Texas Railroad Commission Form W-14 is the Application to Dispose of Oil and Gas Waste by Injection into a Formation Not Productive of Oil and Gas, and every operator who wants to inject saltwater or other oil and gas waste into a non-productive zone must file it with the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) before drilling or converting a disposal well. The current version carries a 07/2016 revision date in the lower-left corner, so check that before you start. You file it under Statewide Rule 9, the rule that governs disposal wells inside Texas under the federally approved Underground Injection Control program.
Getting this form right matters because a single missing attachment can stall your well for weeks while produced water keeps piling up at your lease. The RRC reviews thousands of injection-storage filings each year, and an administrative permit can issue in as few as 15 days after notice is complete, yet incomplete W-14 packages are routinely returned and reset that clock to zero.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📋 What Form W-14 is, who must file it, and the law behind it
- 🗂️ Every document and number you must gather before you open the form
- ✍️ A line-by-line walkthrough of all 44 items, with sample entries
- 👥 Three full filled-out scenarios using named operators
- 💵 The exact fees, filing channels, and proof you should keep
- 🚫 The most common mistakes that get a W-14 returned, and how to dodge them
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
Form W-14 is the permit application that lets an operator dispose of oil and gas waste, mostly produced saltwater, by pumping it underground into a formation that does not hold oil or gas. The Railroad Commission of Texas receives the form, reviews it, and decides whether the proposed well will protect usable-quality water. The agency requires it under Statewide Rule 9 (16 TAC §3.9), which is the state rule that runs Texas’s piece of the federal UIC Class II program for oil-field wells.
You must file a W-14 if you plan to drill a new disposal well, convert an existing well into a disposal well, or re-enter a plugged well for disposal, and the target zone is not productive of oil or gas. If the target zone is productive, you file a Form H-1 instead, which covers enhanced recovery and injection into producing reservoirs. The split between these two forms is the single most important early decision, because filing the wrong one wastes the fee and the review time.
The deadline is simple: you cannot inject until the permit issues, so you file before you start disposal. The penalty side is governed by Section 91.143 of the Texas Natural Resources Code, which the certificate on the form quotes by name, and false statements there carry real legal exposure. Operators must also hold an active P-5 Organization Report on file, because the RRC ties every permit to a registered operator number.
Commercial disposal operators face extra duties. A commercial well, meaning one that takes waste from other operators for a fee, triggers wider notice, an ownership map of adjoining tracts, and a clear statement in the published notice. Non-commercial operators who dispose of only their own lease water carry a lighter notice load, which is why Item 42 matters so much.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather everything below before you open the PDF, because the W-14 leans heavily on attachments, and a missing one is the top reason packages get returned. Each item maps to a specific instruction on the back of the form.
- Operator name and P-5 number. Your active P-5 Organization Report number proves your standing; without an active P-5 the RRC cannot issue any permit.
- Well location data. County, RRC district, lease name, lease ID, and a legal description from survey lines; a wrong location voids the water-protection review.
- A complete electrical log. For a new permit, attach the well’s log or a nearby well’s log, because the GAU cannot confirm water zones without it.
- A Groundwater Advisory Unit (GAU) letter. This letter states the well will not endanger usable-quality water; the permit cannot issue without it.
- A ½-mile-radius well map. Show every public-record well and its RRC-designated operator within a half mile, or the notice list will be wrong.
- A ¼-mile penetrating-wells table. List wells that pierce the disposal interval within a quarter mile, with status and plug dates, to prove no fluid path to fresh water.
- Casing and cement records. Sizes, setting depths, cement class, and sacks for surface, intermediate, and long-string casing, drawn from your completion records.
- Affected-persons notice list and publication affidavit. Names, addresses, mailing dates, and a publisher’s affidavit, because the 15-day clock starts only when notice is complete.
Pull your casing and cementing data from the well’s completion file (Form W-2 or G-1) so the depths on the W-14 match RRC records. Confirm the depth to the base of the deepest freshwater zone with the GAU, since that single number drives much of the review. Set aside your checkbook too, because the filing fee must travel with the original application.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
You download Form W-14 straight from the RRC. The official fillable PDF lives on the agency’s site as the Form W-14 (07/2016), and the matching Form W-14 instructions sit beside it. You can also reach both from the Oil & Gas Forms index, where W-14 is listed under injection and disposal applications. Note that the form is two-sided, and the instructions print on the reverse, so keep both pages together.
