fell under the U.S. Interstate Commerce Commission. For
the first twenty-five years of its existence, the Railroad Commission
was largely concerned with regulating railroads, setting rates, receiving
complaints, and making investigations. As other controversies arose
where the Legislature deemed that the public interest could best be
served by regulation, additional duties were assigned to the Railroad
Commission.
The Railroad Commission's authority was broadened beginning
in 1917 with the passage of the Pipeline Petroleum Law, Senate Bill
68, 35th Legislature, Regular Session, that declared pipelines to be
common carriers like railroads and placed them under the Commission's
jurisdiction. This was the first act to designate the Railroad Commission
as the agency to administer conservation laws relating to oil and gas.
The Commission's regulatory and enforcement powers in
oil and gas were increased by Senate Bill 350 of the 36th Legislature,
Regular Session, the Oil and Gas Conservation Law, effective June 18,
1919. This act gave the Railroad Commission jurisdiction to regulate
the production of oil and gas. Acting upon this legislation, the Commission
adopted in 1919 the first statewide rules regulating the oil and gas
industry to promote conservation and safety, including Rule 37. This
rule requires minimum distances between wells at drilling sites in order
to protect field pressure and correlative rights.
The Gas Utilities Act of 1920, House Bill 11, 36th Legislature,
3rd Called Session, gave the Commission regulatory and rate authority
over individuals and businesses producing, transporting, or distributing
natural gas in Texas. In 1937, following a large natural gas explosion
in a school in New London, Texas, the 45th Legislature passed legislation
giving the Railroad Commission the authority to adopt rules and regulations
pertaining to the odorization of natural gas or liquefied petroleum
gases (House Bill 1017, Regular Session). The passage of the Public
Regulatory Act of 1975 (PURA), House Bill 819, 64th Legislature, Regular
Session, required certain state regulatory agencies, including the Commission,
to set the overall revenues of a utility based on its "cost of service."
Regulation of liquefied petroleum was added to the Commission's
responsibilities in 1939 by House Bill 792, 46th Legislature, Regular
Session. The legislation authorized the Commission to adopt and enforce
safety rules and standards in the storage, handling, transportation,
and odorization of butane or LP-gases. Regulation of compressed natural
gas was added to the Railroad Commission's responsibilities in 1983
(Senate Bill 617, 68th Legislature, Regular Session).
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry
to prevent the waste of resources and to protect property rights and
the environment. It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural
gas pipelines and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed
natural gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and
conducts seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees:
railroad safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium,
and iron ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Gas Services Division works to ensure that a continuous
safe supply of gas is available to Texas consumers at the lowest, reasonable
rates. The division establishes rates and services that are fair and
reasonable for gas utilities and their customers; enforces those rates;
maintains safety standards in the gas and hazardous liquids pipeline
systems throughout the state by inspection and investigation of any
hazards or accidents; oversees intrastate gathering and storage services;
and adopts and maintains adequate safety rules and standards in the
handling, transportation, and odorization of LP-gases (liquefied petroleum
gases) for dealers, handlers, and consumers. It further regulates propane
and compressed natural gas by requiring anyone working with these gases
to pass a written qualifying exam administered by the Commission. The
division also focuses on regulatory policy and analysis as well as identifying
and eliminating natural gas transportation problems. There are four
main sections in this division - Audit, Liquefied Petroleum Gas, Pipeline
Safety, and Regulatory and Analysis.
Arrangement: Alphabetical by company name.
Access constraints: None
Use constraints: None
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
Yes, there is an alphabetical index to company names.
Problems: None
Known related records in other agencies:
Annual reports filed with FERC are available at the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, years covered are unknown.
Previous destructions:
Gas utility company annual reports - two destruction requests
were submitted in January 1989 and September 1990 to destroy paper records
dating 1983-1985, 1987 after microfilming.
Publications based on records:
Gas Services Division Annual Report (a compilation of statistical
data extracted from the individual annual financial reports filed by
gas utilities).
