Texas oil and gas operators hit with $900,000 in fines

Texas Railroad Commissioners laid out nearly $900,000 in fines this month against pipeline contractors and oil and gas operators.

The $899,005 in fines involved 222 enforcement dockets against operators and businesses. The commissioners took the action as they have primary oversight and enforcement of the oil and gas industry and intrastate pipeline safety in Texas.

Forty-four dockets involved $455,409 in penalties after operators failed to appear at Commission enforcement proceedings.

Operators were ordered to come into compliance with Commission rules and assessed $43,546 for oil and gas, LP-Gas or pipeline safety rule violations. Pipeline operators and excavators were assessed $400,050 for violations of the Commission’s Pipeline Damage Prevention rules.