Texas Railroad Commission Form H-5 is the Disposal/Injection Well Pressure Test Report that every operator of a permitted injection or disposal well must file to document a mechanical integrity test (MIT) on that well. You use it to prove that your well’s casing, tubing, and packer hold pressure and will not leak fluids into groundwater or other zones, and you must file it within 30 days of the test.
Getting this form wrong is not a small clerical problem. A failed or unfiled H-5 can trigger a 60-day repair-and-retest letter from the Commission, force you to shut in the well, or put your injection permit at risk. As of April 2021, operators must file the Form H-5 online through the RRC Online System, though paper filing still exists for wells without a lease number. This guide uses the current 11/04/2020 revision of the form.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 🛢️ What Form H-5 is, who must file it, and the statewide rules that require it.
- 📋 The exact documents, numbers, and test data you need before you open the form.
- ✍️ A line-by-line walkthrough of all 25 items, with sample entries for each box.
- 👷 Three full filled-out examples following real operators through the whole form.
- ⚠️ The most common mistakes that get H-5 reports rejected and how to avoid them.
What Form H-5 Is and Who Must File It
Form H-5 is the official report that documents a mechanical integrity test on a Class II injection or disposal well in Texas. The Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) receives the form through its Underground Injection Control (UIC) program, which protects underground sources of drinking water from oil-and-gas fluids. The form proves that your tubing, packer, and casing hold pressure and will not leak. Without a passing H-5 on record, the Commission treats your well as if it has no proven integrity.
The people who file this form are oil-and-gas operators and the field or compliance staff who work for them. You do not need to hire a testing company. The RRC confirms that anyone authorized by the operator can perform the standard H-5 pressure test, so a pumper or field hand can run the test if they follow the instructions. The certificate at the bottom of the form must be signed by a person authorized to report for the operator.
The form is required by Statewide Rules 9 and 46 in Title 16 of the Texas Administrative Code, which govern disposal wells and fluid injection into productive reservoirs. The plain-English meaning is simple: if you hold an injection or disposal permit, you must test the well on a set schedule and report the result on H-5. Ignoring this rule means you are operating an unpermitted-condition well, which can lead to enforcement, shut-in orders, and penalties under Section 91.143 of the Texas Natural Resources Code. For example, Permian Basin Disposal LLC runs a saltwater disposal well in Midland County and must file an H-5 each time it tests, whether the well passes or fails.
One common misconception is that H-5 is the same as Form H-15. It is not. The H-15 test applies to shut-in production wells, while H-5 is the more thorough test for active injection and disposal wells, and the two should never be swapped.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
The H-5 asks for data from three places: your permit, your well records, and the test you just ran. Gather everything below before you open the online filing system, because the form will not let you save useful progress with key fields blank. Missing one number, like the authorized injection pressure, can stall the entire filing.
Here is your pre-filing checklist:
- Your injection/disposal permit (Form W-14 or W-3X approval). It states your authorized injection pressure and permitted interval; without it you may enter the wrong maximum pressure and run an invalid test.
- RRC Operator Number (P-5 number). The Commission links the test to your organization, and a wrong number files the report under another operator.
- API number for the well. This 14-digit number identifies the exact wellbore; an error here attaches your test to the wrong well.
- Lease name and oil lease number or gas ID number. Online filing only works for wells with a lease number; without it you must file on paper.
- RRC District number and county. These route your form to the correct District Office, which must approve and witness scheduling.
- Well completion record. You need surface casing, long string casing, and tubing sizes, depths set, and top of cement (TOC); missing TOC now causes rejections because the field is required.
- Packer make, model, and depth set. The test proves the packer holds, so the Commission needs to know what it is and where it sits.
- The signed pressure recording chart from the test. For any test not witnessed by an RRC representative, you must file this chart with the form, or the report is incomplete.
You should also confirm your test schedule before testing. Wells with full surface casing through all usable-quality groundwater test every five years, while wells without that protection test more often, usually once a year. Knowing your cycle tells you which box to check in Item 12.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
You get Form H-5 directly from the Railroad Commission of Texas. The fillable PDF lives on the agency’s site, and you can download the current Form H-5 PDF for reference or for paper filing. The form also appears on the master Oil & Gas Forms page, listed as “H-5, Disposal/Injection Well Pressure Test Report,” with the User Guide marked revision 11/20.
