Oil & Gas Well Permit

HPWUA1010
Plan Review
Required
Inspection
Required
Renewal
Required
Fee
$297.26
Admin fee
$32.16
Valid Period
Until abandoned
Processing Time
10 business days
APPLY QUESTIONS
Houston Public Works

1002 Washington Ave., 3rd Floor
Houston, TX 77002

8am – 12pm or by appointment

About

A well includes and means any hole or holes, bore or bores, to any sand, formation, strata or depth, which is or are drilled, bored, sunk, dug or put down for the purpose of either exploring for or ascertaining the existence of any oil, gas, liquid hydrocarbon, or any of them, or for the purpose of producing and recovering any oil, gas, liquid hydrocarbon, or any of them.

After Approval

Drilling shall begin within 90 days from the date of the permit or the permit shall be forfeited; provided, however, such forfeiture shall not affect the right of the applicant to apply for another permit.

Conditions & Exceptions

Failure to keep the bond or alternative security in full force and effect, in accordance with the terms hereof, shall cause a revocation of the permit and shall be unlawful.

What You Need

Complete a Oil and Gas Well Permit application and submit required documents to the HPC Building. 

  • The name and address of the applicant
    • if the applicant is a corporation, the state of incorporation 
    • if applicant is a partnership, the names and addresses of the general partners.
  • The number of the drilling unit, the particular lot and block number or tract in the drilling unit on which the proposed well is to be located and the exact location of the proposed well by Lambert Coordinates.
  • The type of the well, whether oil or gas, and the proposed depth of the well. 
  • The proposed complete casing program of the well.
  • The exact and correct number of square feet in the drilling unit over which the applicant has control of oil rights or gas rights.
  • A plat prepared by a duly licensed surveyor showing
    • the exact location of the proposed well with respect to the drilling unit boundaries and with respect to the boundaries of the lot or block on which the applicant has secured the rights from the owner to drill;
    • designation of lots, blocks, or tracts owned or controlled by the applicant within the drilling unit, and
    • the distances from the well location to all parks, streets, alleys or other public property, residences, commercial buildings and structures situated within 400 feet of the well location.
  • A copy of Railroad Commission Form 1.
  • Each application shall be accompanied by the filing fee stated for this provision in the city fee schedule, paid in the form of a cashier's check made payable to the city.
Apply in Person

Submit application at the HPC building located at 1002 Washington Ave., 3rd floor, Houston, TX 77002.

Apply by Mail

Mail to: Houston Public Works Impact Fee Administration Section P.O. Box 2688 Houston, TX 77252-2688

Conditions & Exceptions

No filing fee required if previous owner has transferred or assigned wells.

What You Need

Surveyor sealed plat showing distances from lease lines, drilling unit lines, structures, roads, 1000 feet from 45-foot contour at Lake Houston, other items as listed in Code of Ordinances.

Submit Plans in Person

Submit plans to 1002 Washington Ave.

What You Need
  • All permits,
  • blowout preventers,
  • Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure Plan,
  • Muffler NWP-39 well pad,
  • possibly Storm Water Quality Permit if greater than one acre.
Schedule by Phone

Inspection is random but inspectors will call operator before visit.