Texas Railroad Commission Form W-15 is the Cementing Report that operators and their cementing service companies must file any time cement is pumped in a wellbore or a Cast Iron Bridge Plug (CIBP) is set, and it must be on file with the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC). The form proves that a well’s casing strings were cemented in a way that protects underground drinking water and isolates oil, gas, and saltwater zones, exactly as Statewide Rule 13 demands.
Getting this report wrong is not a paperwork problem; it can stall a well completion, void a drilling permit, and trigger a Statewide Rule violation. The RRC processes tens of thousands of these reports a year, and since 2019 the agency has pushed nearly all of them through its RRC Online System under the Texas Oilfield Relief Initiative. The form carries a revision date of 08-04-2014, so confirm you are working from that version before you start.
Here is what you will walk away knowing:
- 🛢️ Exactly what each box on Form W-15 asks and how to answer it the way the RRC expects
- 📋 The documents and numbers you must gather before you open the form
- 🧮 How to calculate top of cement, sacks pumped, and slurry volume without tripping a review
- 🖥️ How to file online, by mail, and through the CIBP wireline path, step by step
- ⚠️ The field-level mistakes that cause rejections and how to dodge each one
What Form W-15 Is and Who Must File It
Form W-15 is the official record of every cementing job performed on a well regulated by the RRC’s Oil and Gas Division. It documents the casing or liner that was cemented, the cement and additives pumped, the volume and weight of the slurry, and the calculated or measured top of cement. The report ties directly to Statewide Rule 13, the casing, cementing, drilling, well control, and completion rule that protects fresh water and prevents cross-zone migration.
The duty to file falls on the well operator, but the cementing service company usually fills in the technical job data because it owns the pumping records. In practice the cementer certifies the cement and slurry figures, and the operator certifies the filing as a whole. Both signatures matter, because the RRC treats the form as a sworn record under Statewide Rule 21.
You must file a W-15 any time cement is pumped in a wellbore, including surface casing, intermediate casing, production casing, liners, and squeeze jobs. You also file it to report setting a Cast Iron Bridge Plug, even though no cement is involved in a bare CIBP. Skipping a CIBP report is one of the most common compliance gaps the RRC sees, because crews assume the rule only covers cement. Missing the filing can hold up the related completion or plugging paperwork that depends on it.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Open the form only after you have every number in front of you, because the W-15 cross-references several other RRC filings and a single missing figure can force you to refile. Gathering these items first also keeps your 30-day clock from running out while you hunt for data.
- API well number — the unique 14-digit identifier; the RRC rejects any report that cannot be matched to a permitted well.
- RRC drilling permit (Form W-1) number — links the cementing job to the approved well; without it the report floats unattached.
- Operator name and P-5 Organization number — the form will not post if your P-5 Organization Report is delinquent.
- Lease name, well number, county, and district — the RRC files by district, so a wrong district routes your report to the wrong office.
- Casing program — size, weight, grade, and setting depth of each string you cemented.
- Cement and slurry data — number of sacks, cement class or type, additives, slurry weight, and yield from the cementer’s job ticket.
- Hole size and calculated annular volume — needed to support your top-of-cement calculation.
- Cementing date and the service company name — the date starts the 30-day filing window.
If any item is missing, the form either bounces at submission or posts with a gap that an RRC reviewer flags later. A missing P-5 number is the single fastest way to get a report kicked back, since the system checks organization status before it accepts the filing.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
Form W-15 lives on the RRC website, and you can reach it two ways. The fillable PDF is posted on the oil and gas forms page, and the electronic version sits inside the RRC Online System under the W-15 filing module. Both produce the same official record, but the online version auto-generates a PDF you can attach to other completion forms.
To file electronically, your organization’s designated Security Administrator must first add the External W15 Filer filing right to your RRC Online System account. Without that right, you can log in but you will not see the W-15 module. The RRC explains how to set up these rights on its online filing page.
The agency publishes two guides worth keeping open while you file: the W-15 User Guide for standard cementing reports and the CIBP User Guide for wireline companies setting bridge plugs. Reading the matching guide before you file saves a refiling, because each path has its own screens and required fields.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form W-15 Line by Line
The W-15 is organized into a header block that identifies the well, a body that captures each casing string and its cement, and a certification block at the bottom. Fill it in the order the form prints, top to bottom, because later fields depend on earlier ones. Below, each field gets its own walkthrough.
