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Oil and Gas Regulation Stories & local character

The Railroad Commission Regulates Oil and Gas Wells, Not Royalties

Jefferson County Rules & Licenses

The Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) regulates the drilling, production, and plugging of oil and gas wells statewide. In Jefferson County, which has a long history of oil production going back to the 1901 Spindletop discovery, there are many permitted wells across the county. You can search active wells and production data by county at rrc.texas.gov.

The RRC does not handle disputes over royalties or lease terms. If you own minerals and believe you are owed royalties, that is a civil matter handled by attorneys and courts. Before buying land with mineral interests, consult a title company and a lawyer who handles oil and gas matters in Texas.

Content last revised 2026-07-11

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