Series data from agency schedule:
Title: Annual financial reports (gas utility companies)
Series item number: 4.5
Agency item number: 5.085
Archival code: none
Retention: CE+1 (paper)
Title: Annual financial reports (gas utility companies)
Series item number: 4.5
Agency item number: 5.086
Archival code: none
Retention: CE+5 (microfilm)
Archival holdings:
Annual reports of gas utilities companies, 1920-1995, 269 reels of
microfilm
These are annual reports of gas utilities companies submitted to the
Railroad Commission, dating 1920-1995.
Texas Documents Collection holdings: Related publications
are:
Gas Utilities Division Annual Report, 1908-1921, 1975, 1977-1981,
1985-1988
Gas Services Division Annual Report, 1989-1998
Gaps: None
Appraisal decision:
The annual reports provide financial and organizational information,
and some production data about gas utility companies in Texas. These
reports have never been officially appraised as archival by Archives
staff but have been transferred regularly to the Library and Archives
Commission since 1981. These reports are used several times a year by
researchers. Based on their administrative value in giving information
about company operations, and on past research value the reports have
been appraised to be archival. Add an archival code of A to the retention
schedule. I recommend listing these two series as one on the retention
schedule with a note in the Remarks section as follows - "Original paper
record is for one year. Once microfilmed, the paper copy is destroyed."
For future transfers of microfilm to the Archives, include a use copy
as well as a master reel.
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Records Series Review
Series Title:
Pipeline related: Accident files reports and associated documentation
Agency: Railroad Commission
Gas Services Division - Pipeline Safety
Contact: Angie Sambrano
Obsolete record series? No
Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: less than one cubic ft.
Agency holdings:
Retained for ten years after the end of the fiscal year. Dates covered
are ca. 1988-[ongoing]. There are approximately 7.5 cubic feet of files,
maintained in the Pipeline Safety Section, Gas Services Division, at
agency headquarters.
Description:
These are reports of accidents involving pipelines, usually natural
gas pipelines. Dates covered are ca. 1988-[ongoing]. Information in
each report includes the operator's name and address, description of
the accident, conditions at the time, type of facility, type of pipeline,
materials transported, and what repair or cleanup is needed. Types of
accidents could include a construction company breaking a line during
construction, leaks, or explosions. The operator reports the accident.
If the RRC considers it to be significant, an investigator goes on site
and conducts an investigation. The operator files a report with the
RRC, then the RRC sends a copy to the federal Office of Pipeline Safety.
Information from these reports is also available in an online computer
tracking system, Accident files reports and associated documentation
(online tracking system) (5.062) [this series is not being reviewed
in this report]. The online files date back to the early 1980s. Special
investigations of pipeline accidents are in the series Special investigation
files - hazardous liquids and natural gas pipelines (5.071). A series
of old pipeline leak reports is the series Pipeline correspondence
re: oil losses, 1960-1961. The number of leaks/accidents is provided
in the annual reports of pipeline companies - see the series Annual
reports, pipeline companies (5.063).
Some information in these reports may be confidential
due to litigation or RRC administrative enforcement actions, Texas Government
Code, 551.103; or due to staff advice, opinion, or recommendation, Texas
Government Code, 551.111.
Purpose:
Accident reports are filed in accordance with the 16 TAC, §7.84. Section
7.84 concerns the reports of accidents involving pipelines. Filing of
reports involving hazardous liquids is also required in accordance with
49 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 195.
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
gas, and liquefied natural gas. The Commission licenses and conducts
seminars for dealers and their employees. It also oversees: railroad
safety and rail planning; surface mining for coal, uranium, and iron
ore gravel; and land reclamation when mining is complete.
Four divisions have regulatory functions: the Gas Services
Division, the Oil and Gas Division, the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Division, and the Rail Division. The Office of the General Counsel's
Enforcement Section has enforcement powers, and the Alternative Fuels
Research and Education Division has research and education functions.
Support divisions include the Public Information Office, Personnel,
Finance and Administration, Information Technology Services, Intergovernmental
Affairs, and the Office of Internal Audit. Three elected Commissioners
direct the operations of the agency.
Legal authority for the Railroad Commission is the Texas
Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and Art. XVI, Sec. 30; and the Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 81.
