I'm sorry. I'll get over it. For what it's worth, I personally have been asking the board for clarification and changes to better handle well platting.
I am still waiting for a response to a letter I sent to the board about these issues from the Spring of 2014. If I receive anything, I will post it here.
Andy Nold, post: 345831, member: 7 wrote: I have seen many well plats prepared by a landman or someone (their credentials aren't exactly listed) and the drawing is akin to a crayon sketch on a paper bag. I've recently noticed a civil engineer who bought his own JAVAD gps unit running around west Texas preparing well plats. Not sure he has enough experience with boundaries to properly breakdown a T&P Block, but there's his plat sitting in the RRC GIS.
Real property in the form of mineral assets is affected, why would anyone want something on the order of a mortgage survey? How do you know you are even within the lease if you don't establish the boundary?
I think I'm fairly well acquainted with this unnamed engineer. He definitely does not have enough boundary experience, although I guarantee you his plats are correct (according to him.)
As a non-Texan (thank you-know-who) I have one little question.
What is the special link between wells and the railroad?
They happened to be there when the oil boom hit.
Holy Cow, post: 346104, member: 50 wrote: As a non-Texan (thank you-know-who) I have one little question.
What is the special link between wells and the railroad?
That's really something. The one thing they have no control over today is the railroad!
Thanks for the link, Cyril.
Got this in an email today.
Please follow this link http://www.rrc.texas.gov/legal/rules/proposed-rules/ and make your comments regarding the proposed rules changes by the Railroad Commission. TSPS generally supports the proposed rule changes as they are a needed step in the right direction, however professional engineers should not be allowed to certify a boundary survey plat. TSPS will seek to have that portion of the rules removed. A large response by the TSPS membership may help guide these new rules in the right direction. TSPS is also preparing a response.
Kris Morgan, post: 346568, member: 29 wrote: Got this in an email today.
Please follow this link http://www.rrc.texas.gov/legal/rules/proposed-rules/ and make your comments regarding the proposed rules changes by the Railroad Commission. TSPS generally supports the proposed rule changes as they are a needed step in the right direction, however professional engineers should not be allowed to certify a boundary survey plat. TSPS will seek to have that portion of the rules removed. A large response by the TSPS membership may help guide these new rules in the right direction. TSPS is also preparing a response.
This could be a double edge sword if passed. The Texas Survey Board could go after any Engineer who signs anything with a boundary statement for practicing Surveying without a license, however if they start to look RRC Plats done by an Engineer they will also need to take a close look at the ones signed by a RPLS, and as pointed out in this tread some are not to the minimal standard of the board.
After looking at the link that Bill sent out, it seems to say that these plat requirements only apply to "unconventional fracture treated fields". So do I understand correctly that conventional vertical wells won't require the same standard?
I have no problem with well plats needing to meet minimum technical standards promulgated by the TBPLS. We do our work to be able to provide that level of product and it will put some teeth in enforcement against some of the slapdash crap that has been getting filed. Why wouldn't you want the boundaries correctly identified and the wells located the correct offsets from the boundaries?
My understanding is we have two options when we send out paperwork.
1 we sign and seal
2 we place the disclaimer about it being a preliminary survey
We can sign and seal anything that we are willing to take on the responsibility for within our field of "expertise".
I only sign something I surveyed. The seal has found its way to my invoice on a project long ago when EDMs came out and a farmer wanted to know how much area was in some fields and ponds...
I do not believe that the RRC would approve anything that had a "PRELIMINARY" stamp.
