Texas Railroad Commission Form W-3X is the Application for an Extension of Deadline for Plugging an Inactive Well, and every oil and gas operator who wants to keep an inactive well in the ground past the one-year plugging deadline must file it with the Railroad Commission of Texas under Statewide Rule 15. You file it to prove the well still has value or that you have set aside money to plug it, so the state does not force you to plug it now.
If you miss this form or fill it out wrong, your Form P-5 Organization Report renewal can stall, you can lose your good standing to operate, and the well can be pushed into plugging enforcement. Texas tracks more than 100,000 inactive wells across the state, and a single denied extension can trigger a cascade of P-5 problems that touch every well you operate. This guide walks you through the current Rev. 08/2019 version of the form, line by line, with named examples for both the blanket and the single-well paths.
Here is what you will learn:
- 📋 What each numbered box on Form W-3X asks and exactly how to answer it
- 🛢️ How to pick the right blanket option (A, B, C) or individual well option (D–H)
- 💵 The exact fees and surcharges tied to each option, including the $250 and $125 charges
- ✅ Three full walkthroughs using real-style operators so you can copy the pattern
- ⚠️ The field-level mistakes that get applications denied and how to dodge them
What Form W-3X Is and Who Must File It
Form W-3X is the document an operator uses to ask the Railroad Commission of Texas for more time before plugging a well that has stopped producing. Under Statewide Rule 15, an inactive well must be plugged within one year of becoming inactive unless the operator earns an extension. The form is your formal request for that extension, and it lives at the heart of the state’s inactive-well program created by House Bill 2259 in 2009.
Any organization that operates oil or gas wells inside Commission jurisdiction must file Form W-3X if it has inactive wells it does not plan to plug right away. This includes small one-person operators, family-run lease holders, mid-size independents, and large publicly traded companies. The form does not care how big you are. It cares whether you can show a reason to keep the well unplugged.
The agency that receives the form is the Commission’s Oil and Gas Division, Administrative Compliance section in Austin. The statute that requires it is Tex. Nat. Res. Code §89.023, backed by Rule 15. The deadline that governs it is tied to your inactivity date and your annual P-5 renewal cycle, and the penalty for ignoring it is loss of P-5 approval plus plugging enforcement.
A common misconception is that Form W-3X plugs your well or excuses you from ever plugging it. It does neither. It only buys time. You still owe a duty to plug the well someday, and a plugging extension under Tex. Nat. Res. Code §89.023(a)(3)(B) lasts no more than five years before you must renew your basis for the extension. Treat the form as a pause button, not a delete button.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Filling out W-3X goes fast once you have your records in front of you. The form pulls directly from your P-5 file and your well records, so gather these before you open the PDF or the LoneSTAR online portal. Missing even one item can send your application into a denial loop while the Commission waits for proof.
Here is your pre-filing checklist:
- Your exact operator name as shown on Form P-5. The Commission cross-checks this against your Organization Report, and any mismatch flags the application for manual review.
- Your operator P-5 number. This six-digit number ties the form to your file, and a wrong number can attach your request to the wrong operator entirely.
- Your current operator address. The Commission mails notices here, so an old address means you may never learn your extension was denied.
- The lease name as shown on the Proration Schedule. For single-well filings, the Commission matches this against its lease records, and a nickname will not match.
- The field name as shown on the Proration Schedule. This confirms the reservoir and district, and a wrong field can route the well to the wrong cost calculation.
- The API number for the well. Every Texas well has a unique 42-prefixed API number, and without it the Commission cannot identify the exact wellbore.
- The RRC District number and county. These set jurisdiction and the per-foot plugging cost, and getting them wrong skews any bond or escrow amount.
- Your supporting documents for the option you choose. Depending on the option, this means an abeyance of plugging report, a Form H-15 test result, bond or letter of credit forms, or proof of an EOR project, and a missing attachment is the single most common reason for denial.
- Your filing fee and surcharge payment. Options D and F carry surcharges of $250.00 and $125.00, and the Commission denies the application until payment clears.
