The Railroad Commission of Texas announced Aug. 31 that David Lindley has been named the new director of the agency’s Oil and Gas Division, the arm of the commission that oversees exploration and production activity across the state.
The appointment places Lindley at the head of one of the commission’s largest operations. According to the agency’s announcement, the division oversees Texas oil and natural gas exploration and production and enforces compliance with commission rules designed to protect public safety, conserve natural resources and prevent waste.
With 10 district offices across the state, the division’s core responsibilities include meeting permitting and reporting requirements, conducting field inspections and testing programs, monitoring industry activity in the field, and administering programs to remediate abandoned wells and sites, which are funded by fees and taxes paid by industry, the commission said.
Lindley most recently served as assistant director of field operations within the Oil and Gas Division, a role the commission said gave him a deep understanding of the agency’s operations and programs and of the work RRC employees perform each day. He holds a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering and brings nearly three decades of experience in oil and gas production, operations and engineering, with expertise across major U.S. oil and gas fields, according to the announcement.
As director, the commission said, Lindley will guide the division’s strategic direction and work closely with staff to strengthen operations, support employees and advance the agency’s mission. The commission described his knowledge of the division, combined with his background in regulatory compliance, leading field operations and overseeing complex projects, as invaluable to the agency in the new role.
The announcement did not specify a start date or name Lindley’s predecessor. The Railroad Commission of Texas, despite its name, is the state’s primary regulator of the oil and gas industry.