The Texas Railroad Commission has adopted amendments to its pipeline permits rule, 16 TAC Sec. 3.70. The amendments require pipeline companies to submit documentation to support their claim that they will operate the line as a common carrier or gas utility. In Texas, pipelines have the right to condemn pipeline…
Michael Brick has written an excellent article in the Houston Chronicle about the Texas Railroad Commission’s new seismologist, David Craig Pearson. The article, “Vexed by Earthquakes, Texas Calls In a Scientist,” relates the events leading up to his hiring, his background, and the RRC’s initial foray into addressing the issue…
In a letter to the Texas Railroad Commission commenting on the RRC’s proposed rules on curbing earthquakes caused by high-pressure injection of waste fluids, the Environmental Protection Agency “applauded the RRC’s efforts to ensure it has sufficient regulatory authority to respond to any event of the type where concerns may…
With increasing frequency, my landowner clients have complained about gas flaring, especially in the Eagle Ford Shale. Landowners are beginning to insist that their leases require royalty payments on flared gas. Landowners also complain of the odors and noise from gas flares. The San Antonio Express News has recently published…
Jimmy McAllen’s battle against Forest Oil has moved one step closer to conclusion. Last week the Corpus Christi Court of Appeals affirmed an arbitration award of more than $20 million against Forest Oil for environmental and other damages to the McAllen Ranch and personal injuries to Mr. McAllen. The fight…
The Texas Railroad Commission has published a proposed rule that will change how pipelines are classified as “common carriers” and “gas utilities.” That classification determines whether pipelines can exercise the power of eminent domain — the power to condemn rights-of-way for pipelines. In 2011, the Texas Supreme Court held in…
In the last legislative session, the Texas Legislature gave the Texas Railroad Commission money to upgrade its website. The RRC’s new GIS Viewer is now available for use. http://wwwgisp.rrc.state.tx.us/GISViewer2/ This map-based access to RRC information on wells, pipelines and records makes it much easier for the public to access RRC…
Investigations continue in response to complaints of alleged contamination of water wells from drilling activity in the Barnett Shale. In May, the Texas Railroad Commission issued a report of its investigation of complaints of well contamination by methane in Parker County. It concluded that “the evidence is insufficient to conclude…
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has imposed rules on exploration companies requiring seismic monitoring around new well sites near fault lines and quake epicenters in the Utica Shale. According to the Columbus Dispatch, the rules require monitors at new drill sites located within 3 miles of known fault lines…
For those of you following the Klotzman proceeding at the Texas Railroad Commission, you can read the Klotzman Motion for rehearing here. #02-0278952 Klotzman Motion for Rehearing.PDF