The Gas Services Division works to ensure that a continuous
safe supply of gas is available to Texas consumers at the lowest, reasonable
rates. The division establishes rates and services that are fair and
reasonable for gas utilities and their customers; enforces those rates;
maintains safety standards in the gas and hazardous liquids pipeline
systems throughout the state by inspection and investigation of any
hazards or accidents; oversees intrastate gathering and storage services;
and adopts and maintains adequate safety rules and standards in the
handling, transportation, and odorization of LP-gases (liquefied petroleum
gases) for dealers, handlers, and consumers. It further regulates propane
and compressed natural gas by requiring anyone working with these gases
to pass a written qualifying exam administered by the Commission. The
division also focuses on regulatory policy and analysis as well as identifying
and eliminating natural gas transportation problems. There are four
main sections in this division - Audit, Liquefied Petroleum Gas, Pipeline
Safety, and Regulatory and Analysis.
Arrangement: Numerical by report number.
Access constraints:
Some information in these reports may be confidential due to litigation
or RRC administrative enforcement actions, Texas Government Code, 551.103;
or due to staff advice, opinion, or recommendation, Texas Government
Code, 551.111.
Use constraints: Public may use the files, copies must
be made by RRC staff.
Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
Account numbers are retrieved though a mainframe database.
Problems: None
Known related records in other agencies:
Reports of serious accidents are also at the federal Office of Pipeline
Safety.
Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the
Railroad Commission and none were found for this series or for equivalent
or related series.
Publications based on records:
The number of leaks/accidents are reported in the annual reports of
pipeline companies.
Series data from agency schedule:
Title: Pipeline related: Accident files reports and associated documentation
Series item number: 5.4
Agency item number: 5.061
Archival code: none
Retention: FE+10
Archival holdings:
None in the holdings of the Archives and Information Services Division
of the Library and Archives Commission.
Texas Documents Collection holdings:
Gaps: No records present prior to 1988.
Appraisal decision:
These reports are being reviewed because we are reviewing files of oil
and gas accidents/leaks, etc. housed in the Oil and Gas Division (O&G).
The O&G accident files have a 100 year retention period, the Gas Services
Division (GSD) accident reports only FE+10. Possibly the GSD reports
have a much shorter retention period because most of these accidents
involve natural gas, which has less of a residual effect on the environment.
Regardless of the reasons, the Gas Services Division has a 10 year retention
period for these reports because the staff feel that is a sufficient
period of time to retain these accident reports. I agree and do not
see any archival value in the GSD accident reports. This series has
been appraised to be non-archival. Since it did not carry an archival
code, no changes need to be made to the retention schedule for this
series.
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Records Series Review
Series Title:
Annual reports, pipeline companies
Agency: Railroad Commission
Gas Services Division - Pipeline Safety
Contact: Angie Sambrano
Obsolete record series? No
Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: several inches
Agency holdings:
Retained for five years. Dates of the files are ca. 1994-[ongoing].
Information from reports in the database is ca. 1980-[ongoing]. Files
comprise about 1.5 cubic feet and are maintained in the Pipeline Safety
Section, Gas Services Division, at agency headquarters.
Description:
These are annual reports submitted by pipeline companies operating in
Texas. Dates of paper records are ca. 1994-[ongoing]. Information from
reports in the database is ca. 1980-[ongoing]. These are one page reports
that include the name and address of the operator, how many miles of
jurisdictional intrastate pipeline in operation, hazardous liquids being
transported, how many leaks/accidents they had, and size and length
of the pipeline. There is no organizational information about the company
except the operator's name and address. Information from the annual
reports is maintained in an in-house database. Any leaks or explosions
occurring are detailed in the series Pipeline related: accident files
reports and associated documentation (5.061) or the series Special
investigation files - hazardous liquids and natural gas pipelines
(5.071).
Purpose:
Pipeline companies or operators are required to file an annual report
in accordance with 16 TAC, §7.84. Section 7.84 states that each operator
file an annual report listing line sizes and lengths, hazardous liquids
being transported, and accident/failure data.
Agency program:
The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry to prevent
the waste of resources and to protect property rights and the environment.
It oversees hazardous materials pipelines and natural gas pipelines
and distribution systems as well as propane, butane, compressed natural