If any item is missing, stop and find it first. The Commission will not chase you for it. Under the plugging extension rules, an application it cannot verify is simply denied until you fix the gap, and a denial during your P-5 window can cascade across your whole operation.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
You can get Form W-3X two ways, and both lead to the same agency. The first is the fillable PDF, which you can download as the official Form W-3X (Rev. 08/2019) from the Commission’s Oil and Gas Forms page. This is the paper-style route, and you type or print your answers in blue or black ink before mailing or delivering it.
The second way is online through the Commission’s LoneSTAR filing system, which the agency launched for W-3X in July 2024 alongside Forms P-5 and W-3C. LoneSTAR walks you through the same fields as the PDF but adds built-in checks, pulls some of your P-5 data automatically, and lets you upload attachments and pay fees in one session. For most operators, the online route now reduces errors and speeds approval.
Always confirm you have the current revision before you start. The form prints its revision date in the lower corner, and the live version is Rev. 08/2019. If you grab an old copy from a third-party site, the box numbers or options may not match, and the Commission can reject a filing made on a stale form.
A misconception worth clearing up is that the PDF and the online filing are different applications with different rules. They are not. They collect the same information under the same Statewide Rule 15, so choose the channel that fits your workflow, not one you think is “more official.” Both are equally valid.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form W-3X Line by Line
Form W-3X has two paths on a single page. The top section is for blanket extensions covering all your inactive land wells, and the middle section is for a single well. You complete the operator boxes either way, then either the blanket option boxes or the single-well boxes, and finally the certification. Work through the boxes in the order they appear below.
Item 1: Operator Name Exactly as Shown on Form P-5
This box asks for your business name, written word-for-word the way it reads on your Organization Report. You answer by copying your P-5 operator name in full, including any “LLC,” “Inc.,” or “Operating Co.” that appears there. For example, Lone Star Petroleum Operating, LLC writes its name exactly that way, not as “Lone Star Petroleum.”
A common edge case is a recent name change or merger. If your legal name changed, update your P-5 first, because W-3X must match the P-5 on file, not your new letterhead. The most common mistake here is shortening or rephrasing the name, which breaks the automatic match and sends your form to manual review, delaying approval past your deadline. The misconception to drop is that “close enough” works; the Commission’s system reads this box literally, so an abbreviation can read as a different operator.
Item 2: Operator Address Including City, State, and Zip Code
This box asks where the Commission should reach your business by mail. You answer with your full mailing address on one line set: street or P.O. Box, then city, state, and ZIP code. For example, 2200 Energy Plaza, Suite 410, Midland, TX 79701 is a complete entry.
If you use a P.O. Box for mail but a street address for your physical office, use the address where you actually receive Commission mail, since that is where denial and approval notices go. The common mistake is listing an outdated address after an office move, which means you may never see a notice that your extension was denied. The misconception is that the Commission emails everything; many official notices still go by mail, so a wrong address can cost you your window to fix a problem.
Item 3: Operator P-5 Number
This box asks for the unique number the Commission assigned to your organization on your P-5. You answer with that six-digit number exactly as it appears in your records. For example, 514099 identifies one specific operator in the Commission’s system.
A nuance: this number stays with your organization across years, so use the same number you used on past filings even if your address or officers changed. The common mistake is transposing two digits, which can attach your extension request to a completely different operator’s file and cause a false denial. The misconception is that the P-5 number and your taxpayer ID are interchangeable; they are not, and only the P-5 number ties the form to your inactive-well records.
Choosing Your Path: Blanket or Single Well
Before the option boxes, decide which path fits. File the blanket section if you want one extension to cover all your inactive land wells at once, which you submit with your annual P-5 renewal. File the single-well section if you are extending one specific well, which you may file at any time during the year.
For example, Permian Basin Resources, Inc., with 40 inactive wells, files one blanket W-3X, while J. Carter Oil, with a single old well it wants to keep, files the single-well section. The common mistake is mixing both paths on one form, which confuses the reviewer about what you are asking for. The misconception is that a blanket filing covers offshore or bay wells; it covers inactive land wells, so check your well types first.
