Holiday Office Closure

In observance of the Christmas holidays, Railroad Commission of Texas offices will be closed December 23-27. The offices will re-open at 8 a.m. on Monday, December 30 for regular business. Expedited Drilling Permits will be processed within standard processing times. If assistance is needed, please email Drillingpermits-info@rrc.texas.gov.
RRC maintains a 24-hour emergency phone line to report any leaks or spills. That number is 844-773-0305

Happy Holidays!

Commissioner Christian Cheers Job Growth in Texas Oil & Gas Industry

April 28, 2023

AUSTIN – Oil and gas industry trade associations TXOGA and TIPRO released industry job reports highlighting an increase of 1,500 jobs for March in the upstream sector of Texas’ oil and natural gas industry. Following review of the reports, Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian applauded the growth.

“It’s very encouraging to see this industry job growth at a time when it’s facing headwinds from Wall Street and relentless attacks from the Biden Administration,” said Commissioner Christian. “Texas’ oil and gas industry can help relieve the global energy crisis that’s been brought on by radical environmental policies and geopolitical instability. This growth goes to show that peoples’ need for reliable energy is trumping the rush-to-green movement that has attempted to end fossil fuels, and it’s an upward trend that I hope continues.”

According to the reports, upstream (exploration and production) jobs increased over the year by 20,000—or 11.2%. Since an industry low point because of COVID in September 2020, upstream employment has grown by a factor of 26 to 4 and has had an average growth of 1,390 jobs per month. Texas oil and gas companies pay some of the highest job wages in the state with an average salary of about $115,000.

A lifelong conservative businessman, Wayne Christian was elected as our 50th Texas Railroad Commissioner in November 2016. Prior to his time at the Commission, Christian served seven sessions in the Texas House of Representatives, accumulating a strong record of standing for free markets and against burdensome regulations. Christian is married to his wife, Lisa, and together they have three daughters, Liza, Lindsey and Lauren. You can learn more about Chairman Christian here.

About the Railroad Commission:
Our mission is to serve Texas by our stewardship of natural resources and the environment, our concern for personal and community safety, and our support of enhanced development and economic vitality for the benefit of Texans. The Commission has a long and proud history of service to both Texas and to the nation, including more than 100 years regulating the oil and gas industry. The Commission also has jurisdiction over alternative fuels safety, natural gas utilities, surface mining and intrastate pipelines. Established in 1891, the Railroad Commission of Texas is the oldest regulatory agency in the state. To learn more, please visit https://www.rrc.texas.gov/about-us/.