Regulatory Advisor - SWD Permitting & Compliance

Job Summary:

The Regulatory Advisor is responsible for various permitting and compliance functions across Western Midstream’s Southern Region, including SWD Permitting, Compliance, Organizational Reporting, and various other midstream regulatory functions. The successful candidate will be expected to lead the SWD permitting process while coordinating with various stakeholders, both internal and external.  

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 10 years of Midstream and/or E&P regulatory experience, focused on SWD Permitting and Compliance
• Thorough functional understanding of SWRs 9 and 46
• Extensive knowledge of the SWD Permitting process in Texas, including drill permitting, injection permitting, completions reporting, and hearings process
• Extensive knowledge of the RRC Permitting and Reporting systems, including RRC Online and Applications (LONESTAR, RAMP, CASES, PIPES, etc.)
• Extensive knowledge of RRC P-5 Organization Reports, including preparation and submission of annual renewals and new organizations
• Successful interactions (by phone and email) with RRC staff in various departments to achieve the Company’s deadlines and goals
• Desire to take on new and unfamiliar responsibilities, including new subject matters and regions
• Strong leadership and organizational skills, with the ability to direct and achieve priorities, goals, and strategies with limited supervision
• Effective written and verbal communication skills and the ability to appropriately target communication to the intended audience, ranging from leading compliance presentations for Operations and Management to interactions and meetings with a variety of Agency and Community stakeholders

Responsibilities:

Primary

• Lead all aspects of RRC SWD Permitting as it relates to the well planning and execution process, including:
  • Drill Permits and Groundwater Advisory Unit (GAU) Letters
  • UIC Injection Permits (SWR 9 & 46), including preparation of application packets with required documentation and notifications, timely response to RRC RAD letters, etc.
  • Timely submission of completions (W-2), H-5 tests, and other permit special condition requirements
  • Coordinate and support the technical team with contested applications, including facilitation of technical discussion with operators and/or landowners
• Oversee compliance and provide expertise on all aspects of the Company’s SWD planning, permitting, drilling and completions, and operations. This includes coordination with various internal and external stakeholders – land, geology, engineering, construction, operations, and other third-party resources.
• Organize data reporting to RRC and other Regulatory Agencies, including monthly and/or annual pressure and volume reporting, periodic H-5 Wellbore Integrity Testing, and Bottomhole Pressure Testing.
• Support Legal and Technical teams on protested applications, hearings, and other SWD-related legal proceedings and agreements. This includes appearing and testifying at RRC hearings, as required.
• Approve regulatory-assigned tasks in a workflow checklist designed for tracking the status of SWD wells, via a cloud-based process management tool.
• Represent the Company with various trade associations (e.g., TXOGA, PBPA, etc.) on topically relevant subject matter to advocate for positive legislative and regulatory outcomes relating to SWD permitting and operations.
• Prepare and submit RRC P-5 Organization Reports (annual renewals and new organizations) for seven active Organizations, including coordination with Risk Management for the Financial Assurance requirements (Performance Bonds), and obtaining the current officer listing from software maintained by Legal.

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Secondary

• Conduct internal training(s) as appropriate to educate stakeholders on new or emerging regulatory requirements, refresh compliance trainings with Operations counterparts
• Oversee Department purchasing card (Pcard) charges
• Support RRC Critical Infrastructure compliance, including:
• Support Pipeline Registrations (e.g., T-4)

 Education / Experience:

• Bachelor of Science degree in a technical field is strongly preferred, BS/BA degree in Business is acceptable
• 10+ years of relevant work experience relating to Midstream/E&P Regulatory Permitting and Compliance with focus on SWD Permitting and Compliance in Texas

Certifications / Licenses:

• N/A

Travel:
Up to 10%

Relocation:
This position may be eligible for domestic relocation

Work Schedule:
This position will work in the office Monday/Tuesday/Thursday (9 hours) and remotely Wednesday (9hrs) and Friday (4 hours)