Blanket Option A: Plugged or Restored 10% of Inactive Wells
This option says you earned your blanket extension by plugging or returning to active status 10% of the inactive land wells you operated at your last P-5 renewal. You answer by checking box A if your count meets the threshold. For example, Permian Basin Resources, Inc. had 40 inactive wells at last renewal, plugged or reactivated 4 of them this year, and checks A.
The nuance is timing: you count wells handled since your last P-5 annual renewal date, not the calendar year. If the Commission cannot verify your count, you may need to attach a list naming the wells you plugged or reactivated. The common mistake is rounding up when you fall short of the full 10%, which leads to denial once the Commission checks its plugging records. The misconception is that selling wells counts toward the 10%; only plugging or true return to active operation counts under Rule 15.
Blanket Option B: Publicly Traded Entity Financial Documents
This option is for public companies that back their inactive wells with federal asset-retirement filings. You answer by checking box B and attaching your FASB Statement No. 143 documents plus an original executed UCC-1 Financing Statement naming you as “debtor” and the Railroad Commission of Texas as “secured creditor” for the cost calculation to plug all inactive wells. For example, a public independent like Gulf Coast Energy Corp. checks B and attaches both documents.
The nuance is that the UCC-1 must be filed with the Texas Secretary of State and must name the exact funds amount tied to your cost calculation. The common mistake is attaching the FASB document but forgetting the executed UCC-1, which voids the option and triggers denial. The misconception is that any private company can use this option; it is limited to publicly traded entities, so a private operator must pick A or C instead.
Blanket Option C: Additional Financial Security or $2 Million
This option lets you cover all inactive wells with a blanket bond, letter of credit, or cash deposit equal to the cost calculation to plug them or $2 million, whichever is less. You answer by checking box C and attaching the financial instrument, such as Form P-5PB(2) Blanket Performance Bond or Form P-5LC letter of credit. For example, Lone Star Petroleum Operating, LLC posts a blanket bond and checks C.
The nuance is the “whichever is less” cap: if your full cost calculation tops $2 million, you only need to secure $2 million. The common mistake is posting a bond amount based on a guess rather than the Commission’s per-foot cost calculation, which can leave you short and denied. The misconception is that an existing P-5 bond automatically satisfies this option; the security must specifically cover the inactive-well cost calculation, not just your base organization bond.
Item 4: Lease Name as Shown on Proration Schedule
Now the single-well boxes begin. This box asks for the lease name tied to the well, written as it appears on the Commission’s Proration Schedule. You answer by copying that lease name exactly. For example, Carter-Smith “A” is entered just as the schedule shows it, quotation marks and all.
The nuance is that informal lease nicknames used around the field office rarely match the official schedule, so always pull the schedule name. The common mistake is entering the surface owner’s name instead of the lease name, which the Commission cannot match to a wellbore. The misconception is that the lease name and the field name are the same; they are separate items on this form, and each must come from the schedule.
Item 5: Field Name as Shown on Proration Schedule
This box asks for the producing field the well belongs to, again as the Proration Schedule lists it. You answer by copying the official field name. For example, Spraberry (Trend Area) is the kind of full field name the schedule carries.
The nuance is that many Texas fields have long official names with parenthetical descriptors, and you must include the full name, not a shortened version. The common mistake is using a generic basin name like “Permian” instead of the exact field, which fails the match. The misconception is that the field is optional for a single well; it is required, because the field sets the reservoir and helps confirm the district and cost calculation.
Item 6: API Number (42-)
This box asks for the well’s American Petroleum Institute number, which uniquely identifies the wellbore. You answer by writing the digits after the printed 42- prefix, since 42 is the state code for Texas. For example, a well in Midland County might read 42-329-31045.
The nuance is that the API number has district and county segments, so confirm each part against your completion records. The common mistake is dropping a digit or using the lease number in this box, which points the Commission to the wrong well or no well at all. The misconception is that the API number and the Oil Lease or Gas ID number are the same; they are different identifiers, and both have their own boxes on this form.
