The Railroad Commission of Texas regulates oil, gas, and mining — not trains

The Railroad Commission of Texas (RCT) is a state agency that oversees the oil and gas industry, mining operations, and pipeline safety in Texas. Despite its name, it has nothing to do with railroads. The name is historical — the agency was created in 1891 to regulate railroads, but that responsibility moved to federal authorities decades ago. Today, the RCT is the primary state body that issues permits, sets production rules, and enforces environmental standards for oil and gas companies operating in Texas.

You interact with the RCT if you own mineral rights, operate an oil or gas well, live near drilling activity, or have concerns about pipeline safety or environmental damage from energy production. The agency also handles saltwater disposal permits and regulates geothermal energy projects. Most Texans never contact the RCT directly, but if you own land in an oil or gas region or work in the energy industry, understanding what it does and how to reach it matters.

Key Takeaways

  • The Railroad Commission of Texas regulates oil, gas, mining, and pipelines in Texas — not railroads, despite its name.
  • You may need to contact the RCT if you own mineral rights, operate a well, or live near drilling and have environmental or safety concerns.
  • The RCT issues drilling permits, enforces production rules, and investigates complaints about spills, leaks, and improper disposal.
  • The agency maintains a public database of well locations, production data, and enforcement actions that you can search online.
  • Complaints about drilling activity or pipeline safety can be filed through the RCT's website or by phone, and the agency investigates violations.

What the Railroad Commission actually regulates

The RCT oversees three main areas: oil and gas operations, mining, and pipeline safety. In the oil and gas division, the agency issues drilling permits, sets rules for how wells must be operated, and tracks production data. It also regulates saltwater disposal wells, which are used to inject wastewater from oil and gas production deep underground. The mining division handles permits for sand, gravel, and other mineral extraction. The pipeline safety division works with the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to inspect pipelines and respond to leaks or ruptures.

The RCT does not set oil and gas prices, control how much oil Texas produces, or decide whether drilling should happen in a particular location — those decisions rest with individual companies and local governments. The agency's role is to make sure operations follow state law, protect groundwater and surface water, and enforce safety standards. It also maintains public records of well locations, production volumes, and enforcement actions, which you can search on its website.

When you might need to contact the Railroad Commission

Landowners and mineral rights holders contact the RCT when they have questions about drilling on their property, want to understand production data from their wells, or need to file a complaint about a neighboring operation. If you own mineral rights, you receive royalty payments based on production reported to the RCT, so you may want to verify those numbers against the agency's records.

Residents near drilling sites contact the RCT to report spills, odors, water contamination, or other environmental concerns. The agency has a complaint process and investigates violations of its rules. If you believe a well operator is not following regulations — for example, if you see an oil spill or suspect improper saltwater disposal — you can file a complaint with the RCT's enforcement division. The agency also handles complaints about pipeline leaks or safety hazards.

Oil and gas companies contact the RCT constantly to obtain drilling permits, report production, pay fees, and respond to enforcement actions. If you work in the energy industry, you will interact with the RCT's permitting and compliance systems regularly.

How to find information and file a complaint

The RCT maintains an online database called GIS Viewer where you can search for well locations, view production data, and find information about drilling permits. You can search by county, operator name, or well number. The agency also publishes monthly production reports and maintains records of enforcement actions, which are public.

To file a complaint about drilling activity, environmental damage, or pipeline safety, visit the RCT's website and use the online complaint form, or call the agency's main office in Austin. When you file a complaint, have specific details ready: the well number or operator name, the location of the problem, what you observed, and when it happened. The RCT will assign the complaint to an inspector who will investigate. Response times vary depending on the severity of the complaint and the agency's workload.

You can also request public records from the RCT, including well files, permit applications, and inspection reports. Requests can be made through the agency's website or by mail. The RCT charges a fee for copies of records, though the amount depends on how many pages you request.

Understanding drilling permits and production reporting

Before an oil or gas company can drill a well in Texas, it must obtain a permit from the RCT. The permit process includes details about the well location, depth, and the geological formation being targeted. The RCT reviews the process to may support it meets safety and environmental standards, then either approves or denies it. This process typically takes several weeks.

Once a well is producing, the operator must report production data to the RCT monthly. This data becomes public and is used to calculate royalty payments to mineral rights owners. If you own mineral rights, you can cross-check your royalty statements against the RCT's production records to verify you are being paid correctly. Discrepancies between what an operator reports to you and what it reports to the RCT should be investigated.

Enforcement and what happens when rules are broken

The RCT has an enforcement division that investigates complaints and violations of state oil and gas law. Common violations include improper well abandonment, unauthorized drilling, spills, and violations of saltwater disposal rules. When the agency finds a violation, it can issue a notice of violation, require corrective action, impose fines, or in serious cases, shut down a well or revoke a permit.

Enforcement actions are public record. You can search the RCT's website to see what violations a particular operator has committed and what penalties were imposed. This information is useful if you are concerned about an operator's track record or want to understand whether complaints you filed resulted in action.

Contact information and resources

The Railroad Commission of Texas is headquartered in Austin. You can reach the main office by phone at 512-463-7001 or visit the website at rrc.texas.gov. The website includes links to the GIS database, complaint forms, permit applications, and public records requests. The RCT also has regional offices in other parts of Texas if you prefer to file a complaint or request information in person.

If your complaint involves a pipeline safety issue, you can also contact the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) directly. PHMSA works with the RCT on pipeline regulation and may investigate certain types of pipeline incidents.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I learn about there is a well on my property?

Use the RCT's GIS Viewer on its website to search by your property address or county. You can also call the RCT's main office and provide your location. If a well exists on your land, the operator should have notified you and obtained permission before drilling.

Can I stop a company from drilling on my land?

If you own the surface rights but not the mineral rights, the mineral rights owner can authorize drilling even without your permission. If you own both, you can refuse. If drilling is already happening and you believe it violates RCT rules, you can file a complaint. Local zoning laws may also restrict drilling in certain areas.

How long does it take the RCT to investigate a complaint?

Response time depends on the severity of the complaint and the agency's workload. Spills and safety hazards are typically investigated within days. Environmental complaints may take weeks or longer. You can contact the RCT to ask about the status of your complaint.

What should I do if I see an oil spill?

Report it to the RCT when ready by phone at 512-463-7001 or through the online complaint form. Include the location, the size of the spill if you can estimate it, and the operator name if you know it. The RCT will dispatch an inspector. You can also contact the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) if the spill threatens water or air quality.

How do I verify my royalty payments?

Request the production data for your well from the RCT's GIS database or by contacting the agency directly. Compare the volume and price reported to the RCT against what your operator paid you. If there is a discrepancy, contact your operator first, then the RCT if the operator cannot explain it.