1. Operator Name and Address
This field asks for the legal name and mailing address of the company responsible for the well, not the cementing contractor. Enter the operator’s name exactly as it appears on the P-5 Organization Report, in all caps, with the full mailing address including city, state, and ZIP. For example, PERMIAN BASIN RESOURCES LLC, 100 ENERGY PLAZA, MIDLAND, TX 79701 goes on the operator line.
A common edge case is a recent operator name change or a sale of the lease; if the P-5 has not been updated, use the name currently on file, then update the P-5 separately. The most common mistake here is writing the service company’s name instead of the operator’s, which breaks the link to the permit and forces a refile. Filers often believe the cementer is the “operator” for this form, but the RRC always means the party that holds the well in its records.
2. Operator P-5 Number
This field asks for the six-digit RRC Organization number tied to the operator. Enter the number exactly as assigned by the RRC, with no spaces or dashes, such as 123456. The system uses this number to confirm your organization is active and your financial assurance is current.
If your company operates under multiple entities, use the P-5 that holds the specific lease, not a parent or affiliate number. The most common mistake is entering a delinquent or wrong P-5, which causes the online system to reject the report before it ever posts. Some filers think the P-5 is optional for a simple cementing report, but it is the gatekeeper field that the RRC checks first.
3. Lease Name and Well Number
This field asks for the lease name and the specific well number as they appear on the drilling permit. Enter both exactly as permitted, for example SMITH RANCH UNIT, WELL NO. 3H. Matching the permit wording lets the RRC attach the report to the correct well file.
A nuance arises with allocation or pooled wells, where the lease name may differ from the surface tract name; always defer to the permit. The common mistake is paraphrasing the lease name or guessing the well number, which can attach the cementing data to the wrong wellbore. Operators sometimes assume small wording differences do not matter, but the RRC matches text strings and a mismatch creates an unlinked report.
4. API Number
This field asks for the unique American Petroleum Institute well identifier assigned when the drilling permit issued. Enter all 14 digits in the standard Texas format, for example 42-329-35012-00-00, where 42 is Texas, 329 is the county, and the rest identifies the well and completion. The RRC uses this number as the master key for the well.
If your well has a sidetrack or recompletion, the API may carry a different suffix; use the one tied to the wellbore you cemented. The most common mistake is transposing digits or dropping the suffix, which sends the report to the wrong well or no well at all. Many filers think the county name alone is enough, but the API county code, not the spelled-out county, is what the system reads.
5. County and RRC District
This field asks for the county where the well sits and the RRC district that covers it. Enter the county name in full and the district number, such as MIDLAND COUNTY, DISTRICT 08. The district controls which office reviews your report.
A nuance: a few counties span two districts, so confirm the district on the drilling permit rather than guessing. The common mistake is listing the wrong district, which routes the filing to an office that cannot act on it and delays review. Filers often assume district equals county, but RRC districts group several counties and occasionally split one.
6. Type of Casing or Liner Cemented
This field asks which string you cemented: surface, intermediate, production, liner, or a squeeze. Check or enter the correct type, for example SURFACE CASING, and complete a separate line or section for each string if you cemented more than one. Each string is a distinct cementing event with its own data.
The edge case is a single trip that cements two strings; report each on its own line so the RRC sees each top of cement. The common mistake is lumping multiple strings into one entry, which hides whether each zone was isolated and can trigger a Rule 13 review. Some crews believe one W-15 covers the whole well in one block, but the RRC wants string-by-string detail.
7. Casing Size, Weight, Grade, and Setting Depth
This field asks for the physical casing specs and how deep the string was set. Enter the outside diameter, weight per foot, steel grade, and setting depth, for example 8-5/8 IN, 24 LB/FT, J-55, SET AT 1,200 FT. These numbers let the RRC check that your cement volume matches the hole.
A nuance is a tapered string with two casing weights; record the section that governs the cemented interval and note the change. The common mistake is reporting nominal hole size as setting depth or vice versa, which throws off the volume math. Filers sometimes think setting depth and total depth are the same, but the casing shoe depth, not the bottom of the hole, is what belongs here.
8. Number of Sacks and Cement Class
This field asks how many sacks of cement you pumped and what class or type it was. Enter the sack count and the API cement class, for example 350 SACKS, CLASS H CEMENT. This is the heart of the report and comes straight off the cementer’s job ticket.
The edge case is a two-stage or lead-and-tail job; report each stage’s sacks and class separately so the totals reconcile. The common mistake is rounding or estimating sacks instead of using the actual pumped count, which can make the calculated top of cement impossible to verify. Many filers think the planned sack count is acceptable, but the RRC expects the volume that was actually pumped.