Item 7: RRC District Number
This box asks which of the Commission’s Oil and Gas districts the well sits in. You answer with the district number, such as 08 for the Midland area or 03 for the upper Gulf Coast. For example, a Midland County well is in District 08.
The nuance is that district boundaries follow Commission lines, not county lines exactly, so verify the district from the well’s records rather than assuming. The common mistake is guessing the district from the county, which can throw off the per-foot plugging cost calculation used for bond options. The misconception is that the district does not matter for non-financial options; it always matters, because the Commission uses district-level data to verify and price the well.
Item 8: Oil Lease / Gas ID Number
This box asks for the Commission-assigned lease or gas identification number for the well. You answer with that number from your Proration Schedule or P-4 records. For example, 08-31045 might be the oil lease number for a District 08 lease.
The nuance is that oil wells use a lease number while gas wells use a gas ID, so use the one that matches the well’s classification. The common mistake is swapping the API number into this box, which breaks the cross-check between the two identifiers. The misconception is that this number is the same as the lease name; the name is words and this is the Commission’s numeric ID, and both are required.
Item 9: Well Number
This box asks which specific well on the lease you are extending. You answer with the well number as shown on the Proration Schedule. For example, the third well on a lease is entered as 3 or No. 3, matching the schedule.
The nuance is that leases often have several wells, and the extension applies only to the well number you list, so file a separate request for each well unless using a blanket. The common mistake is leaving this blank on a multi-well lease, which makes the application ambiguous and subject to denial. The misconception is that listing the lease alone covers every well on it; for a single-well filing, the Commission needs the exact well number.
Item 10: County
This box asks the Texas county where the well is located. You answer with the county name. For example, Midland is entered for a well near Midland.
The nuance is that some leases straddle two counties, so list the county where the wellbore surface location sits, which the Commission records show. The common mistake is naming a neighboring county, which can conflict with the district and lease records and slow verification. The misconception is that the county is just for reference; it helps the Commission confirm jurisdiction and the correct district cost data, so accuracy matters.
Individual Well Option D: Abeyance of Plugging Report ($250)
This option says the well has future utility certified by a licensed engineer or geoscientist. You answer by checking box D, attaching the abeyance of plugging report, and paying the required filing fee and surcharge of $250.00 under Rule 78 and Tex. Nat. Res. Code §81.070. For example, J. Carter Oil attaches a sealed report and pays $250.
The nuance is that the report must carry the seal of a currently licensed professional engineer or professional geoscientist and is valid for no more than five years. The common mistake is filing the report without the certifying seal or without the surcharge, which leads straight to denial. The misconception is that the operator can self-certify future utility; only a licensed PE or PG can sign the certification under §89.023(a)(3)(B).
Individual Well Option E: Part of an Approved EOR Project
This option says the well belongs to a Commission-approved Enhanced Oil Recovery project. You answer by checking box E and attaching a statement that the well is part of that EOR project. For example, Permian Basin Resources, Inc. checks E for a well inside its approved waterflood unit.
The nuance is that the EOR project must already be approved by the Commission; a pending application does not qualify. The common mistake is checking E when no EOR project is on file, which the Commission catches and denies because it finds no matching record. The misconception is that any secondary recovery effort counts; only a formally Commission-approved EOR project under the relevant rules satisfies this option, so confirm your project’s status first.
Individual Well Option F: Fluid Level or Pressure Test ($125)
This option applies when a well not otherwise required to be tested passes a fluid level or hydraulic pressure test. You answer by checking box F, filing the test results on Form H-15, and paying the filing fee and surcharge of $125.00 under Rule 78. For example, J. Carter Oil runs a successful test, files H-15, and pays $125.
The nuance is that this option is not available for a well more than 25 years old that is already required to test under the H-15 program, or a well with an injection or disposal permit requiring periodic H-5 testing. The common mistake is choosing F for a well that already must test, which disqualifies the option and denies the extension. The misconception is that the test result alone is enough; you must also file Form H-15 and pay the surcharge for the option to count.