To open and fill the PDF, you need Adobe Reader 6.0 or higher, as the RRC explains on its Fill-In Forms instructions page. You can type directly into the fields on screen, then print the finished page for signature, because the certificate needs a wet or valid electronic signature. Do not fill the form in a browser preview window, since browser PDF viewers often fail to save your entries and you lose your work.
The 07/2016 revision date printed in the lower-left corner tells you the form is current. Always confirm that date before filing, because the RRC updates forms and an outdated W-14 may reference superseded fees or the old TCEQ water-letter process. If you grabbed a copy months ago, re-download a fresh one so your fee amounts and the GAU reference match the present rule.
Background detail on the whole process sits in the RRC’s Underground Injection Control Manual, which the instructions point to by name. The Injection-Storage Permits hub collects rules, fees, and contact details in one place. Reading the manual once saves hours later, because it explains how Rule 9 standards apply to Class II wells.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form W-14 Line by Line
Work through the form in order. Every item below uses the exact label and number printed on the 07/2016 form. Type your answers, use all caps for names where the form is cramped, and keep your attachments numbered to match the instructions on the back.
Item 1: Operator Name
This field asks for the legal name of the company or person that will own and run the disposal well. Write the operator name exactly as it appears on your active P-5 Organization Report, with no abbreviations the RRC would not recognize. For example, PERMIAN BASIN DISPOSAL LLC writes its full registered name, not “Permian Disposal.”
If your company recently changed names, use the name tied to your current P-5, even if your field paperwork still shows the old one. A common mistake is entering a trade name or “doing business as” label instead of the registered entity, which causes the RRC to reject the link to your operator number. Some filers think any version of their company name will do, but the agency cross-checks this field against P-5 records and a mismatch stalls the permit.
Item 2: Operator P-5 No.
This field asks for your six-digit RRC operator number from your P-5 Organization Report. Enter the number with no spaces or dashes, such as 123456. Keep it active, because the RRC will not issue a permit to a lapsed operator.
If you operate under more than one entity, use the number for the entity that will hold this disposal permit, not a parent or affiliate. A frequent error is transposing two digits, which routes your filing to the wrong operator file and delays review. People often assume the P-5 number and a lease number are interchangeable, but they are separate, and only the operator number belongs in Item 2.
Item 3: Operator Address
This field asks for the operator’s mailing address where the RRC can send permit correspondence. Write the full street or P.O. Box, city, state, and ZIP, such as 500 Main St, Suite 200, Midland, TX 79701. Use the address that matches your P-5 so mail does not bounce.
A P.O. Box is fine here, since this is a mailing address, not a well location. The common mistake is listing the field office or pumper’s address instead of the company’s address of record, which sends permit notices to someone who cannot act on them. Filers sometimes believe this address sets where notice to neighbors is sent, but neighbor notice is handled separately in the attachments, not from Item 3.
Item 4: County
This field asks for the Texas county where the disposal well sits. Write the full county name, such as ECTOR. The county drives which RRC district office gets your copy.
If the lease straddles two counties, list the county where the wellbore is physically located. A common error is naming the county of your company office rather than the well, which misroutes the district copy. Some operators think the county is just a formality, but it determines the correct district number in Item 5 and the right newspaper for your published notice.
Item 5: RRC District No.
This field asks for the Railroad Commission district that covers the well’s county. Enter the district number, such as 08 for much of the Permian Basin. You can confirm the district on the RRC’s district map.
For counties split between districts, match the district to the exact well location, not the lease center. A mistake here sends both the original and the copy to the wrong office, which slows the parallel district review. Filers sometimes assume the district is optional because the county is listed, but the RRC uses Item 5 to route the file, so leave it blank at your peril.
Item 6 and 7: Field Name and Field Number
These fields ask for the RRC-designated field name and number tied to the location. For an existing well, use the current field name and number in Commission records, such as SPRABERRY (TREND AREA) and its assigned number. For a new well, provide the nearest producing field name and number instead.
Pull the field name and number from RRC online records, not from memory, because field names change over time. A common mistake is inventing a generic name like “local field,” which the RRC cannot match to any record. Operators often think the field must be the disposal zone, but Items 6 and 7 describe the oil and gas field context, while the disposal formation goes later in Item 34.