9. Additives Used
This field asks for any materials mixed into the cement, such as accelerators, retarders, weighting agents, or lost-circulation material. List each additive and its purpose, for example 2% CALCIUM CHLORIDE (ACCELERATOR). Additives change set time and slurry weight, so the RRC wants them on record.
A nuance is proprietary blended systems; name the additive function even when the brand is trade-secret, such as FRICTION REDUCER. The common mistake is leaving the field blank when additives were used, which makes the slurry weight look inconsistent with plain cement. Some filers assume additives are too minor to list, but they directly affect whether the cement set as reported.
10. Slurry Weight and Yield
This field asks for the density of the cement slurry and its yield. Enter the weight in pounds per gallon and the yield in cubic feet per sack, for example 15.6 LB/GAL, 1.18 CU FT/SACK. These two numbers let the RRC convert sacks into the volume that filled the annulus.
The edge case is a lightweight lead slurry over a heavier tail; report each density and yield separately. The common mistake is copying the cement manufacturer’s textbook yield instead of the field-mixed value, which makes the volume reconciliation fail. Filers often believe slurry weight is a formality, but it is the bridge between sacks pumped and top of cement.
11. Calculated or Measured Top of Cement
This field asks how high the cement rose in the annulus, by calculation or by an actual measurement such as a temperature or cement bond log. Enter the depth and the method, for example TOP OF CEMENT AT 200 FT (CALCULATED) or CIRCULATED TO SURFACE. This single figure tells the RRC whether usable-quality water was protected.
A nuance: surface casing rules often require cement circulated to surface, so if it did not, you may need to explain or remediate. The common mistake is reporting a top of cement that the sacks and yield cannot support, which is the fastest way to draw a Rule 13 inquiry. Many crews think a round-number estimate is fine, but the figure must reconcile with the volume data on the same form.
12. Cementing Date
This field asks the date the cement was pumped. Enter it in MM/DD/YYYY format, for example 03/14/2025. This date starts your 30-day filing clock.
The edge case is a multi-day job across casing strings; use the date each specific string was cemented. The common mistake is entering the report-preparation date instead of the actual pumping date, which can make a timely filing look late. Some filers assume the filing date is what matters, but the RRC measures the 30 days from the cementing event itself.
13. Cementing Service Company
This field asks for the name of the company that performed the cementing. Enter the contractor’s legal name, for example HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC. This identifies who owns the job data behind the report.
A nuance is an operator who self-cements with its own crew; list the operator as the service company in that case. The common mistake is leaving this blank or writing “self,” which leaves the technical data unattributed. Filers sometimes think this field duplicates the operator field, but the RRC tracks the cementer separately for accountability.
14. Cementer Certification
This field asks the cementing company representative to certify that the cement and slurry data are true and correct. Sign and print the representative’s name and title, for example JOHN REYES, FIELD SUPERVISOR, and date it. This sworn statement makes the job data legally reliable.
The edge case is online filing, where the certification is an electronic acknowledgment tied to the logged-in account rather than a wet signature. The common mistake is submitting cement data with no cementer certification, which leaves the most technical numbers unverified and can void the report. Some assume the operator signature covers everything, but the cementer must separately stand behind the slurry figures.
15. Operator Certification and Signature
This field asks the operator to certify the entire report under penalty of the RRC’s rules. Sign, print the name and title, and date it, for example LINDA CHEN, REGULATORY MANAGER, 04/01/2025. This is the sworn certification required by Statewide Rule 21.
A nuance: an authorized agent or consultant may sign if the operator has granted that authority, but the operator remains responsible. The common mistake is filing without the operator certification, which renders the report incomplete and unfiled in the RRC’s eyes. Filers often believe an unsigned report still counts as “submitted,” but an uncertified W-15 is treated as not filed at all.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
These three scenarios show how different jobs map onto the same form. Each follows one filer through the key sections.
Scenario 1 — Routine surface casing, new vertical oil well. Maria Lopez, regulatory clerk for Permian Basin Resources LLC, files for a single surface string in Midland County.
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Operator Name and P-5 | PERMIAN BASIN RESOURCES LLC, P-5 123456 |
| Lease and Well Number | SMITH RANCH UNIT, WELL NO. 1 |
| API Number | 42-329-35012-00-00 |
| County and District | MIDLAND COUNTY, DISTRICT 08 |
| Type of String | SURFACE CASING |
| Casing and Setting Depth | 8-5/8 IN, 24 LB/FT, J-55, SET AT 1,200 FT |
| Sacks and Class | 350 SACKS, CLASS H |
| Top of Cement | CIRCULATED TO SURFACE |
Scenario 2 — Multi-string horizontal well. Marcus Bell, compliance lead for Lone Star Operating Co., reports surface and production strings on a horizontal well in Karnes County.