Individual Well Option G: Additional Financial Security
This option lets you secure the single well with a bond, letter of credit, or cash deposit equal to the cost calculation to plug that well. You answer by checking box G and attaching the approved financial instrument. For example, Gulf Coast Energy Corp. posts a supplemental bond sized to the well’s cost calculation and checks G.
The nuance is that the amount must equal the Commission’s per-foot cost calculation for that exact wellbore, based on its depth and district. The common mistake is posting a flat round number instead of the calculated amount, which leaves the security short and the application denied. The misconception is that a single-well bond also covers your other inactive wells; option G secures only the well listed in items 4 through 10.
Individual Well Option H: Escrow Fund Deposit (10%)
This option lets you deposit at least 10% of the well’s cost calculation into an escrow fund. You answer by checking box H and submitting the deposit as a certified cashier’s check or currency. For example, if the cost calculation to plug a well is $30,000, Lone Star Petroleum Operating, LLC deposits at least $3,000 and checks H.
The nuance is that the deposit must be in the accepted form, certified cashier’s check or currency, not a personal check or promise. The common mistake is depositing less than 10% of the full cost calculation, which fails the threshold and denies the extension. The misconception is that the escrow is a fee you lose; it is your money held in trust toward plugging, and it builds each time you renew the extension for that well.
Certification: Signature, Name, Title, Date, and Phone
This block certifies that everything on the form is true under penalty of law. You answer by signing, printing your name, listing your title, entering the date, and giving your phone number, plus a contact person if different. For example, Maria Delgado, Compliance Manager, signs, prints her name, writes 06/01/2026, and lists her phone.
The nuance is that the signer should have authority to bind the operator, since the certification is made under Tex. Nat. Res. Code §91.143 and the Texas Penal Code. The common mistake is leaving the form unsigned or undated, which makes it incomplete and unfilable. The misconception is that the certification is a formality; a false statement here carries real legal penalties, so review the form for accuracy before you sign.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Seeing the form completed end to end makes the pattern click. Below are three operators using the most common paths: a small operator using blanket Option A, a single-well filer using Option D, and a single-well filer using Option F. Each table shows what that filer writes in the key sections.
Scenario 1: Permian Basin Resources, Inc. — Blanket Option A. This mid-size operator had 40 inactive land wells at its last P-5 renewal and plugged or reactivated 4 of them this year, so it files one blanket W-3X with its P-5 renewal.
| Form Section | What Permian Basin Resources Enters |
|---|---|
| Item 1: Operator Name | Permian Basin Resources, Inc. |
| Item 2: Operator Address | 500 Wall Street, Midland, TX 79701 |
| Item 3: Operator P-5 No. | 514099 |
| Path chosen | Blanket extension for all inactive land wells |
| Blanket Option | Box A checked (plugged/reactivated 10%) |
| Supporting attachment | List naming the 4 wells plugged or returned to active status |
| Fee or surcharge | None for Option A |
| Certification signature | Maria Delgado, Compliance Manager, 06/01/2026 |
Scenario 2: J. Carter Oil — Single Well, Option D. This small operator wants to keep one older well it believes has future value, so it files a single-well W-3X with a sealed abeyance of plugging report.
| Form Section | What J. Carter Oil Enters |
|---|---|
| Item 1: Operator Name | J. Carter Oil |
| Item 3: Operator P-5 No. | 731556 |
| Item 4: Lease Name | Carter-Smith “A” |
| Item 6: API Number | 42-329-31045 |
| Item 7: RRC District No. | 08 |
| Item 9: Well No. | 3 |
| Individual Option | Box D checked (abeyance of plugging report) |
| Fee or surcharge | $250.00 surcharge paid, sealed report attached |
Scenario 3: Lone Star Petroleum Operating, LLC — Single Well, Option F. This operator keeps a well that is not otherwise required to test, runs a successful fluid level test, and files the result on Form H-15.
