Researching Groundwater Protection Determinations and Data

Groundwater Protection Determinations

June 6, 2015 to Current

RRC Online System - Groundwater Application (GW-1) Database

The RRC Online System is the RRC’s online filing application system and database, located at: https://webapps.rrc.texas.gov/security/login.do. Select the Groundwater (GW-1) Application in the “Menu Main” in the RRC Online System. The side menu includes a search called “All Applications,” which will take you to a search form with parameters that can be used to find Forms GW-1, Groundwater Protection Determination Request Form, and GW-2, Groundwater Protection Determination.

For instructions on how to gain access to the RRC Online System (e.g. Groundwater (GW-1) Application or Drilling Permits W-1 Application), visit the RRC Online System Login Page under "How to Obtain a User ID."

Fall 2008 to June 6, 2015

Groundwater Protection Determination Letters Database

You can research groundwater protection determinations in Neubus online at: https://rrcsearch3.neubus.com/.

2001 to 2009

State Archives Groundwater Protection Determinations

The RRC’s GAU is in the process of adding groundwater protection determinations from 2001 to 2009 to the Groundwater Protection Determination Letters Database. To request a determination from this period not available online, email the GAU at [email protected].

1956 to 2000

Micro-Filmed Groundwater Protection Determinations

To obtain hard-copies of groundwater determinations, contact the RRC's Central Records in Austin. Instructions for requesting hard-copies can be found on the RRC Oil and Gas Well Records web page.

Groundwater Data

You can research RRC oil and gas records that may include groundwater data stored in Neubus using the Oil and Gas Imaged Records Menu.

Geophysical Well Logs

Much of what we know about deep groundwater resources comes from geophysical well logs provided by oil and gas exploration companies. The following are sources for well logs available at the RRC.

Oil and Gas Well Logs

The RRC’s online database of well logs that can be accessed through Neubus by keyword searches (e.g. API number, lease name, county) at the following hyperlink: https://rrcsearch3.neubus.com.

RRC Public GIS Viewer

Location: https://gis.rrc.texas.gov/GISViewer/.

Any well for which the RRC has a log in our online database can be highlighted by clicking the checkbox by “Well Logs” in the “Visibility” menu in the left-hand of the screen. You can then access a link to the well log by clicking on the well spot using the “Identify Wells” tool.

GAU Well Log Library

The RRC’s GAU maintains a geophysical well log library that includes logs that may not be available in our online databases. To obtain hardcopies of these logs, contact the RRC's Central Records in Austin. Some of these logs may also be available in electronic format (e.g. TIFF, PDF). Visit the RRC Oil and Gas Well Records web page.

Injection Disposal Permits

Disposal Permits (Form W-14) – Neubus records of permits authorizing disposal into a non-productive formation can be searched online at: https://rrcsearch3.neubus.com

Injection/Disposal Permits (Form H-1/H-1A)– Neubus records of permits authorizing injection/disposal into a formation of productive oil or gas can be search online at: https://rrcsearch3.neubus.com.

Groundwater Data Outside RRC

Texas Water Development Board (TWDB)

Groundwater Data Webpage - Contains groundwater data and reports organized by county and aquifer. Located at: http://www.twdb.texas.gov/groundwater/data/index.asp

Water Data Interactive – Online statewide water well and well log database and geographic information system. Located at: http://www.twdb.texas.gov/mapping/index.asp

University of Texas – Bureau of Economic Geology (BEG)

Drilling Insight and Casing Estimator (DICE) – Website that provides estimates of well casing depths in Texas. (The information provided by the Drilling Insight and Casing Estimator does not replace the need for a GAU groundwater protection determination). Located at: https://www.beg.utexas.edu/dice

Geophyiscal Log Facility - An estimated 1.5 million logs are archived at the Geophysical Log Facility, and include the RRC collection, donated logs from industry, and logs from BEG research projects. Other datasets available at the Geophysical Log Facility include Well Records, Driller’s Logs, Strip Logs, Mud Logs, Core Analysis, and Scout Tickets from thousands of Texas wells. Contacts for and information about the facility is on the webpage: https://www.beg.utexas.edu/about/facilities/geophysical-log-facility