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| Operator Name and P-5 | LONE STAR OPERATING CO, P-5 654321 |
| Lease and Well Number | EAGLE FORD UNIT B, WELL NO. 4H |
| API Number | 42-255-40221-00-00 |
| County and District | KARNES COUNTY, DISTRICT 01 |
| Type of String (line 1) | SURFACE CASING, 9-5/8 IN, SET AT 1,500 FT, 420 SACKS |
| Type of String (line 2) | PRODUCTION CASING, 5-1/2 IN, SET AT 18,400 FT, 1,250 SACKS |
| Slurry Data | LEAD 12.5 LB/GAL, TAIL 15.8 LB/GAL |
| Top of Cement (production) | TOP OF CEMENT AT 7,200 FT (CALCULATED) |
Scenario 3 — Cast Iron Bridge Plug set by a wireline company. Aisha Carter, a wireline service representative, files the CIBP path with no cement pumped.
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| Operator Name and P-5 | GULF COAST PETROLEUM INC, P-5 778899 |
| Lease and Well Number | COASTAL LEASE, WELL NO. 7 |
| API Number | 42-039-31188-00-00 |
| County and District | BRAZORIA COUNTY, DISTRICT 03 |
| Filing Type | CAST IRON BRIDGE PLUG (CIBP) |
| CIBP Set Depth | SET AT 5,600 FT |
| Date Set | 02/18/2025 |
| Service Company / Certification | WIRELINE SERVICES LP, signed by Aisha Carter |
How to File the Completed Form W-15
The RRC accepts the W-15 through three channels, and online is the strongly preferred path. Choose the one that fits how your organization is set up, but keep proof of filing no matter which you use.
Online (RRC Online System). File at the RRC Online System login once your Security Administrator has granted the External W15 Filer right. There is no filing fee, the system generates a PDF copy on submission, and processing is typically immediate. Save and print that PDF as your proof of filing and attach it to related completion forms.
By mail (hard copy). Mail the signed paper form to the RRC district office that serves the county where the well is located; the agency still accepts paper filings. There is no filing fee, and processing takes longer than online. Keep a copy and your certified-mail receipt as proof, and find office addresses on the RRC locations page.
CIBP wireline path. Wireline companies setting a Cast Iron Bridge Plug file through the dedicated CIBP module described in the CIBP User Guide. There is no fee, the system records the plug electronically, and you keep the generated PDF as proof. For questions on any channel, contact the Field Operations department at OG_FOPS@rrc.texas.gov or 512-463-6838.
What Happens After You File
Once the W-15 posts, the RRC links it to the well’s permit and uses it to verify that cementing met Statewide Rule 13. The online PDF becomes the attachment you staple to your completion or plugging filings, such as the Form W-2, G-1, W-3A, W-3, or W-4. Without a filed W-15, those dependent forms can stall.
An RRC reviewer or district inspector may compare your sacks, slurry weight, yield, and top of cement to confirm the numbers reconcile. If the figures do not support the reported top of cement, the district office can request more information or a remedial squeeze. A clean, internally consistent W-15 usually passes without a second look, while a math mismatch invites scrutiny.
If everything checks out, the report simply sits in the well file as the permanent cementing record. It stays available for future operators, plugging contractors, and any party doing well diligence. That long life is exactly why accuracy on the original filing matters.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out Form W-15
Each error below has a direct consequence, and most cause a refile or a compliance flag.
- Entering the service company as the operator — breaks the link to the permit and the report posts unattached.
- Using a delinquent or wrong P-5 number — the online system rejects the filing before it posts.
- Transposing API digits — sends the report to the wrong well or no well at all.
- Listing the wrong RRC district — routes the filing to an office that cannot act on it.
- Lumping multiple casing strings into one entry — hides whether each zone was isolated and triggers a Rule 13 review.
- Reporting planned sacks instead of actual sacks — makes the top-of-cement calculation impossible to verify.
- Leaving additives blank — makes slurry weight look inconsistent with plain cement.
- Copying textbook yield instead of field yield — the volume reconciliation fails.
- Reporting a top of cement the volume cannot support — draws a direct Statewide Rule 13 inquiry.
- Entering the report date instead of the cementing date — can make a timely filing appear late.
- Forgetting the CIBP report — leaves a set bridge plug unrecorded and the dependent filing incomplete.
- Filing without both certifications — an uncertified W-15 is treated as not filed at all.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do:
- Do pull the API number and P-5 from the official permit, because the system matches them exactly.
