Department of the Interior

The RRC is now utilizing the first phase of IIJA Formula Grants to plug wells. However, the formula grants include administrative hurdles that are not specified in the IIJA, such as reviews of Endangered Species Act compliance and compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act, that significantly delay plugging projects. In fact, in the first 12 months of the IIJA Formula Grant, the RRC plugged 45 percent fewer wells using federal funds than were plugged during the first 12 months of the IIJA Initial Grant due to the reviews. “We are proud to remain a leader in well plugging efforts nationwide and look forward to working with the new Secretary of the Interior to expeditiously plug wells in Texas,” said RRC Executive Director Wei Wang. “According to a recent Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission study, thanks to RRC’s robust state managed plugging program, Texas has seen one of the lowest increases in orphaned well population. We would urge our federal partners to examine and remove the red tape implemented by the previous program staff. Texas stands ready and we are more than capable of accomplishing this important work efficiently.”- oil and gas 360

Texas Railroad Commission successfully complies with well plugging grants

March 18, 2025

(World Oil) – The U.S. Department of the Interior Office of the Inspector General has released an audit report showing the Railroad Commission of Texas successfully used federal grant funding for orphaned well plugging and complied with all related laws and regulations. The RRC utilized its 40 years of well plugging expertise to expend a $25 million Initial Grant from

Trump’s Interior Department nominee says boosting energy key to US security

January 16, 2025

(Investing) – Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Interior Department, Doug Burgum, said on Thursday he will vigorously pursue the president-elect’s goals of maximizing energy production from U.S. public lands and waters, calling it key to national security. Burgum’s comments to lawmakers during his nomination hearing signal a coming sharp turn in policy after President Joe Biden attempted for years to

Department of the Interior proposes second offshore wind auction in Gulf of Mexico

March 22, 2024

World Oil (WO) — The Department of the Interior announced its proposal for a second offshore wind energy auction in the Gulf of Mexico. The proposed lease sale includes four areas offshore Louisiana and Texas, totaling 410,060 acres, which the department claims has the potential to power 1.2 million homes. With the proposed sale, BOEM is seeking feedback on various

Gale Norton Joins Liberty Oilfield Services’ Board of Directors

July 24, 2019

By Tyler Losier, Energy Reporter, Oil & Gas 360 Liberty Oilfield Services appoints Gale Norton to its board of directors Gale Norton, former secretary of the interior for the George W. Bush White House, will be joining Liberty Oilfield Services (stock ticker: LBRT) as a member of its board of directors. Additionally, she has been appointed as the chair of

Offshore Pain Continues: Shell Cancels $600,000/Day Transocean Rig

December 28, 2015

Polar Pioneer was the Focus of Protests Just Months Ago Royal Dutch Shell (ticker: RDS.B) delivered some bad news for Transocean (ticker: RIG) as companies returned to their respective offices following an extended Christmas weekend. According to a RIG press release, Shell elected to cancel its contract for the Polar Pioneer rig, which was originally scheduled to expire in July

New Fracing Rules from the Department of the Interior

March 20, 2015

The U.S. Department of the Interior announces new guidelines for hydraulic fracturing on federal land Earlier today, the Department of Interior (DOI) released a final rule to update regulations governing hydraulic fracturing on public and American Indian lands after four years of consideration. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell commented, “Many of the regulations on the books at the Interior