Rbrantley@utsystem - Edu: Revised 3/25/2017
Rbrantley@utsystem - Edu: Revised 3/25/2017
Rbrantley@utsystem - Edu: Revised 3/25/2017
Surface Operations
Field Manual of Required
Operating Procedures
For Oil & Gas Leases
This manual is designed to inform Operators of Oil and Gas Leases on University Lands of required
standard operating procedures. In addition to applicable state and federal regulations, all Rules and
Regulations of the Board of Regents of the University of Texas, the Board for Lease of University
Lands (or successor), and the Texas Railroad Commission, must be followed. Activities not in
accordance with such rules and regulations will be addressed as deemed appropriate by University
Lands.
Our objective in providing this manual is to establish procedures that will enhance, protect, and
preserve University Lands, as well as permit the production of oil and gas in an efficient manner.
We are dedicated to working with lessees holding Oil and Gas Leases on University land and the
Operators’ cooperation is expected and appreciated.
To coordinate activities on University Lands, please contact the University Lands designated
Field Representative listed at the end of this manual or:
Richard Brantley
Executive Director
University Lands
P. O. Box 553
Midland, Texas 79702
(432) 684-4404
[email protected]
Revised 3/25/2017
ABOUT UNIVERSITY LANDS
University Lands, under the direction of the Office of Business Affairs, of The University of
Texas System is responsible for managing the Permanent University Fund lands and the Trust
Minerals. University Lands is comprised of three divisions: Surface Interests, Mineral Interests,
and Accounting.
The State of Texas Constitution of 1876 called for the creation of the University of Texas and
appropriated one million acres of land for the establishment of a Permanent University Fund. An
additional one million acres were added to the PUF in 1883. These lands constitute the bulk of
what is commonly referred to as the University lands or PUF lands. Now totaling approximately
2.1 million acres, most of this land is located in the West Texas counties of Andrews, Crane,
Crockett, Culberson, Dawson, Ector, El Paso, Gaines, Hudspeth, Irion, Loving, Martin, Pecos,
Reagan, Schleicher, Terrell, Upton, Ward, and Winkler.
Table of Contents
(*Please Note pages are for the smaller page format)
Subject Page
I. Responsible Party 1
II. Paperwork, Fees, and Charges for Damages 2
III. Rights-of-Way 2
IV. Location and Drilling Procedures 2
V. Caliche and Other Materials 4
VI. Water 5
VII. Frac Pits
VIII. Completed Well Sites 5
IX. Production Facilities 6
X. Salt Water Disposal 7
XI. Flow Lines 7
XII. Pipelines and Gas Gathering Lines 8
XIII. Plugging and Abandonment Procedures 9
XIV. Lease Surface Maintenance 10
XV. Roads, Cattle Guards, Gates, and Locks 10
XVI. Vehicles 12
XVII. Fire Prevention 12
XVIII. Alcoholic Beverages, Hunting, Fishing 12
XIX. Compliance Enforcement Options 13
XX. Equipment and Best Practices 13
XXI. Miscellaneous 14
XXII. University Lands Contacts 14
I. RESPONSIBLE PARTY
Except where specifically noted, the Oil and Gas Operator (Operator) is primarily responsible to
ensure that all requirements in this manual are met and all guidelines are followed. The term
“Operator” as used in this manual includes all working-interest owners in the lease(s). University
Lands strongly encourages all operators to designate a primary point of contact for University Lands
business; communication is best documented through email notifications.
Operators conducting business on University land are responsible for all activities and conduct of
their employees, agents, and guests, as well as the employees and agents of drilling contractors,
service companies, and all others providing services or materials to their lease(s). Damage to
University Lands’ property by an Operator or its agents must be reported immediately to the
University Lands designated Field Representative by email. Repairs or damages due will be
determined based on the most recent University Lands Rate and Damage Schedule. Penalties may
be assessed for failure to report damage or for other non-compliance issues. University Lands
encourages the Operator to read and become familiar with all conditions set forth in this Manual of
Required Operating Procedures, the most recent University Lands Rate and Damage Schedule, the
Rules of the Board for Lease of University Lands (or successor), and the Operator’s Oil and Gas
Lease(s).
University land is frequently subject to multiple uses and all Operators must accommodate all other
legal uses by other parties and not interfere in any way beyond the reasonable and necessary
conduct of their operations on their lease(s).
The Operator may be liable for livestock deaths, especially deaths resulting from failure to comply
with the operating procedures outlined in this manual. Livestock have the right-of-way on lease
roads. Livestock killed or injured as a result of oilfield activity are the responsibility of the Operator
and must be immediately reported to the designated Field Representative via email.
