Texas PR Form Overview
The Texas Production Report (PR Form) is a mandatory monthly filing required by the Texas Railroad Commission (RRC) for all oil and gas operators in Texas. This critical regulatory document reports production volumes, dispositions, and associated data for each lease and well under an operator's control.
Texas PR Form Quick Facts
- Regulatory Authority: Texas Railroad Commission
- Filing Frequency: Monthly
- Deadline: 15th of following month
- Late Penalty: $50 per day
- Applies to: All Texas oil & gas operators
- Submission Methods: EDI, Online, Paper
- Required for: Oil, gas, condensate production
- Zero Production: Nil reports required
Texas-Specific Importance: As the leading oil and gas producing state in the US, Texas produces over 40% of America's crude oil and 25% of natural gas. The RRC uses PR Form data for regulatory oversight, tax calculations, environmental monitoring, and industry statistics that impact the entire energy sector. Texas operators must comply with some of the nation's most comprehensive reporting requirements.
Texas Oil & Gas Production Statistics (2024)
- Daily Oil Production: ~5.5 million barrels
- Daily Gas Production: ~30 billion cubic feet
- Active Wells: 200,000+ producing wells
- Counties with Production: 200+ of 254 counties
- Major Basins: Permian (60% of TX oil)
- Operators: 8,000+ registered with RRC
- Annual Severance Tax: $4+ billion
- Economic Impact: $500+ billion annually
Why Texas PR Forms Matter
- Regulatory Compliance: Required by Texas law for all operators
- Tax Basis: Used for severance tax calculations
- Environmental Oversight: Tracks flaring, venting, and emissions
- Market Data: Provides industry production statistics
- Resource Management: Supports state energy planning
- Legal Protection: Demonstrates compliance with state regulations
Texas PR Form Filing Requirements
Understanding who must file and what must be reported ensures compliance with Texas regulations.
Who Must File in Texas
- All RRC-Registered Operators: Every operator with an active RRC operator number
- Oil Well Operators: Regardless of production volume
- Gas Well Operators: Including dry gas and casinghead gas
- Condensate Producers: Liquid hydrocarbons from gas wells
- Zero Production Operators: Must file nil reports
- Joint Venture Lead Operators: File for entire joint venture
Texas Geographic Coverage & Major Basins
PR Form requirements apply to all oil and gas production within Texas state boundaries, including:
- Permian Basin: West Texas - Midland, Odessa, Andrews counties
- Eagle Ford Shale: South Texas - Karnes, DeWitt, Gonzales counties
- Barnett Shale: North Texas - Tarrant, Johnson, Wise counties
- Haynesville Shale: East Texas - Harrison, Panola, Marshall counties
- East Texas Field: Historic oil field - Gregg, Rusk, Smith counties
- Austin Chalk: Central Texas - Burleson, Washington, Lee counties
- Gulf Coast: Offshore state waters - Galveston, Brazoria areas
- Spraberry Trend: West Texas - Midland Basin area
What Must Be Reported
- Gross Production: All oil, gas, and condensate produced
- Disposition Volumes: How production was handled (sold, used, flared, etc.)
- Purchaser Information: Companies buying the production
- Transportation Data: Pipeline and trucking information
- Processing Details: Plant intake and product recovery
- Environmental Data: Flaring, venting, and injection volumes
Texas PR Form Deadlines & Penalties
Monthly Filing Deadline
15th
PR Forms must be filed by the 15th day of the month following the production month
2025 Texas PR Form Deadlines
| Production Month | Filing Deadline | Days to File | Late Penalty (per day) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 2025 | February 15, 2025 | 46 days | $50 |
| February 2025 | March 15, 2025 | 43 days | $50 |
| March 2025 | April 15, 2025 | 46 days | $50 |
| April 2025 | May 15, 2025 | 45 days | $50 |
| May 2025 | June 15, 2025 | 46 days | $50 |
| June 2025 | July 15, 2025 | 45 days | $50 |
Texas Penalty Structure: Late filings incur a $50 per day penalty that compounds daily. Chronic late filers may face permit suspensions, increased scrutiny, and potential legal action by the Texas Railroad Commission.
Consequences of Late Filing in Texas
- Daily Penalties: $50 per day for each late filing
- Permit Actions: Potential suspension of drilling permits
- Enforcement: RRC enforcement actions and hearings
- Legal Action: Possible court proceedings for chronic violations
- Increased Scrutiny: More frequent inspections and audits
- Reputation Impact: Public record of compliance issues
Texas PR Form Submission Methods
The Texas Railroad Commission accepts PR Forms through multiple submission methods, with EDI being the preferred option.