Since April 2021, the standard channel is online filing through the RRC Online System. You log in with your RRC Online System user ID, which is tied to your P-5 operator registration, and select the H-5 filing option. The system pre-populates well data from Commission records once you enter the lease and well identifiers, which cuts down on typing errors. The agency walks through the screens in its H-5 User’s Guide, a step-by-step PDF that mirrors the online flow.
Paper filing still has a narrow use. The Commission notes that only tests for wells with a lease number can be filed online, so a well with no lease number on record must be filed on the paper PDF and mailed to the District Office. For example, Aisha Rahman, a compliance clerk for a small operator, finds her newly drilled disposal well has no lease number yet, so she prints the PDF and mails it while the lease number is being assigned. If your well already has a lease number, always use the online system.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form H-5 Line by Line
The form has 25 numbered items plus a certificate block. Fill them in the order shown, because later items depend on data from earlier ones. Use ALL CAPS for names and IDs, and enter dates as MM/DD/YYYY. Sample entries below are shown in italics so you can tell them apart from the instructions.
Item 1: Operator’s Name
This field asks for the legal name of the company or person that holds the injection or disposal permit. Enter the operator name exactly as it appears on your P-5 Organization Report, not a trade name or a field nickname. For example, Permian Basin Disposal LLC types its full registered name, not “PBD.” A nuance: if your company recently changed names, use the name currently on file with the Commission, not the new one you have not yet registered. A common mistake is entering the lease operator’s informal name, which causes the report to mismatch the P-5 record and bounce back. People wrongly believe any version of the company name works, but the Commission cross-checks the name against the operator number, so an exact match matters.
Item 2: RRC Operator No.
This is your six-digit Railroad Commission operator number, also called the P-5 number. Enter the number assigned to your organization when it registered with the Commission, with no spaces or letters. For example, 123456 identifies the operator in every Commission database. A nuance: if you operate under more than one organization, use the number tied to the entity that actually holds this well’s permit. A common mistake is using a parent company’s number when a subsidiary holds the permit, which files the test under the wrong operator and breaks the test schedule for the right one. Many filers think the operator number and the lease number are interchangeable, but they are separate identifiers and must both be correct.
Item 3: Address
This field asks for the operator’s current mailing address. Enter the street or P.O. box, city, state, and ZIP code that match your P-5 registration, because the Commission mails repair-and-retest letters here. For example, 500 W Texas Ave, Suite 200, Midland, TX 79701. A nuance: a P.O. Box is fine here since this is a mailing address, not a well location. A common mistake is listing the well-site address instead of the operator’s address, which can route official correspondence to an unmanned location and cause you to miss a 60-day retest deadline. Some filers assume the address auto-fills correctly online, but you should still verify it, because an outdated P-5 address carries over.
Item 4: RRC District No.
This field asks which Railroad Commission district your well sits in. Enter the district number that matches the well’s county, such as 08 for much of the Permian Basin. A nuance: districts do not always follow county lines you expect, so confirm the district on your permit rather than guessing. A common mistake is entering the wrong district, which sends the form to a District Office that cannot act on it and delays the 48-hour test notification process. Filers sometimes think the district is optional for online filing, but it drives where your test scheduling and witnessing happen, so it is never optional.
Item 5: County
This field asks for the Texas county where the well is located. Enter the county name in full, such as MIDLAND, matching the county on your permit. A nuance: if a lease straddles two counties, use the county where this specific wellbore is located, not the lease headquarters. A common mistake is entering a neighboring county, which can pair with a wrong district number and misroute the filing. People often assume county and district carry the same information, but the Commission uses both to confirm the well’s location, so fill in each one.
Item 6: Field Name
This field asks for the field name exactly as shown on the RRC proration schedule. Type the official field name, such as SPRABERRY (TREND AREA), copying it letter for letter from the schedule. A nuance: disposal wells not tied to a producing field may use a designated disposal field name from the permit. A common mistake is paraphrasing or abbreviating the field name, which prevents the system from matching it to the field number in Item 7. Many filers think the field name is just a label, but the Commission ties it to a specific field number and rules, so accuracy controls how the well is categorized.
