Here are some of the top questions frequently asked of the Texas Railroad Commission. (1) What are the sizes of the proration units for the Eagle Ford Shale Fields? Presently, the proration units range from 40 acres to 640 acres. Need to review the individual field rules for each of the Eagle Ford Shale Fields. (2) Explain why a surface location for horizontal wells is not required to be located on the lease that is being drilled? Many wells are being drilled horizontally or deviated from offsite locations to reach potential producing horizons that may be beneath city parks, water bodies or housing developments, where a surface location may not be desirable or available. It is not unusual for an operator to obtain surface rights from which to drill a well from an adjacent, more desirable location. (3) Explain why a surface location for horizontal wells can be located on a lease closer to a lease line than the field rules require? The field rules for a horizontal well regulate specifically the “horizontal drain hole” which is defined in Rule 86 as “That portion of the well bore drilled in the correlative interval where production may occur. (4) What are the plastic lining requirements for drilling pits and frac water pits? Railroad Commission rules require an operator to take precautions to prevent pollution of surface and subsurface water, but do not include specific requirements for plastic liners in drilling pits. Many operators use liners in areas where the soil is permeable. Local governments may require the use of lined pits.

Information would be appreciated about the history of this pump jack, located inside Pleasanton’s Industrial Park. Please contact Leon Zabava, at lzabava@pleasantonexpress.com or by calling 830-281-2341. LEONZABAVA/PLEASANTONEXPRESS (5) What is the requirement for reporting production for a well after it has been completed and how do I find out what has been reported? Railroad Commission rules require an operator to file a well completion form with the Commission 30 days after completion of the well or 90 days after completion of the drilling operation, whichever is earliest. (16 TAC §3.16). Production must be filed monthly starting the month after the well begins producing. You can find production information on the RRC website by using the Production Permit Query application. (6) How long does the RRC allow an operator to flare gas from a new well completion until the gas is then connected to the pipeline? Railroad Commission regulations generally allow gas to be released for a period not to exceed ten (10) producing days after initial completion, recompletion, in another field, or workover operations in the same field. However, the Commission may grant exceptions to this rule under certain circumstances

REMEMBER: Old oil and gas photos taken in Atascosa and McMullen Counties and oil field stories are what I’m wanting for my Oil and Gas Reports.

LEON ZABAVA is the Oil & gas Editor of the Pleasanton Express. Contact him at 830-281-2341 or lzabava@pleasantonexpress.com.