1. EDI Submission (Recommended)
Best Choice for Texas Operators: EDI offers the fastest processing, immediate validation, and supports bulk submissions for operators with multiple leases across Texas.
EDI Benefits:
- Fast Processing: Automated validation and acceptance
- Bulk Capability: Submit hundreds of leases simultaneously
- Real-time Validation: Immediate error feedback
- Cost Effective: Reduces manual processing costs
- Audit Trail: Complete submission history
2. Online Portal Submission
The RRC's web-based system allows manual entry and file uploads for smaller operators.
Online Portal Features:
- Web-based data entry forms
- File upload capabilities
- Basic validation checks
- Submission confirmations
- Historical filing access
3. Paper Filing
Traditional paper forms are still accepted but not recommended due to processing delays.
Paper Filing Limitations: Paper submissions take longer to process, have higher error rates, and don't provide immediate validation feedback.
Texas PR Form Data Requirements
Accurate data collection and reporting are essential for Texas PR Form compliance.
Required Operator Information
- RRC Operator Number: 6-digit Texas Railroad Commission identifier
- Legal Entity Name: Registered business name in Texas
- Mailing Address: Current address for RRC correspondence
- Contact Information: Phone and email for regulatory contact
Required Lease Information
- RRC Lease Number: 8-digit lease identifier
- Lease Name: As registered with Texas Railroad Commission
- County Location: Texas county where lease is located
- Field Name: RRC-designated field name
- Lease Status: Active, shut-in, or plugged status
Production Data Elements
- Cycle Dates: Production period (from/to dates)
- Product Types: Oil (01), Gas (02), Condensate (03)
- Gross Volumes: Total production before any deductions
- Units of Measure: Barrels (BBL), Thousand Cubic Feet (MCF)
- Well Counts: Number of producing wells
Texas Data Accuracy: The RRC requires accurate measurement and reporting. Use calibrated meters, proper temperature/pressure corrections, and maintain detailed records to support reported volumes.
Texas PR Form Disposition Codes
Disposition codes classify how oil and gas production was handled during the reporting period. Proper code selection is critical for Texas regulatory compliance.
| Code | Description | Texas Usage Guidelines | Documentation Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Sold | Production sold to purchasers, pipelines, refineries | Run tickets, purchase contracts |
| 02 | Used for fuel | Lease fuel, compressor fuel, facility operations | Usage logs, meter readings |
| 03 | Flared | Gas flared with RRC authorization | RRC flare permit, authorization number |
| 04 | Vented | Gas vented (emergency situations only) | Incident report, emergency justification |
| 05 | Injected | Gas/water injection for enhanced recovery | RRC injection permit |
| 06 | Plant intake | Gas delivered to processing plants | Plant delivery receipts |
| 07 | Shrinkage/Loss | Normal operational losses | Loss calculations, supporting data |
| 08 | Stock adjustment | Inventory corrections | Reconciliation records |
Texas-Specific Disposition Requirements
- Flaring Authorization: All flaring in Texas requires RRC permits - Rule 32 compliance mandatory
- Venting Restrictions: Limited to emergency situations only - immediate RRC notification required
- Injection Permits: Enhanced recovery requires separate RRC authorization under Rule 9
- Plant Processing: Must track intake and product allocation - especially critical in Eagle Ford
- Transportation: Document all movement between Texas facilities - pipeline vs truck transport
- Permian Basin Special Rules: Additional reporting for high-volume operations
- Environmental Compliance: Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) coordination
- Severance Tax Integration: PR Form data directly impacts Texas tax calculations
Texas Rule 32 Compliance: Texas has some of the strictest flaring regulations in the US. Operators must obtain RRC authorization before flaring and demonstrate that gas cannot be economically captured. Violations can result in production shutdowns and significant penalties.
Texas PR Form EDI Filing Process
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is the most efficient method for Texas PR Form submission, especially for operators with multiple leases across the state.
Texas EDI Advantages
- Statewide Efficiency: Handle multiple Texas counties in one submission - critical for large operators
- Basin Coverage: Submit Permian, Eagle Ford, Barnett, and Haynesville data together
- Automated Validation: Catch errors before RRC processing - saves time and penalties
- Faster Approval: Reduced processing time for Texas operations - typically 24-48 hours
- Compliance Tracking: Better audit trail for Texas regulatory requirements
- Volume Handling: Essential for operators with 100+ Texas leases
- Integration Ready: Works with major Texas production accounting systems
- Cost Savings: Reduces manual processing costs for multi-county operations
Texas EDI Success Story: Major Permian Basin operators report 90% reduction in filing errors and 75% time savings using EDI for their Texas PR Form submissions. The automated validation catches balance issues before submission to RRC.
