The Railroad Commission Is Really an Oil-and-Gas Office

The name is left over from the past. The agency began with railroads in 1891. All rail work later moved to other agencies. Today its main job is to oversee oil and gas, pipes, gas service, LP-gas, and some mines.

Its well records and public map can show permits, well reports, plugging reports, oil and gas output, and mapped well sites. These are useful clues. They do not prove who owns the land or minerals.

The Commission does not decide lease terms, pipeline easements, property title, or royalty payments.

For a land or mineral deal, compare its well records with county-filed deeds and other records. A title review and a Texas oil-and-gas lawyer can help with the private rights.