Item 7: Field No.
This field asks for the numeric field code that pairs with the field name. Enter the field number from the proration schedule, such as 85390001. A nuance: if you filed online, this number usually auto-populates once the field name is selected, so confirm it rather than retype it. A common mistake is mixing up the field number with the lease number, which scrambles the well’s identity in Commission records. Filers sometimes believe the field number is unnecessary if the field name is correct, but the two must agree, and the number is what the database reads.
Item 8: API No.
This field asks for the well’s American Petroleum Institute number, the unique 14-digit wellbore identifier. Enter it in full, such as 42-329-12345-00-00, copying it from the well completion record (Form W-2 or G-1). A nuance: the API number never changes for the life of the wellbore, even after recompletion, so use the original. A common mistake is transposing digits, which attaches your passing test to a different well and leaves the real well showing no integrity test. People wrongly think the API number is optional when the lease number is present, but it pinpoints the exact wellbore and is the most reliable identifier on the form.
Item 9: Lease Name
This field asks for the lease name as recorded with the Commission. Enter the lease name exactly as filed, such as SMITH RANCH SWD. A nuance: disposal wells often carry an “SWD” tag in the lease name, so include it if it is part of the official record. A common mistake is using an informal lease nickname, which fails to match Commission records and can block online filing. Filers often assume the lease name is just for their own reference, but the Commission matches it against the lease number in Item 10, so it must be exact.
Item 10a and 10b: Oil Lease No. / Gas ID No.
This field asks for the lease number that ties the well to a producing lease or disposal authority. Enter the oil lease number in 10a or the gas ID number in 10b, depending on well type, such as 05678 for an oil lease. A nuance: a well with no lease number cannot be filed online and must go on paper to the District Office. A common mistake is leaving both blank for a well that does have a number, which stops the online form from populating well data. People sometimes confuse the gas ID number with the field number, but the gas ID identifies the lease, and entering the wrong one misfiles the test.
Item 11: Well No.
This field asks for the specific well number on the lease. Enter the well designation as recorded, such as 1WD or 3. A nuance: disposal wells often carry a “WD” or “D” suffix, so include it exactly as filed. A common mistake is entering the production well number for a different well on the same lease, which files the test against the wrong wellbore. Many filers think any well on the lease will do for scheduling purposes, but each wellbore tests on its own schedule, so the well number must be exact.
Item 12: Reason for Test
This field asks why you ran this test, and you check one box. The choices are Initial Test Prior to Injection, After Workover, Annual Test Required By Permit, Five-Year Test Required By Rule, and Other (Specify). For example, a new disposal well that has never injected checks Initial Test Prior to Injection. A nuance: a well that just had tubing or packer replaced checks After Workover, even if an annual test was also due. A common mistake is checking “Annual” when the test follows a workover, which can leave the Commission expecting another annual test sooner than needed. Filers often think the reason box is informational only, but it sets the well’s next test due date, so the right box keeps your schedule correct.
Item 13: Date of Test
This field asks for the date the pressure test was actually performed. Enter it as MM/DD/YYYY, such as 05/14/2026. A nuance: this is the test date, not the filing date, and the two are usually days apart. A common mistake is entering the date you fill out the form, which can make a timely test look late and start a false retest clock. People assume the date is a formality, but the 30-day filing window runs from this date, so it must be the true test date.
Item 14: Retest?
This field asks whether this test is a retest after a previous failure. Check YES or NO. For example, a well that passed on the first attempt checks NO. A nuance: if you check YES, you must follow Instruction No. 5 and explain the prior failure and the repair in Item 24. A common mistake is checking NO on a retest, which hides the earlier failure from the record and can be treated as an incomplete report. Filers sometimes think a retest is just a new test, but the Commission tracks the failure history, so a retest must be flagged.