| Form Section | What Lone Star Petroleum Enters |
|---|---|
| Item 1: Operator Name | Lone Star Petroleum Operating, LLC |
| Item 3: Operator P-5 No. | 602214 |
| Item 4: Lease Name | West Draw Unit |
| Item 5: Field Name | Spraberry (Trend Area) |
| Item 6: API Number | 42-227-28890 |
| Item 7: RRC District No. | 08 |
| Individual Option | Box F checked (fluid level/pressure test) |
| Fee or surcharge | $125.00 surcharge paid, Form H-15 filed |
How to File the Completed Form
You can file Form W-3X through more than one channel, and the right one depends on whether you are filing blanket or single-well. Pick the channel that matches your records and keep proof of whatever you send.
- Online through LoneSTAR. File at the LoneSTAR portal, where you complete the same fields, upload attachments, and pay any surcharge in one session. Pay the $250 or $125 surcharge by the portal’s accepted electronic methods, expect faster processing than paper, and save the confirmation number and a PDF of your submission as proof.
- By mail. Send the signed PDF and attachments to Oil and Gas / Admin. Compliance, PO Box 12967, Austin, TX 78711-2967. Include a check or money order for any surcharge, allow extra time for mail and manual processing, and keep a copy of the full packet plus your mailing receipt as proof.
- In person. Deliver the packet to the Commission’s Austin office at the same Administrative Compliance section. Bring payment for any surcharge, ask for a date-stamped copy, and keep that stamped copy as your proof of filing.
Whichever channel you choose, file blanket applications with your annual P-5 renewal and file single-well applications any time. The Commission denies any application it cannot verify, so confirm your attachments and payment are complete before you submit. Keep your proof until you receive written approval.
What Happens After You File
After you file, the Commission reviews your form against its records for your P-5 status, your well data, and the option you selected. If everything matches and any required fee has cleared, the agency approves the extension and notes it in your file. You can often check status through the Commission’s W-3X extension status query, which shows whether your request is recorded.
If the Commission cannot confirm eligibility, it denies the application until you resolve the gap. According to the plugging extension requirements, common triggers include no record of an approved EOR project, no H-15 on file, or no fee received. A denial is not always final; it is often a hold that lifts once you supply the missing piece.
Remember that an approved extension is temporary. An abeyance-based extension under Tex. Nat. Res. Code §89.023 lasts no more than five years, and blanket extensions ride your annual P-5 cycle. Plan to refile before each window closes so your well never falls back under the one-year plugging clock.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
Each box on W-3X is its own chance to slip, and the Commission denies applications it cannot verify. Watch for these specific errors.
- Writing the operator name differently than Form P-5; the automatic match fails and your form goes to manual review.
- Entering a wrong or transposed P-5 number; your request attaches to the wrong file and gets a false denial.
- Using a lease nickname instead of the Proration Schedule name; the Commission cannot match it to a wellbore.
- Dropping a digit in the API number; the form points to the wrong well or no well at all.
- Guessing the RRC district from the county; the per-foot cost calculation comes out wrong.
- Mixing the blanket and single-well paths on one form; the reviewer cannot tell what you are asking for.
- Checking Option B as a private company; only publicly traded entities qualify, so it is denied.
- Filing Option D without the certifying engineer or geoscientist seal; the report is invalid.
- Choosing Option F for a well already required to test; the option does not apply and the extension is denied.
- Forgetting the $250 or $125 surcharge on Options D or F; the Commission denies until payment clears.
- Posting a bond or escrow below the cost calculation; the security is short and the application fails.
- Leaving the certification unsigned or undated; the form is incomplete and cannot be processed.
Do’s and Don’ts
A few habits keep your W-3X clean and approvable. Follow these on every filing.
Do:
- Do copy your operator name and P-5 number straight from your Organization Report, because the system matches them word for word.
- Do pull lease, field, and well details from the Proration Schedule, because that is the record the Commission checks against.
- Do attach every supporting document for your chosen option, because a missing attachment is the top reason for denial.
- Do pay the exact surcharge for Options D and F, because the Commission holds the application until payment clears.