Item 8 and 9: Lease Name and Lease/Gas ID No.
These fields ask for the lease name and its RRC lease or gas identification number. Write the lease name as it appears in RRC records, such as SMITH “A”, and the matching lease ID, such as 45678. These tie the well to a known lease file.
For a brand-new disposal location not yet on a lease, use the lease you are associating the well with and confirm the ID online. A frequent error is leaving Item 9 blank because the filer only knows the lease name, which forces the RRC to hunt for the record. People sometimes confuse the gas ID with the API number, but the API goes in Item 17, while Item 9 is the lease-level identifier.
Items 10 through 13: Location Description
These fields ask exactly where the well sits. Item 10 asks how many miles and in what direction the well lies from the center of the nearest town, Item 11 asks the number of acres in the lease, Item 12 asks for a legal description with distance and direction from survey lines, and Item 13 asks for optional latitude and longitude. Write something like 3.5 miles in a NW direction from Andrews in Item 10, 160 in Item 11, and a survey call such as 1,200 ft FSL and 800 ft FWL of Section 14, Block A-49 in Item 12.
Latitude and longitude in Item 13 are optional, but adding them helps the reviewer place the well fast, so include them if you have a GPS reading. A common mistake is a vague survey description that does not reference actual survey lines, which makes the location unverifiable and triggers a request for more information. Filers sometimes skip Item 12 thinking the latitude covers it, but the RRC requires the survey-line call regardless of any coordinates.
Item 14: New Permit (Yes/No) and Amendment Permit No.
This field asks whether you seek a brand-new permit or an amendment to an existing one. Check Yes for a new permit; check No and write the existing permit number and UIC number if you are amending. For an amendment, an entry looks like No — Permit No. 12345, UIC# TX12345678.
This single box changes which attachments you must send, so read the back-of-form notes for amendments closely. The most common mistake is checking “new” out of habit when amending an active permit, which makes you re-send attachments you did not need and pay for a review you did not require. Many operators believe an amendment is a fresh application, but the instructions waive several attachments for amendments unless the change is to disposal interval or commercial status.
Item 15: Reason for Amendment
This field asks why you are amending, and applies only when Item 14 is “No.” Check the boxes that fit: Pressure, Volume, Interval, Commercial, or Other, and explain if “Other.” For example, an operator raising injection volume checks Volume and may add increasing from 5,000 to 10,000 bpd on the “Other” line for context.
If more than one reason applies, check every box that fits, because each reason can trigger different notice duties. A common error is checking Interval without realizing it revives the full ¼-mile table and re-publication requirement, then leaving those attachments out. Filers sometimes think any amendment is minor, but an interval or commercial change is treated almost like a new application for notice purposes.
Items 16 through 20: Well Identification Row
These fields ask for the well’s basics: Item 16 the Well No., Item 17 the API No., Item 18 the Date Drilled, Item 19 the Total Depth, and Item 20 the Plug Date if this is a re-entry. Write entries like Well No. 1, API 42-135-12345, Date Drilled 06/15/2018, Total Depth 8,200 ft, and a plug date only if you are re-entering a plugged well. Use the API number exactly as assigned by the RRC.
For a never-drilled new well, leave Item 18 and the depth blank or mark them proposed, and skip Item 20 entirely. A common mistake is entering a lease or completion date in Item 18 rather than the actual spud-to-completion drilling date, which conflicts with RRC well records. Operators often think the API number is optional for an existing well, but it is the key identifier the agency uses to pull the well’s full file.
Items 21 through 25: Casing and Cement Table
These fields ask for the casing program: a row each for Item 21 Surface, Item 22 Intermediate, Item 23 Long String, Item 24 Liner, and Item 25 Other, with columns for size, setting depths, hole size, weight, cement class, cement sacks, top of cement, and how the top was determined. Fill each row from your completion records, for example surface casing of 9-5/8 in. set at 1,500 ft, 36 ppf, Class A cement, 450 sacks, top at surface, determined by circulation. Leave rows blank only when that string truly does not exist.
This table is the heart of the mechanical-integrity review, so accuracy here protects fresh water and your permit. The most common mistake is leaving “Top of cement” or “Top Determined by” blank, which makes the RRC unable to confirm the well is sealed and forces a request for a cement bond log. Filers sometimes round depths or guess sack counts, but the agency cross-checks these against your filed completion records, and mismatches raise red flags.