Item 15: Well Completion (Surface Casing, Long String Casing, Tubing)
This field asks for the size, depth set, and top of cement (TOC) for your surface casing, long string casing, and tubing. Enter each measurement in the grid, such as surface casing 8-5/8 in., set 1,200 ft, TOC surface. A nuance: the TOC column is now required, and the Commission flags forms that leave it blank, so report TOC for each string even if it is at surface. A common mistake is omitting TOC, which is one of the most frequent causes of rejected H-5 reports under the current revision. People often believe casing details are background information, but the Commission uses them to judge whether usable groundwater is protected, which sets your test frequency.
Item 16a and 16b: Packer Make, Model, and Depth Set
This field asks for the packer’s make and model (16a) and the depth it is set (16b). Enter the manufacturer and model, such as Baker Model D, set 5,950 ft. A nuance: if the well injects through casing with no packer, note that arrangement, since the differential-pressure rule then does not apply the same way. A common mistake is leaving the packer depth blank, which makes the Commission question whether the annulus test is valid. Filers often think the packer detail is optional, but the test exists to prove the packer holds, so its make and depth are central to the report.
Item 17: Authorized Injection Pressure (PSIG)
This field asks for the maximum injection pressure your permit allows. Enter the permitted maximum in pounds per square inch gauge, such as 1,500. A nuance: if you cannot find the permit, the Commission suggests a safe test pressure of 500 psi, but you should confirm the real number from your permit. A common mistake is entering an injection pressure higher than the permit allows, which signals an operating violation on the face of the form. People wrongly think this is the pressure they tested at, but it is the permitted maximum, and the test pressure in Item 19 is a separate value.
Item 18a and 18b: Permitted and Completed Injection Interval
This field asks for the top and bottom depths of the permitted injection interval (18a) and the completed injection interval (18b). Enter each depth in feet, such as permitted Top 6,000 ft, Bottom 6,400 ft. A nuance: the completed interval should fall inside the permitted interval, and if it does not, you have a permit problem to resolve first. A common mistake is swapping the permitted and completed values, which can make a compliant well look like it injects outside its permit. Filers sometimes assume the two intervals are always identical, but completions can differ from the permit, so report each separately.
Item 19: Test Pressure (PSIG)
This field asks for the pressure readings during the test, recorded at the initial, 15-minute, and 30-minute marks for tubing, casing, and surface casing. Enter each reading in the grid, such as casing Initial 800, 15 min 795, 30 min 792. A nuance: the casing test pressure must be at least 200 psig and equal to your authorized injection pressure or 500 psig, whichever is less, and a 200-psig differential must exist between the annulus and tubing for tubing-and-packer wells. A common mistake is letting the pressure drop more than 10% over 30 minutes, which fails the test because integrity is not demonstrated. People think any pressure above zero passes, but the pressure must stabilize within 10% of the starting pressure for 30 minutes to pass.
Item 20: Characteristics of Injection Fluid
This field asks for the properties of the fluid you inject, and you fill it in if a pressure anomaly occurs. Enter details like temperature and specific gravity, such as produced saltwater, sg 1.08, when needed to explain a pressure change. A nuance: per Instruction 4(e), you only need this if an anomaly appears during the test, but many operators complete it anyway. A common mistake is leaving it blank when an anomaly occurred, which leaves the Commission unable to judge whether the result is valid. Filers often skip this box thinking it never matters, but it becomes essential the moment the gauge behaves oddly.
Item 21: Characteristics of Annulus Fluid
This field asks for the properties of the fluid in the tubing-casing annulus during the test. Enter the fluid type and properties, such as fresh water, sg 1.00, and if the annulus was not loaded with fluid, explain why here. A nuance: wells that inject liquids must test with a liquid-filled annulus, while gas-only wells may use a gas-filled annulus tested for 60 minutes. A common mistake is using an empty or gas annulus on a liquid-injection well without explanation, which invalidates the test. People assume the annulus fluid is irrelevant, but it represents the hydrostatic column the well sees in service, so it shapes a valid test.
Item 22: Test Witnessed by RRC?
This field asks whether a Railroad Commission representative watched the test. Check YES or NO, and if YES, write the representative’s name. A nuance: if you check NO, Instruction 4(a) requires you to file the signed pressure recording chart with the form. A common mistake is checking NO and forgetting to attach the chart, which makes the report incomplete and unverifiable. Filers sometimes believe a witnessed test still needs the chart attached, but a witnessed test is verified by the representative, so the attachment rule applies mainly to unwitnessed tests.
