RRC Production Reporting Deadline: What You Need to Know
Updated March 2026 · 8 min read
Production reporting to the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) is one of the most fundamental compliance obligations for every oil and gas operator in the state. Missing a production reporting deadline can lead to well shutdowns, penalty letters, and downstream compliance problems with TCEQ emissions calculations.
This guide covers everything you need to know about RRC production reporting — deadlines, forms, filing methods, and consequences of noncompliance.
Production Reporting Deadlines
Texas operators must file monthly production reports with the RRC. The reporting schedule works as follows:
Monthly Reports
Production data for each month is due by the 15th of the second month following the production month. For example, January production is due by March 15, February production by April 15, and so on. This two-month lag gives operators time to gather accurate production data from purchasers and field measurements.
Annual Reconciliation
By March 1, operators should reconcile their annual production data to ensure all monthly reports are accurate and consistent with purchaser statements and pipeline receipts. While not a strict separate deadline, discrepancies flagged during RRC's annual review can trigger compliance inquiries.
Required Forms
Form P-1: Monthly Production Report (Oil)
Form P-1 is required for all oil wells and reports monthly oil production, disposition (sold, used on lease, stored), and associated gas production. Each lease requires a separate P-1 filing. The form must include accurate API numbers, lease numbers, and production volumes in barrels.
Form P-2: Monthly Production Report (Gas)
Form P-2 covers gas well production and reports gas volumes (in MCF), condensate production, and gas disposition. Like the P-1, each lease requires a separate filing with accurate well and lease identification.
Form PR: Pumper/Gauger Report
The PR form is used by pumpers and gaugers to report daily production measurements. While not submitted directly to the RRC in most cases, this data feeds into the P-1 and P-2 reports and must be maintained as supporting documentation.
How to File Production Reports
The RRC strongly encourages electronic filing through its online system. Electronic filing is faster, reduces errors, and provides immediate confirmation of receipt. Operators can file through the RRC's Online System, third-party production reporting software that integrates with the RRC system, or paper forms (still accepted but processing takes longer).
To file electronically, you need an active RRC Online account linked to your operator number. If you operate under multiple operator numbers, each one requires its own filing.
Consequences of Late or Missing Reports
The RRC takes production reporting seriously, and the consequences of noncompliance escalate quickly:
- Severance tax issues: The Texas Comptroller uses RRC production data for severance tax calculations — discrepancies trigger audits
- Well shutdowns: Persistent failure to file can result in the RRC ordering wells to be shut in until reports are current
- Penalty letters: The RRC can assess penalties for late filings, typically starting at a few hundred dollars per well per month
- Permit complications: Having delinquent production reports can block new drilling permits, transfer approvals, and other RRC filings
- TCEQ impacts: Production data feeds into emissions calculations — inaccurate reporting can cascade into TCEQ compliance problems
Common Reporting Mistakes
Based on common RRC compliance issues, these are the mistakes operators should avoid:
- Filing production under the wrong lease or API number
- Failing to report zero production for shut-in wells (you must still file)
- Inconsistent volumes between operator reports and purchaser statements
- Not updating operator information when wells are transferred
- Missing the filing deadline because of manual tracking processes
Best Practices for Production Reporting
Operators who stay on top of production reporting follow these practices: reconcile field measurements with purchaser statements monthly, file electronically to get immediate confirmation, set calendar reminders at least one week before each deadline, maintain organized records of all supporting documentation, and review RRC's online portal regularly to verify that filed reports are showing correctly.
CompliantIntel tracks your RRC production reporting deadlines alongside all your TCEQ and EPA obligations, sending automated reminders before each filing is due.
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