Item 26 and 27: Freshwater Depth and Multiple Completion
Item 26 asks for the depth to the base of the deepest freshwater zone, and Item 27 asks whether the well is a multiple completion. Write the freshwater base depth confirmed by the GAU, such as 650 ft, and check Yes or No for multiple completion. The freshwater number must match the GAU letter you attach.
If the GAU gives a range, use the base of the deepest usable-quality zone they cite. A common mistake is guessing the freshwater depth instead of using the GAU figure, which creates a conflict between the form and its own attachment. Operators sometimes think Item 26 is a formality, but it directly proves that injection sits well below protected water, which is the whole point of Rule 9.
Items 28 through 31: Cement and Completion Details
These fields ask about cementing and completion hardware: Item 28 multistage cement (with DV tool depth, sacks, and top if yes), Item 29 bridge plug depth, Item 30 injection tubing size and depth, and Item 31 packer depth. Enter values like Item 30: 2-3/8 in. tubing to 8,000 ft and Item 31: packer at 7,950 ft. These describe the downhole setup that isolates the injection zone.
Set the packer just above the injection interval so the tubing-casing annulus stays protected, and record that depth honestly. A common error is leaving the packer depth blank, which signals the well may inject down the casing rather than tubing, prompting a mechanical-integrity question. Filers sometimes believe a packer is optional, but for most disposal wells the packer and tubing setup is central to passing the integrity review.
Items 32 and 33: Squeeze Operations and Injection Interval
Item 32 asks you to list all cement squeeze operations with interval, sacks, cement top, and whether proposed or complete; Item 33 asks for the injection interval from and to depths. Write squeezes like squeeze 7,500–7,600 ft, 100 sacks, top 7,480 ft, complete, and an interval such as Item 33: from 7,800 to 8,000 ft. The injection interval is the exact zone you will pump fluid into.
Make the interval depths consistent with the disposal formation named next in Item 34. A common mistake is listing an interval that overlaps a freshwater or productive zone, which guarantees denial because it endangers usable water or hydrocarbons. Operators sometimes leave Item 32 blank when no squeeze was done, which is fine, but skipping it when a squeeze was performed hides key integrity data.
Item 34 and 35: Disposal Formation and Nearby Productive Zones
Item 34 asks for the name of the disposal formation, and Item 35 asks whether any oil and gas productive zone lies within two miles, with depth and reservoir name if yes. Write the formation name, such as ELLENBURGER, and check Yes or No on the two-mile question, adding details like depth 6,500 ft, San Andres if applicable. This shows the disposal zone is truly non-productive.
If a productive zone exists within two miles, full disclosure helps the RRC confirm your injection will not migrate into it. A common mistake is checking No without actually researching nearby completions, which the agency can catch using its own records and which undermines your credibility. Filers sometimes confuse the disposal formation with the field name from Item 6, but Item 34 is the specific non-productive stratum receiving the waste.
Items 36 through 39: Volume and Pressure Limits
These fields ask for the requested injection limits: Item 36 maximum daily injection volume in bpd, Item 37 estimated average daily volume in bpd, Item 38 maximum surface injection pressure in psig, and Item 39 estimated average surface pressure in psig. Enter values such as Item 36: 10,000 bpd, Item 37: 6,000 bpd, Item 38: 1,200 psig, and Item 39: 800 psig. The maximums become your permitted ceilings.
Request a maximum pressure that stays below the formation fracture pressure, because the RRC will not authorize injection that could fracture the confining layer. A common mistake is requesting an unrealistically high pressure “for cushion,” which draws extra scrutiny or a step-rate test requirement. Operators often think they can exceed these numbers later without action, but injecting above the permitted maximum is a violation that can bring penalties and a permit review.
Items 40 and 41: Source of Fluids and Off-Lease Fluids
Item 40 asks for the source of the fluids by formation, depth, and type, and Item 41 asks whether fluids come from leases other than the one in Item 8. Write a source like produced salt water from San Andres, 4,500 ft and check Yes or No on off-lease fluids. This tells the RRC what you are injecting and where it originates.