Item 23: Were Other Tests/Surveys Performed?
This field asks whether you ran other tests or surveys at the same time, such as a radioactive tracer or temperature survey. Check YES or NO, and list any other tests if YES. For example, NO for a routine annual pressure test. A nuance: alternative MIT methods like tracer surveys are listed here and may need separate documentation. A common mistake is failing to list a survey you actually ran, which leaves part of your integrity demonstration off the record. People think only the pressure test counts, but the Commission wants a full picture of everything done that day.
Item 24: Operator Comments on Test
This field is a free-text box for explaining anything unusual, and it is where retest details go. Enter the date of the last unsuccessful test and the remedial action taken, such as Failed test 03/02/2026; replaced tubing and packer; retested 05/14/2026. A nuance: per Instruction No. 5, a retest in Item 14 must be explained here. A common mistake is leaving this blank on a retest, which makes the retest impossible to evaluate and can void it. Filers often treat this box as optional, but for retests and anomalies it is required, and a clear explanation speeds approval.
Item 25: Well Status and Certificate
This field asks for the well’s current status and your signed certification. Check Active, Temporarily Abandoned, or Other, then sign the certificate with your name, title, telephone number, and date. For example, Active, signed by John Carter, Operations Manager, 432-555-0100, 05/20/2026. A nuance: the certificate invokes Section 91.143 of the Texas Natural Resources Code, so signing a false report carries legal penalties. A common mistake is leaving the title or phone number blank, which can delay processing when the Commission needs to reach you. People think the signature is a formality, but it is a sworn statement, and an unsigned form is not a valid filing.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
The examples below follow three operators through the most common H-5 situations: an initial test, an annual test, and a retest after failure. Each shows the key entries so you can see how the boxes work together.
Scenario 1: Initial Test on a New Disposal Well
John Carter manages a brand-new saltwater disposal well for Permian Basin Disposal LLC in Midland County and must test before any injection begins.
| Form Section | What John Enters |
|---|---|
| Item 1, Operator’s Name | PERMIAN BASIN DISPOSAL LLC |
| Item 2, RRC Operator No. | 123456 |
| Item 8, API No. | 42-329-12345-00-00 |
| Item 11, Well No. | 1WD |
| Item 12, Reason for Test | Initial Test Prior to Injection |
| Item 13, Date of Test | 05/14/2026 |
| Item 17, Authorized Injection Pressure | 1,500 PSIG |
| Item 19, Test Pressure (casing) | Initial 800, 15 min 798, 30 min 796 |
| Item 22, Witnessed by RRC? | YES, Insp. M. Reyes |
| Item 25, Well Status | Active |
Because John’s pressure held within 10% for 30 minutes, the well passes and may begin injection under its permit.
Scenario 2: Annual Test Required by Permit
Maria Lopez, a field compliance lead, files the yearly test on an injection well in Ector County that lacks full surface casing protection.
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Item 1, Operator’s Name | WEST TEXAS INJECTION CO |
| Item 2, RRC Operator No. | 654321 |
| Item 9, Lease Name | LOPEZ UNIT |
| Item 11, Well No. | 2I |
| Item 12, Reason for Test | Annual Test Required By Permit |
| Item 13, Date of Test | 04/30/2026 |
| Item 15, Surface Casing TOC | Surface |
| Item 19, Test Pressure (casing) | Initial 600, 15 min 595, 30 min 593 |
| Item 21, Annulus Fluid | Fresh water, sg 1.00 |
| Item 25, Well Status | Active |
Maria’s test passes and resets the well’s annual test clock for another year.
Scenario 3: Retest After a Failed Test
Marcus Allen, an operations engineer, retests a disposal well in Reeves County after the first test failed from a tubing leak.