- Do confirm you have Rev. 08/2019, because an outdated form can be rejected.
- Do keep proof of filing, because you may need it if a notice goes missing.
Don’t:
- Don’t abbreviate or rephrase your operator name, because even a small change breaks the automatic match.
- Don’t guess the district or county, because errors there distort the cost calculation.
- Don’t combine blanket and single-well requests on one form, because it confuses the review.
- Don’t self-certify future utility for Option D, because only a licensed PE or PG can sign that report.
- Don’t assume your base P-5 bond covers the inactive-well security, because Options C and G need their own amount.
- Don’t sign before checking accuracy, because the certification carries legal penalties under §91.143.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Many operators file W-3X themselves, while others lean on a consultant or attorney. Weigh these points before you decide.
Pros of filing on your own:
- You save the cost of a consultant, because the form itself is short and structured.
- You control the timeline, because you file the moment your records are ready.
- You learn your own well records, because completing the boxes forces you to confirm them.
- You keep sensitive data in-house, because no outside party handles your filings.
- You can use LoneSTAR’s built-in checks, because the portal flags many errors before you submit.
Cons of filing on your own:
- You carry the full risk of a wrong option, because a denial can ripple through your P-5 status.
- You must size bonds and escrow yourself, because the cost calculation is easy to miscompute.
- You may miss the abeyance seal rule, because Option D requires a licensed PE or PG.
- You handle deadline tracking alone, because no one else watches your five-year and P-5 windows.
- You may not know the testing exclusions, because Option F has narrow eligibility rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Form W-3X actually do?
Yes it asks the Railroad Commission of Texas to extend the deadline to plug an inactive well under Statewide Rule 15, buying you time rather than excusing plugging.
Do I file W-3X with my P-5 renewal?
Yes for blanket extensions you file one W-3X with your annual P-5 renewal, while single-well extensions may be filed at any time during the year.
Do I write my operator name exactly as on Form P-5 in Item 1?
Yes copy it word for word, because the Commission’s system matches Item 1 against your Organization Report and any change breaks the match.
Do I put the API number or the lease number in Item 6?
No Item 6 takes only the 42-prefixed API number, while the Oil Lease or Gas ID number belongs in Item 8 as a separate identifier.
Do I check both a blanket box and a single-well box?
No choose one path; blanket Options A, B, or C cover all inactive land wells, while single-well Options D through H cover one listed well.
Is there a fee for Option D?
Yes Option D requires a $250.00 filing fee and surcharge under Rule 78 and Tex. Nat. Res. Code §81.070, plus the attached abeyance of plugging report.
Is there a fee for Option F?
Yes Option F requires a $125.00 filing fee and surcharge, and you must also file the test results on Form H-15 for the option to count.
Can a private company use Option B?
No Option B is limited to publicly traded entities filing FASB Statement No. 143 documents and an executed UCC-1; private operators use Option A or C.
Do I need an engineer to sign the abeyance report for Option D?
Yes the report must carry the seal of a currently licensed professional engineer or professional geoscientist under Tex. Nat. Res. Code §89.023(a)(3)(B).
Can I use Option F on a well over 25 years old?
No if the well is over 25 years old and already required to test under the H-15 program, or holds a permit requiring H-5 testing, Option F does not apply.
Does an approved extension last forever?
No an abeyance-based extension lasts no more than five years, and blanket extensions follow your annual P-5 cycle, so you must refile before each window closes.
Can I file W-3X online?
Yes the Commission launched LoneSTAR online filing for W-3X in July 2024, letting you complete fields, upload attachments, and pay surcharges in one session.
What happens if my application cannot be verified?
No approval issues until you fix it; the Commission denies any application it cannot confirm, such as a missing fee, H-15, or EOR record, until the gap is resolved.
Do I have to plug the well after the extension ends?
Yes the duty to plug remains; W-3X only delays the deadline, so when the extension lapses the well returns to the one-year plugging clock under Rule 15.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Texas Railroad Commission Form H-15 (w/Examples) + FAQs
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