If you check Yes on Item 41, expect the file to be treated more like a commercial operation for notice review. A common mistake is checking No while actually hauling in another operator’s water, which can later be treated as operating an unpermitted commercial well. Filers sometimes think the fluid source is unimportant, but it shapes both the compatibility review and your commercial status under Item 42.
Items 42 and 43: Commercial Disposal Well
Item 42 asks whether this is a commercial disposal well, meaning it accepts waste from others for a fee, and Item 43 asks whether a commercial well will take non-produced-water waste. Check Yes or No on each, for example Item 42: Yes and Item 43: No for a saltwater-only commercial well. These boxes unlock the heavier commercial notice and mapping rules.
If you check Yes on Item 42, you must also show tract ownership on your map and notify adjoining surface owners, plus state the commercial fact in your published notice. The most damaging mistake here is under-declaring commercial status to dodge notice, which can void the permit and expose you to enforcement. Operators sometimes think occasional off-lease water keeps them non-commercial, but if you take third-party waste for a fee, you are commercial under Rule 9.
Item 44: Type(s) of Injection Fluid
This field asks you to check every fluid type you will inject. Options include Salt Water, Brackish Water, Fresh Water, CO2, N2, Air, H2S, LPG, NORM, Natural Gas, Polymer, and Other (explain). Check all that apply, such as Salt Water for a typical produced-water disposal well, and explain anything unusual on the “Other” line.
If you ever expect to inject more than one fluid type, check each now rather than amending later. A common mistake is checking only Salt Water when the stream also carries NORM (naturally occurring radioactive material), which omits a category the RRC must evaluate. Filers sometimes assume produced water is just salt water, but if it contains other listed constituents, failing to check those boxes understates what you are actually injecting.
Certificate: Signature, Name, and Phone
The certificate asks the authorized person to sign and date the form, print their name, and give a phone and fax. Sign in ink or with a valid electronic signature, print the name like JOHN REYES, date it MM/DD/YYYY, and add a reachable phone number. The certificate cites penalties under Section 91.143 of the Texas Natural Resources Code for false statements.
Only someone authorized to bind the operator should sign, such as an officer or an agent with written authority. The most serious mistake is signing without verifying the data, because the certificate makes you swear the facts are true under penalty of law, and false data can bring criminal exposure. Filers sometimes treat the signature as a formality, but it is a sworn statement, so the signer should personally confirm every entry first.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
The three fact patterns below show how different operators complete the same form. Each table walks one named filer through the key items.
Scenario 1: New non-commercial saltwater disposal well — Permian Basin Disposal LLC, operated by John Reyes
| Form Section | What John Enters |
|---|---|
| Item 1 Operator Name | PERMIAN BASIN DISPOSAL LLC |
| Item 2 Operator P-5 No. | 123456 |
| Item 4 County / Item 5 District | ECTOR / 08 |
| Item 14 New Permit | Yes |
| Items 33 Injection Interval | 7,800 to 8,000 ft |
| Item 34 Disposal Formation | ELLENBURGER |
| Item 36 Max Daily Volume | 10,000 bpd |
| Item 42 Commercial? | No |
| Item 44 Fluid Type | Salt Water |
| Certificate | Signed JOHN REYES, dated 03/14/2026 |
Scenario 2: Amendment to raise volume on an existing permit — West Texas Energy Inc., handled by Maria Lopez
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Item 1 Operator Name | WEST TEXAS ENERGY INC |
| Item 2 Operator P-5 No. | 234567 |
| Item 14 New Permit | No — Permit No. 12345, UIC# TX12345678 |
| Item 15 Reason for Amendment | Volume (note: 5,000 to 10,000 bpd) |
| Item 33 Injection Interval | unchanged, 6,500 to 6,700 ft |
| Item 36 Max Daily Volume | 10,000 bpd |
| Item 38 Max Surface Pressure | 1,000 psig |
| Item 42 Commercial? | No |
| Item 44 Fluid Type | Salt Water |
| Certificate | Signed MARIA LOPEZ, dated 04/02/2026 |
Scenario 3: New commercial disposal well — Lone Star SWD Services, filed by Marcus Bell
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| Item 1 Operator Name | LONE STAR SWD SERVICES LLC |
| Item 2 Operator P-5 No. | 345678 |
| Item 4 County / Item 5 District | REEVES / 08 |
| Item 14 New Permit | Yes |
| Item 41 Off-Lease Fluids? | Yes |
| Item 42 Commercial? | Yes |
| Item 43 Non-produced-water waste? | No |
| Item 36 Max Daily Volume | 25,000 bpd |
| Item 44 Fluid Type | Salt Water, Brackish Water |
| Certificate | Signed MARCUS BELL, dated 05/10/2026 |
Marcus carries the heaviest load of the three, because his commercial status forces him to map tract ownership, notify adjoining surface owners, and state the commercial fact in his published notice. Maria’s amendment is lightest, since a volume-only change skips the county-clerk and publication steps. John’s new non-commercial well sits in between, needing full attachments but lighter notice than a commercial filing.