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| Item 1, Operator’s Name | LONE STAR DISPOSAL LP |
| Item 11, Well No. | 5D |
| Item 12, Reason for Test | After Workover |
| Item 13, Date of Test | 05/20/2026 |
| Item 14, Retest? | YES |
| Item 16a, Packer Make/Model | Baker Model D |
| Item 19, Test Pressure (casing) | Initial 700, 15 min 698, 30 min 697 |
| Item 22, Witnessed by RRC? | NO (chart attached) |
| Item 24, Operator Comments | Failed test 03/02/2026; replaced tubing and packer; retested |
| Item 25, Well Status | Active |
Marcus checks YES on retest and explains the repair in Item 24, and his attached pressure chart verifies the passing result.
How to File the Completed Form
You can file Form H-5 online or, in narrow cases, by mail. Whichever channel you use, you must file within 30 days of the test date, and you must notify the District Office at least 48 hours before the test itself.
Online (standard channel). Log in to the RRC Online System with your P-5-linked user ID and select the H-5 filing. There is no filing fee for Form H-5, so no payment method is needed. Online filings process faster than paper because well data is pre-matched, and your proof of filing is the on-screen confirmation and tracking number you should save or print. The H-5 User’s Guide shows each screen.
By mail (paper, limited use). For a well with no lease number, print the fillable PDF, complete it, and file in duplicate with the appropriate RRC District Office, including the signed pressure chart for any unwitnessed test. There is no fee, so no payment is included. Paper filings take longer to post, and your proof of filing is the date-stamped copy you keep, so mail it with delivery tracking. Find your District Office address through the Commission’s district contacts.
For example, Aisha Rahman files her lease-numbered well online and saves the confirmation number, while her one no-lease well goes by certified mail to District 08. Keep every confirmation and stamped copy for your records.
What Happens After You File
Once the Commission receives your H-5, it reviews the test result and updates the well’s record. A passing test resets the test clock, so the next test is scheduled from the date of this test, whether the test was routine or followed a workover. The well stays authorized to inject under its permit conditions.
A failed test triggers action. The Commission notes that filing a “failed” test tells the agency you met the testing requirement, and it then sends a letter directing you to repair and retest the well within 60 days. Under most operating conditions, a well that fails must be shut in, repaired, and retested before it can inject again. In rare low-pressure, fully cased cases, UIC may allow limited continued operation with frequent monitoring.
You must report every test, not just the ones that pass. The RRC is clear that Form H-5 should document all mechanical integrity tests, including failed ones. Hiding a failed test by not filing it can become an enforcement matter, so file the result you actually got and start the repair process.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
Each error below has a direct consequence, so check your form against this list before you submit.
- Leaving the TOC blank in Item 15. The current revision flags missing TOC, and the form gets rejected.
- Entering the filing date instead of the test date in Item 13. Your 30-day window looks blown and a false retest clock can start.
- Checking the wrong reason box in Item 12. The well’s next test due date is set wrong, leading to a missed or premature test notice.
- Using a trade name instead of the registered operator name in Item 1. The form fails the P-5 name match and bounces back.
- Transposing digits in the API number in Item 8. Your passing test attaches to the wrong wellbore, leaving the real well unproven.
- Entering an injection pressure above the permit in Item 17. The form shows an operating violation on its face.
- Letting test pressure drop more than 10% over 30 minutes. The test fails and the well must be shut in and retested.
- Checking “NO” on retest in Item 14 when the test follows a failure. The failure history is hidden and the report is treated as incomplete.
- Forgetting to attach the signed pressure chart on an unwitnessed test. The report is unverifiable and incomplete.
- Leaving the certificate in Item 25 unsigned. An unsigned form is not a valid filing and is not processed.
- Using a gas or empty annulus on a liquid-injection well without explanation. The test is invalid because it does not represent service conditions.
- Filing on paper when the well has a lease number. The Commission expects online filing, which delays processing.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s
- Do notify the District Office at least 48 hours before testing, because testing early without approval can void the test.
- Do use a pressure recorder and keep the casing pressure within 30-70% of full scale, because off-scale charts are not accepted.
- Do match every name and number to your P-5 and permit records, because mismatches cause rejections.
- Do file within 30 days of the test date, because late filing can trigger enforcement.
- Do report failed tests, because the Commission requires every MIT to be documented.
- Do save your online confirmation or stamped copy, because it is your only proof of filing.