- Do report each casing string on its own line, since each is a separate cementing event.
- Do use the cementer’s actual job ticket numbers, because estimates will not reconcile.
- Do file within 30 days of the cementing date to stay inside the Rule 13 window.
- Do save the generated PDF, because you must attach it to completion forms.
- Do read the matching User Guide first, since online and CIBP paths differ.
Don’t:
- Don’t guess at lease names or well numbers, because text mismatches create unlinked reports.
- Don’t round sack counts, since the volume math depends on the real figure.
- Don’t skip the additives field when additives were used, because it breaks slurry consistency.
- Don’t sign for the operator without authority, because the operator stays responsible.
- Don’t assume a CIBP needs no report, since the RRC requires one.
- Don’t treat an unsigned report as filed, because the RRC does not.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
| Filing Yourself (Online) | Using a Consultant or Service Filer |
|---|---|
| Pro: No filing fee and no third-party cost. | Pro: Expert handles the math and the RRC system quirks. |
| Pro: Instant submission and an instant PDF copy. | Pro: Fewer rejections on complex multi-string jobs. |
| Pro: You control the timing inside the 30-day window. | Pro: Saves staff time when you file in volume. |
| Pro: You learn the system for future wells. | Pro: Helpful when your P-5 or permit status is unclear. |
| Con: You must set up the External W15 Filer right first. | Con: Adds cost per filing. |
| Con: Easy to misenter API, P-5, or slurry data. | Con: You still bear responsibility as operator. |
| Con: Reconciling top of cement can be tricky alone. | Con: Less direct knowledge of your own records. |
Form W-15 vs. Related RRC Forms
| Form W-15 (Cementing Report) | Related RRC Forms |
|---|---|
| Records cementing and CIBP details for one wellbore. | Form W-1 is the drilling permit the W-15 attaches to. |
| Required any time cement is pumped or a CIBP is set. | Form W-2 and G-1 are completion reports the W-15 supports. |
| Certified by both cementer and operator. | Form W-3 and W-3A cover plugging, which also need a W-15. |
| Governed by Statewide Rule 13. | Form W-4 covers multiple completions. |
FAQs
Do I file Form W-15 if I only set a Cast Iron Bridge Plug and pumped no cement?
Yes. The RRC requires a W-15 any time a CIBP is set, even with no cement, filed through the dedicated CIBP path for wireline companies.
Is there a filing fee for Form W-15?
No. The RRC charges no fee to file the Cementing Report, whether you submit it online, by mail, or through the CIBP wireline module.
Do I have a deadline to file Form W-15?
Yes. You must file within 30 days of the cementing operation, and the clock runs from the actual cementing date, not the date you prepare the report.
Can I still file Form W-15 on paper?
Yes. The RRC continues to accept hard-copy filings mailed to the district office, though it strongly encourages online filing to save time and resources.
Do I write the operator name or the cementing company in the operator field?
No. The operator field is never the cementer; enter the well operator exactly as it appears on the P-5, and list the cementer in its own field.
Do I report each casing string separately on the form?
Yes. Each string is a distinct cementing event, so surface, intermediate, production, and liner strings each get their own line with their own data.
Do I enter the spelled-out county or the API county code in the API field?
No. The API field uses the numeric county code inside the 14-digit number, such as 329 for Midland, not the spelled-out county name.
Do I report planned sacks or actually pumped sacks in the sacks field?
No. Never report planned sacks; enter the count actually pumped from the cementer’s job ticket, because the top-of-cement math must reconcile with it.
Can someone other than the operator sign the operator certification?
Yes. An authorized agent or consultant may sign, but the operator remains legally responsible for the truth of the entire report.
Do I need both the cementer and the operator certifications?
Yes. The cementer certifies the slurry data and the operator certifies the whole report; a W-15 missing either certification is treated as unfiled.
Do I need a special access right to file Form W-15 online?
Yes. Your organization’s Security Administrator must add the External W15 Filer right to your RRC Online System account before the module appears.
Will a wrong RRC district number get my report rejected?
Yes. A wrong district routes your filing to an office that cannot act on it, so confirm the district on the drilling permit before you submit.
Do I attach the W-15 PDF to my completion paperwork?
Yes. The online system generates a PDF on submission, and you attach it to forms like the W-2, G-1, W-3A, W-3, and W-4.
Is the calculated top of cement acceptable, or do I need a measured value?
Yes. A calculated top of cement is acceptable when you state the method, but it must reconcile with your sacks, slurry weight, and yield on the same form.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Texas Railroad Commission Form W-10 (w/Examples) + FAQs
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