How to File the Completed Form
You file Form W-14 mainly by mail, and the address comes straight from the instructions. Send the original application with all attachments to Technical Permitting, Railroad Commission of Texas, P.O. Box 12967, Austin, Texas 78711-2967, and file one copy of the application and all attachments with the appropriate district office, as the Form W-14 instructions direct. Keep a full third copy for your own files.
With the original, you must remit a $250 fee, made up of a non-refundable $100 fee and a $150 surcharge required by Statewide Rule 78(n), payable to the Railroad Commission of Texas. For each Special Equipment request under Statewide Rule 9(9), add $375 more, which is a $150 fee plus a $225 surcharge, as the instructions spell out. Pay by check or money order made out to the Railroad Commission of Texas, and never send cash through the mail.
Before the GAU letter step, you also submit two copies of the Form W-14, a plat with surveys marked, and a representative electrical log to the Groundwater Advisory Unit, P.O. Box 12967, Austin, Texas 78711-2967, to obtain the required water-protection letter. Plan for this to take time, because you cannot complete the main filing until the GAU letter is in hand. The RRC also offers online injection-storage tools on its Injection-Storage Resources page, so check whether electronic submission is available for your filing.
Expected processing is fast once notice is complete: the permit may issue administratively in a minimum of 15 days after the application, published notice, or affected-person notification, whichever is later, if no protest arrives. For proof of filing, keep your stamped copies, the certified-mail green cards or tracking for your notices, the publisher’s affidavit, and a copy of your fee check. These records prove when your 15-day clock started and protect you if a notice question arises.
What Happens After You File
After the RRC receives your W-14, Technical Permitting reviews the application, the GAU letter, and your attachments for completeness and mechanical integrity. If the package is complete and no affected person or local government protests within the notice window, the permit can issue administratively in as little as 15 days after notice is complete, as the instructions explain. You will receive a permit with a UIC number and your authorized volume and pressure limits.
If someone protests, the path changes. Any affected person or local government may file a written protest that states their name, address, phone, and how they would be adversely affected. If the Commission finds a valid protest or decides a hearing serves the public interest, a hearing is held upon the applicant’s written request, and your administrative timeline pauses while that plays out.
The RRC can also administratively deny an application that does not meet Rule 9 standards, which then opens a hearing track as well. Once your well is permitted and built, you must demonstrate mechanical integrity before injecting and keep your injection within the permitted maximums. Routine monitoring and reporting follow, because the disposal permit comes with ongoing duties, not just a one-time filing.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
Each mistake below has stalled real W-14 filings, and each carries a direct cost in time or money.
- Filing a W-14 when the zone is productive: the RRC returns it because you needed a Form H-1 instead.
- Leaving the GAU letter out: the permit cannot issue, so the file sits until you supply it.
- Using an inactive P-5 number: the agency cannot tie the permit to a valid operator and rejects the link.
- Skipping the ½-mile well map: your notice list is unverifiable, and the application is incomplete.
- Omitting the ¼-mile penetrating-wells table on a new permit: the RRC cannot confirm no fluid path to fresh water.
- Checking “new” when you are amending: you re-send needless attachments and pay for an unneeded review.
- Under-declaring commercial status in Item 42: the permit can be voided and you face enforcement.
- Leaving casing “top of cement” blank in Items 21–25: the RRC requests a cement bond log and delays you.
- Guessing the freshwater depth in Item 26: it conflicts with the GAU letter and triggers a review hold.
- Forgetting the publication affidavit: the 15-day clock never starts because notice is incomplete.