Don’ts
- Don’t leave wellhead pressure observation valves open, because the RRC cites this as an operating violation.
- Don’t use packer-fluid additives that mask leaks, because Rules 9 and 46 expressly prohibit them.
- Don’t swap H-5 with H-15, because H-15 does not apply to active injection wells.
- Don’t guess the authorized injection pressure, because an error can show a violation or invalidate the test.
- Don’t skip Item 24 on a retest, because the retest cannot be evaluated without the explanation.
- Don’t enter the completed interval as the permitted interval, because it can make a compliant well look out of permit.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Many operators file H-5 themselves, while larger ones use compliance staff or consultants. The table compares the two paths.
| Filing on Your Own | Filing With Professional Help |
|---|---|
| No service cost, since anyone authorized by the operator can test and file. | Added cost for a consultant or testing company’s time. |
| Full control over timing, so you can schedule around field work. | Less direct control, since you rely on a third party’s calendar. |
| Builds in-house knowledge of your wells and permits. | Brings expertise that lowers the chance of a rejected filing. |
| Fast for routine annual tests once you know the form. | Helpful for complex retests, alternative MIT methods, or unusual completions. |
| Direct accountability, since you sign the certificate. | Shared workload frees your staff for other tasks. |
Pros of filing on your own: lower cost, scheduling control, in-house knowledge, speed on routine tests, and direct accountability. Cons: higher error risk if you are new, time spent learning the system, and difficulty with complex retests. The right path depends on how many wells you run and how routine the test is.
FAQs
Do I have to file Form H-5 even if my well failed the test?
Yes. Form H-5 documents every mechanical integrity test, not just passing ones. Filing a failed test shows you met the testing requirement and prompts the Commission to send a 60-day repair-and-retest letter.
Do I need to hire a testing company to run the H-5 test?
No. Anyone authorized by the operator can perform the standard pressure test. You only need outside help for specialized methods like radioactive tracer or temperature surveys.
Do I write the test date or the filing date in Item 13?
No, you do not use the filing date. Item 13 is the date the pressure test was actually performed, and the 30-day filing window runs from that test date.
Do I have to report the Top of Cement (TOC) in Item 15?
Yes. The TOC column is required on the current revision, even if cement is at surface. Leaving it blank is a common reason H-5 reports get rejected.
Do I check “Annual” or “After Workover” if I tested right after replacing tubing?
No, not “Annual.” Check After Workover in Item 12 when the test follows tubing or packer work, because that box sets the correct next test date.
Do I file Form H-5 online or on paper?
Yes, online is the standard channel as of April 2021. Only wells with no lease number must file on the paper PDF and mail it to the District Office.
Do I attach the pressure recording chart to the form?
Yes, for any test not witnessed by an RRC representative. The signed chart proves the result and the form is incomplete without it.
Do I enter the test pressure or the permitted pressure in Item 17?
No, not the test pressure. Item 17 is the maximum authorized injection pressure from your permit; the actual test readings go in Item 19.
Do I have to notify the Railroad Commission before testing?
Yes. You must notify the appropriate District Office at least 48 hours before any pressure test, and you cannot start early without their approval.
Does a passing test reset my testing schedule?
Yes. A passing test resets the clock, and the next test is scheduled from this test date, whether it was routine or done after a workover.
Do I pay a fee to file Form H-5?
No. There is no filing fee for Form H-5, whether you file online or by mail. You only bear the cost of running the test itself.
Does my casing test pressure have a minimum?
Yes. The casing test pressure must be at least 200 psig, and equal to your authorized injection pressure or 500 psig, whichever is less, holding within 10% for 30 minutes.
Do I use Form H-5 or Form H-15 for my injection well?
No, not H-15. H-15 applies only to shut-in production wells. Active injection and disposal wells always use the more thorough Form H-5 test.
Do I have to keep testing a shut-in injection well?
Yes. Once a well is used for injection, it must demonstrate integrity on schedule until the permit is canceled or suspended, even if it is not currently injecting.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Texas Railroad Commission Form H-1 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Texas Railroad Commission Form H-10 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Texas Railroad Commission Form H-15 (w/Examples) + FAQs
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