The state’s new task force on petroleum theft conducted its first meeting last week in Austin.  Jim Wright, chair of the Railroad Commission of Texas, presided over the meeting Oct. 29 of the new group created in the recent 89th session of the Texas legislature.  Wright told task force members, “Your work in the coming year and wealth of knowledge will play a pivotal role in protecting our precious Texas natural resources.”  The group will study and make recommendations to help combat petroleum theft in Texas.

Discussion topics at last week’s meeting included strengthening collaboration between law enforcement and private operators, examining the impact of petroleum theft on state sales tax revenues, law enforcement training, and determining how to identify and align existing theft data gathered by law enforcement and regulatory agencies.

Forty percent of oil and gas operators told the commission that their operations have been impacted by theft in the past year.

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