- Sending the wrong fee amount: the application is not deemed filed until the correct $250 (plus any $375) arrives.
- Mailing only to Austin and skipping the district copy: the instructions require a copy to the district office too.
Do’s and Don’ts
- Do re-download the 07/2016 form before filing, because outdated copies reference superseded fees or processes.
- Do match every entry to your P-5 and completion records, since the RRC cross-checks them and mismatches stall review.
- Do obtain the GAU letter early, because the permit cannot issue without it and it takes time.
- Do keep certified-mail receipts and the publisher’s affidavit, since they prove when your 15-day clock started.
- Do check every applicable fluid type in Item 44, because adding one later means a fresh amendment.
- Do request realistic pressure and volume limits, since inflated numbers draw extra scrutiny.
- Don’t sign the certificate without verifying the data, because it is a sworn statement under Section 91.143.
- Don’t under-declare commercial status, since that can void the permit and bring enforcement.
- Don’t leave casing or cement-top fields blank, because the RRC will demand a cement bond log.
- Don’t guess the freshwater depth, since it must match the GAU letter exactly.
- Don’t file before notice is complete, because the 15-day timeline only starts when notice is done.
- Don’t forget the district-office copy, since the instructions require both the Austin original and a district copy.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Many operators file the W-14 in-house, while others hire a regulatory consultant. The table weighs both paths.
| Filing on Your Own | Filing With a Consultant |
|---|---|
| Saves consultant fees, which helps on a tight budget | Costs more, but the fee often beats weeks of delay |
| Builds in-house knowledge for future filings | Brings experience that catches attachment gaps early |
| Full control over timing and content | Hands off the time-consuming notice and mapping work |
| Risk of missing an attachment and getting returned | Lower rejection risk because they file W-14s often |
| Steep learning curve on the GAU and notice steps | You rely on their schedule, not your own |
A first-time operator with a simple non-commercial well, like John Reyes, can often file alone with care. A complex commercial filing, like Marcus Bell’s, usually justifies professional help because of the extra notice and ownership-mapping rules. Either way, the operator’s authorized signer still owns the sworn certificate, so review everything before it goes out.
FAQs
Do I file Form W-14 or Form H-1 for my disposal well?
No single answer fits all — use W-14 only when the disposal zone is not productive of oil or gas; if the zone is productive, file Form H-1 instead.
Is a Groundwater Advisory Unit letter required for a W-14?
Yes. A GAU letter stating the well will not endanger usable-quality water must be attached, and the permit cannot issue without it.
Do I need to send a copy to my RRC district office?
Yes. You file the original with Technical Permitting in Austin and one copy with the appropriate district office, per the instructions.
Is the filing fee really $250?
Yes. The base fee is $250 ($100 fee plus a $150 surcharge under Rule 78(n)), with an extra $375 for each Special Equipment request under Rule 9(9).
Do I check “Yes” in Item 14 for an amendment?
No. Check “No” in Item 14 for an amendment, then write the existing permit number and UIC number; “Yes” is only for a new permit.
Do I have to fill the ¼-mile penetrating-wells table for an amendment?
No, not always — for an amendment it is required only if the original permit issued before April 1, 1982, or if you are amending to a shallower depth.
Is latitude and longitude in Item 13 mandatory?
No. Item 13 is optional, but adding coordinates helps the reviewer locate the well faster, so include them when you have a GPS reading.
Do I write the freshwater depth in Item 26 myself?
No, not from a guess — use the base-of-freshwater depth confirmed by the GAU so the form matches its own attached letter.
Is a commercial well subject to extra notice rules?
Yes. A commercial well must map tract ownership, notify adjoining surface owners, and state the commercial fact in the published notice.
Do I need to publish notice in a newspaper?
Yes. You attach a publisher’s affidavit and a clipping showing the notice ran in a newspaper of general circulation in the well’s county.
Is my permit issued automatically after 15 days?
No, not automatically — it may issue administratively in a minimum of 15 days after notice is complete, but only if no valid protest is received.
Do I list off-lease fluids in Item 41 even for a small amount?
Yes. If any fluids come from leases other than the Item 8 lease, check “Yes,” because off-lease water affects how the RRC reviews commercial status.
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-1A (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Texas Railroad Commission Form H-5 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Texas Railroad Commission Form W-10 (w/Examples) + FAQs
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