Railroad Commission of Texas launches tech project streamlining oil, gas filings

AUSTIN, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) — The Railroad Commission of Texas has launched the State Tracking and Reporting, known as LoneSTAR, which is a project that is aimed at increasing efficiencies at the agency to save time and resources for oil and gas operators as well as RRC staff.

According to RRC officials, the first LoneSTAR release allows operators to make online filings for Form P-5, which are required to become or renew as an oil or gas operator or pipeline operator. Officials noted that P-5s are required in order to operate in Texas.

“Overhauling the IT system at the Railroad Commission has been a top priority for me since I was first elected,” said RRC Chairman Christi Craddick. “The LoneSTAR launch marks a significant advancement to the way the agency interacts with operators and will improve the agency’s ability to prioritize health and safety for all Texans and the environment, while ensuring the state’s economic powerhouse can continue to thrive.”

RRC officials also noted that forms associated with the P-5 process can also be filed online through LoneSTAR including:

• Form W-3C, for Certification of Surface Equipment Removal for an Inactive Well; and
• Form W-3X, the Application for an Extension of Deadline for Plugging an Inactive Well.

“LoneSTAR modernizes the agency’s information technology to ensure producers spend less time filling out bureaucratic forms and more time drilling for the reliable energy our state, nation, and world need,” said RRC Commissioner Wayne Christian. “The Commission is widely recognized as a global leader in energy regulation, and as Commissioner I want to make sure it retains that reputation by minimizing the regulatory burden on producers and building a 21st century agency that’s the envy of the world. I want to congratulate and thank all the RRC staff that worked so hard on this project.”

Officials stated that LoneSTAR gives operators the ability to monitor the P-5 approval process online, fix any compliance issues related to the filings in real-time, and view records online. The P-5 form is a single-page sheet that provides basic information on the company it represents, including the name and addresses of the operating entity, a representative of the organization, and the organization type. In 2018, the RRC noted that it committed to processing P-5 forms within five business days if there were no errors.

However, as noted by previous reports from Commission Shift many operators out of compliance according to the form still have historically had their submissions accepted with little issue or penalty. As of 2021, according to Commission Shift, the filing requirements to become or remain an oil and gas operator in Texas did not even involve confirming whether a drilling permit applicant has legal ownership or a contractual right to the fossil fuel resources listed on the permit application.

“Innovation spurred the shale revolution, but it was efficient operations that ultimately resulted in America becoming the leading energy producer in the world,” said RRC Commissioner Jim Wright. “The launch of LoneSTAR will not only serve to improve our effectiveness here at the Railroad Commission, but will also reduce the paperwork burden for our Texas energy producers, allowing for greater efficiency in their day-to-day operations.”

Operators can view the announcement on using LoneSTAR on the RRC website and future releases of LoneSTAR will include other oil and gas and environmental permitting processes.

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