EDI File Structure for Texas
- Header Record: Texas operator information and file details
- Detail Records: Production and disposition data for each Texas lease
- Trailer Record: Control totals and record counts
Texas EDI Tip: Organize your EDI files by Texas region or basin for easier management. Many operators group Permian Basin leases separately from East Texas operations.
Common Texas EDI Validation Issues
- Invalid Texas Lease Numbers: Verify RRC lease registration
- County Code Errors: Use correct Texas county codes
- Field Name Mismatches: Match RRC field designations
- Balance Tolerances: Ensure production equals dispositions
- Authorization Numbers: Include valid RRC permit numbers
Texas PR Form Compliance Tips
Maintaining compliance with Texas Railroad Commission requirements protects your operations and avoids penalties.
Best Practices for Texas Operators
- Early Preparation: Start PR Form preparation by the 5th of each month - critical for large Texas operations
- Automated Systems: Use production accounting software (Quorum, P2 BOLO, OGsys) for Texas operations
- Regular Reconciliation: Balance production and dispositions weekly - daily for high-volume Permian operations
- Documentation: Maintain complete records for Texas regulatory audits - RRC inspections increasing
- Staff Training: Ensure team understands Texas-specific requirements and basin differences
- Backup Procedures: Have alternative submission methods ready - EDI primary, online backup
- Basin-Specific Workflows: Customize processes for Permian vs Eagle Ford vs East Texas operations
- Vendor Relationships: Work with Texas-based service companies familiar with RRC requirements
- Technology Integration: Connect SCADA systems to production accounting for real-time data
- Compliance Calendar: Track all Texas regulatory deadlines beyond just PR Forms
Texas Operator Tip: Many successful Texas operators use a "hub and spoke" approach - centralized PR Form processing in Austin or Houston with field data collection from Midland, San Antonio, and Tyler offices.
Texas Regulatory Considerations
- Environmental Compliance: Track flaring and venting carefully
- Tax Implications: PR Form data affects Texas severance taxes
- Permit Conditions: Ensure compliance with specific permit requirements
- Multi-County Operations: Understand varying local requirements
- Basin-Specific Rules: Some Texas basins have additional requirements
Texas Success Strategy: Establish relationships with RRC district offices in your operating areas. Local RRC staff can provide valuable guidance on regional compliance issues.
Common Texas PR Form Errors
Avoid these frequent mistakes that cause delays and penalties for Texas operators.
Data Entry Errors
- Wrong Texas County Codes: Verify county where lease is located
- Invalid RRC Numbers: Check operator and lease number accuracy
- Incorrect Field Names: Use RRC-designated field names
- Date Format Issues: Follow YYYYMM format for cycle dates
- Unit Mismatches: Ensure units match product types
Balance and Calculation Errors
- Unbalanced Volumes: Production must equal dispositions within tolerance
- Negative Volumes: Check for data entry mistakes
- Excessive Shrinkage: Justify loss rates above 5%
- Missing Dispositions: Account for all production
- Allocation Errors: Properly allocate commingled production
Texas-Specific Compliance Errors
- Missing Flare Authorizations: Include RRC permit numbers - Rule 32 violations heavily penalized
- Unauthorized Venting: Limit venting to emergencies only - immediate RRC notification required
- Incomplete Purchaser Data: Provide complete buyer information - critical for severance tax
- Wrong Disposition Codes: Use appropriate codes for each situation - especially plant intake vs sales
- Late Submissions: File before 15th deadline - $50/day penalty compounds quickly
- Permian Basin Volume Errors: High-volume operations require extra accuracy
- Eagle Ford Condensate Issues: Proper classification of liquid products
- East Texas Gas Balancing: Complex pipeline allocation errors
- Multi-County Allocation: Incorrect lease-to-county assignments
- Haynesville Processing: Plant intake/output reconciliation errors
Texas Enforcement Trends: RRC enforcement has increased 300% since 2020, with particular focus on Permian Basin flaring violations and Eagle Ford condensate reporting. Operators should expect more frequent audits and inspections.
Basin-Specific Texas PR Form Guidance
Each major Texas basin has unique characteristics that affect PR Form reporting requirements and best practices.
