Railroad Commission Launches “Boots on the Ground” Oil & Gas Inspector Training

AUSTIN— Continuing its culture of learning, the Railroad Commission of Texas today launches its first-ever new inspector training school—"Boots on the Ground.” This training will focus on new oil and gas inspectors with less than two years tenure at the RRC. The school will ensure inspectors have a clear understanding of the agency’s inspection process, oil and gas rules and necessary technical knowledge to provide consistent enforcement across Texas.

“Protection of public safety and our environment is the Commission’s highest priority, and our oil and gas inspectors are on the frontline 24/7 across Texas carrying out this mission” said RRC’s Executive Director Wei Wang. “We are taking many steps to invest in our employees. Boots on the Ground establishes a core curriculum statewide to ensure consistent and accurate application of our rules among all district offices.”

RRC’s first scheduled week-long training school starts today, Feb. 4, in the Commission’s Kilgore District Office. RRC Project Manager and former Kilgore Oil and Gas District Assistant Director Dana McClendon will lead the training classes statewide. Other seminars are scheduled for April and June for inspectors serving RRC’s West and South regions.

The Commission has 158 authorized oil and gas inspector positions.  Currently 75 inspectors have less than two years’ experience at the RRC and will be required to attend “Boots on the Ground” training.  Curriculum includes a review of the Commission’s oil and gas rules and in-the-field mock exercises for inspections and responding to spills and complaints.

RRC's first "Boots on the Ground" training class for oil and gas inspectors with less than
two years at the agency, at our Kilgore District office.