Railroad Commission Encourages Oil and Gas Companies to Utilize Online Submission Portal

The Railroad Commission (RRC) of Texas has launched and expanded a new portal in recent months to expedite and optimize the regulatory reporting process for oil and gas operators.

The Tracking and Reporting System (LoneSTAR) allows for the online filing and tracking of regulatory oil and gas functions, rather than limiting ticketing administrators and operators to paper reporting and physically mailing them in. 

"The purpose is to have an online application for less paper and quicker processing," said Kaitlyn Cunningham, RRC Oil & Gas Division Manager of API/Production Audit. "The end game is to get all forms into the LoneSTAR system to be a 'one-stop shop' for all compliance."

According to the RRC website, these are the current forms available through the online portal:

• Form P-5, Organization Report, (NEW) - to become an operator under the RRC jurisdiction
• Form P-5 (RENEWAL) - to annually renew as an operator
• Form P-5 (RECORDS ONLY) - to update or correct operator information (i.e., status, officers and address).
• Form W-3C, Certification of Surface Equipment Removal for an Inactive Well
• Form W-3X, Application for an Extension of Deadline for Plugging an Inactive Well
• Form P-18,  Skim Oil/Condensate Report
• Form H-8, Crude Oil, Gas Well Liquids, or Associated Products Loss Report.

In addition to quicker processing and environmental perks, Cunningham said there are many other perks associated with the LoneSTAR online filing system. 

"It gives less room for error (less reasons to return a form for corrections) via the built-in validations and checks. It allows a user (and the RRC) to keep track of all forms, correspondences, notices, etc. all in one spot," she said.

Users are sent a confirmation once the form is submitted and can check on the status of it in real-time. The RRC updates its submission status within the portal throughout the day.

A release sent to skim oil operators noted these benefits to filing the P-18 Form specifically within the new system:

• • Immediate submission of the Form P-18 for review by RRC staff;
• • Electronic audit of data prior to submittal to reduce filing errors;
• • Electronic communication from the RRC for approval or required corrections for
• processed Forms;
• • Ability to edit submitted P-18s if corrections are required;
• • Pre-populated month to month information including location details, API or facility
• details, listed leases, etc. reducing data entry;
• • Once the form is submitted online, LoneSTAR will generate a print-friendly PDF.
• Users will have the ability to view all submitted P-18 Forms and correspondences
• within LoneSTAR.
• Cunningham also noted that the more operators use the system, the quicker the turnaround time will be. 

Operators who are already authenticated LoneSTAR users may login to the portal to begin the application process and submit paperwork for approval. If you are not already an authenticated user, you can learn more about becoming one and getting started using the portal through the RRC website here.

Our team here at SitePro works with the RRC directly to ensure our digital ticketing and reporting software is updated consistently to ensure our programs are in compliance with state regulations. As a matter of fact, our system is specifically compatible with the direct export of P-18 forms into the LoneSTAR system, helping customers not only automate their regulatory reports, but streamlining the submission process.

We'd love to partner with your oil and gas operations to optimize your ticketing and reporting processes.