Permian Basin (West Texas)
Permian Basin PR Form Considerations
- High Volume Operations: Many wells produce 1,000+ BOE/day requiring careful balance validation
- Flaring Challenges: Pipeline constraints lead to increased flaring - strict RRC oversight
- Multi-Zone Production: Wolfcamp, Spraberry, Bone Spring require separate reporting
- Water Disposal: Significant saltwater disposal volumes to track
- Gas Processing: Multiple processing plants require accurate intake/allocation
- Counties: Andrews, Ector, Martin, Midland, Reeves, Ward, Winkler
Eagle Ford Shale (South Texas)
Eagle Ford PR Form Considerations
- Condensate Rich: High liquid yields require accurate product classification
- Processing Plants: Extensive midstream infrastructure for NGL extraction
- Transportation: Mix of pipeline and truck transport affects disposition coding
- Rapid Decline: Production profiles require frequent volume adjustments
- Environmental Sensitivity: Increased scrutiny on emissions and flaring
- Counties: Atascosa, DeWitt, Gonzales, Karnes, La Salle, McMullen, Wilson
Barnett Shale (North Texas)
Barnett Shale PR Form Considerations
- Mature Field: Lower production rates but stable operations
- Urban Interface: Operations near Dallas-Fort Worth require extra compliance
- Gas Focus: Primarily dry gas production with minimal liquids
- Pipeline Access: Excellent pipeline connectivity reduces flaring
- Regulatory Scrutiny: High population density increases oversight
- Counties: Denton, Johnson, Parker, Tarrant, Wise
Haynesville Shale (East Texas)
Haynesville PR Form Considerations
- High Pressure Gas: Deep, high-pressure wells with complex completions
- Processing Requirements: High CO2 content requires specialized processing
- Interstate Commerce: Gas often flows to Louisiana markets
- Environmental Factors: Sensitive ecological areas require careful reporting
- Long Laterals: Extended horizontal wells cross multiple lease boundaries
- Counties: Harrison, Marshall, Panola, Shelby
Texas PR Form Resources
Essential resources for Texas oil and gas operators filing PR Forms.
Texas Railroad Commission Resources
- RRC Website: rrc.texas.gov - Official forms and guidance
- Online Filing System: Access through RRC portal
- District Offices: Local RRC offices throughout Texas
- Help Desk: Technical support for filing issues
- Training Sessions: RRC-sponsored training programs
Texas Industry Organizations
- Texas Oil & Gas Association (TXOGA): Industry advocacy and resources
- Texas Independent Producers & Royalty Owners (TIPRO): Independent operator support
- Permian Basin Petroleum Association: Regional industry group
- East Texas Energy Association: East Texas operator resources
Texas RRC District Offices & Contact Information
The Railroad Commission maintains district offices throughout Texas with specialized expertise:
- District 1 - Midland: (432) 682-3617 - Permian Basin operations, high-volume wells
- District 2 - Corpus Christi: (361) 825-3282 - Eagle Ford Shale, South Texas operations
- District 3 - Houston: (713) 654-6950 - Gulf Coast, offshore operations
- District 4 - San Antonio: (210) 308-8550 - Southwest Texas, Austin Chalk
- District 5 - Austin: (512) 463-6838 - Central Texas, regulatory headquarters
- District 6 - Dallas: (214) 373-2327 - North Texas, Barnett Shale
- District 7B - Kilgore: (903) 218-2950 - East Texas Field, Haynesville Shale
- District 8 - San Angelo: (325) 655-2773 - West Texas, conventional operations
- District 9 - Wichita Falls: (940) 723-7848 - North Central Texas
- District 10 - Beaumont: (409) 347-2334 - Southeast Texas, refining areas
Texas-Specific Software Solutions
- Quorum Business Solutions: Houston-based, strong Texas RRC integration
- P2 BOLO: Specialized in Texas unconventional operations
- OGsys: Popular with Texas independent operators
- Enertia Software: Strong Permian Basin presence
- WellView: Comprehensive Texas regulatory compliance
- PHDWin: Integrated production and regulatory reporting
Texas Legal and Consulting Resources
- Texas Oil & Gas Law Firms: Specialized in RRC compliance and enforcement
- Petroleum Engineering Consultants: Texas-based reservoir and production experts
- Regulatory Compliance Services: Third-party PR Form preparation and filing
- Environmental Consultants: Air quality and emissions reporting specialists
- Tax Consultants: Texas severance tax and PR Form integration experts