How information is received, utilized, stored, and provided

for reuse can have a profound impact on the ultimate value of theses assets.

With that in mind, the Texas Railroad Commission (RRC) developed a vision for its information management direction into the new millennium.

Acquisition & Utilization Projects

D-Form Project - RRC's D-Form project utilizes information technologies, including the Internet, to revolutionize the Commission's field inspection processes. It covers all phases, including acquisition, distribution, and utilization of inspection information. This Oracle system provides direct downloads from central databases in Austin, of much of the basic information for inspection forms. Previously, the district field offices used a series of paper ("D" for district) forms for the various field inspections performed. Over 100,000 forms, annually, had been completed manually.

AOL Project - The AOL project is RRC's first computer workflow process that allows real time access to information in multiple formats. This GIS web-based application for a complex, labor-intensive evaluation step in the Commission's environmental permitting of wells that inject fluids underground. It will provide multiple users access to a variety of well information, including maps, scanned forms, and extracts from mainframe databases.

Information Distribution Projects

Information technology can increase both the amount of data resources available for public use as well as the methods by which the information can be accessed.

Hearing Files Catalog - The RRC has instituted utilizing an approach of providing Internet catalogs to expand the accessibility of information assets, starting with pilot projects for the oil & gas hearing files and well logs. This concept of developing a workable catalog format can be a very cost effective way to greatly expand customer access to large volumes of historical information.

ACTI Project - The ACTI project is a web-based system that enables the RRC to provide the largest volume of oil and gas production date ever released to the public in an interactive query format. Access to this type information is a crucial component of an oil and gas producer's ability to evaluate the feasibility of exploration and operations decisions. For more information on ACTI see the October 26, 1998 issue of the "Oil and Gas Journal."

E Commerce Projects

The Internet is much more than just a means of providing information to others. Electronic commerce is quickly being established as a viable business function. This is why a major aspect of the Commission's vision is developing capabilities for operators to utilize the Internet for compliance functions and performance reporting.

ECAP Project - With these goals in mind, a joint industry/RRC electronic commerce work group developed an action plan. This has resulted in the Electronic Compliance and Approval Process (ECAP) project. ECAP's objective is to create an electronic format for the full regulatory and compliance life cycle of oil and gas wells and leases. The timetable is to convert all permitting to two-way electronic Internet processes over the next five years. Visit the ECAP web site to find out more.