All production equipment and related material on an Oil and Gas Lease (except equipment
and materials specifically covered by an easement or surface lease) becomes the liability and
responsibility of the oil and gas lessee when the lease is signed or assigned, regardless of the
date of origin of the production equipment and related material. If surplus or abandoned
equipment or other material was present on the premises prior to leasing, the current oil and
gas lessee is liable for that material. This includes, but is not limited to, abandoned cement
bases and foundations, pump jacks, separators, tanks, surplus pipe, tubing, sucker rods, flow
lines, gathering lines, transformers, power lines and poles, meters and meter housings, drums,
sills, thread protectors, stuffing boxes and swab rubbers, used/old V-Belts, miscellaneous
refuse and trash, etc.
III. RIGHTS-OF-WAY
Any pipeline, flow line, electric line, or other surface appurtenance that is not entirely on the
Oil and Gas Lease it serves, or which serves more than one Oil and Gas Lease, requires an
easement or surface lease, regardless of Lease ownership. Each Oil and Gas Lease grants certain
rights to the limited use of the surface; however, these rights do not extend beyond the
boundaries of each individual lease, other than ingress and egress to and from the property.
Surface Leases are specific as to what they may be used for and are not general in scope. Any
addition to the permitted use is prohibited without amendment of the Lease. Easements and
Surface Leases are not freely assignable. Written approval to assign is a prerequisite, as is the
payment of an administrative fee. For all easements, surface leases, and other rights-of-way issues,
please contact the University Lands office at (432) 684-4404. Please refer to our website
http://www.utlands.utsystem.edu/forms_procs.aspx to download and electronically submit
applications for commercial leases, easements (pipeline, power line, fiber optic, road), and Salt
Water Disposal (SWD) contracts. NOTE that there are new requirements for GIS data formats
located at the bottom of easement applications. Applications will NOT be processed unless
the required information is received.
VI. WATER
No water may be used from any source on University land without written permission from University
Lands designated Field Representative and must comply with the University Lands Ground Water
Management Plan. Advance payment for water use is required. The Operator must notify the
University Lands designated Field Representative prior to drilling any water well or using any water
from University land, except when obtained from a commercial facility. All water wells must be
properly identified as described in the Groundwater Management Plan
(http://www.utlands.utsystem.edu/Surface/GroundwaterManagement.aspx)
a. All frac pits that serve two (2) or more leases require a five (5) year surface contract. If the
contract is not renewed at the end of the primary term then the pit must be filled with soil material
and reseeded according to University Lands procedures:
(http://www.utlands.utsystem.edu/forms/pdfs/SeedMixturesByCounties20080912.pdf)
b. Only water less than 3,000 ppm total dissolved solids (TDS) may be stored in the frac pits. No
flow back or produced water may be stored in a frac pit.
XVI. VEHICLES
The maximum speed limit on University land lease roads is thirty (30) mph unless otherwise posted.
The Operator is liable for any damage resulting from excessive speed or unsafe operation.
For illustrations of University approved installations, please refer to the following website:
http://www.utlands.utsystem.edu/surface/bestpractices.aspx
XXI. MISCELLANEOUS
a. If any person is observed on University land without an apparent business purpose, please notify the
University Lands designated Field Representative immediately.
b. Damage to any University land by an Operator or its agents must be immediately reported to the
designated Field Representative. Repairs or damages due will be determined by the designated Field
Representative per the most recent University Lands Rate and Damage Schedule.
XXII. UNIVERSITY LANDS CONTACTS
The following list provides contact information for appropriate University Lands' personnel,
including telephone numbers and areas for which they are responsible.
FIELD REPRESENTATIVES
Nick Alejandro
Cellular: 830-889-4335
Fax: 432-687-1812
Crane, Ector, Pecos, & Terrell Counties
Email: [email protected]
Drew McEachern
Cellular: 432-634-4108
Fax: 432-687-1812
Andrews, Culberson, Dawson, Gaines, Hudspeth, & Martin Counties
Email: [email protected]
Brazos Peacock
Cellular: 432-940-4392
Fax: 432-687-1812
Crockett, Reagan, & Upton Counties
Email: [email protected]
Michael Taylor
Cellular: 432-940-4945
Fax: 432-687-1812
Loving, Ward, Winkler, Culberson, Hudspeth & El Paso Counties
Email: [email protected]
Jeff White
Cellular: 432-556-2564
Fax: 432-687-1812
Crockett, Irion, Reagan & Schleicher Counties
Email: [email protected]
Jim Buice
Midland Office: 432-684-4404
Fax: 432-682-7456
Email: [email protected]
Steven Brite
Cellular: 214-531-2974
Fax: 432-687-1812
Email: [email protected]
SURFACE LEASE INSPECTIONS AND REMEDIATION
Daniel Bryant
Cellular: 432-661-6808
Fax: 432-687-1812
Email: [email protected]
Joe Petersen
Midland Office: 432-684-4404
Fax: 432-687-1812
Email: [email protected]