Access to the Texas Old Production Data (pre-1970 data) via the DI website is exclusively available to charter members of the Texas Old Production Data Initiative. Charter Members can search scanned images of the Texas Railroad Commission’s (TRRC) production ledgers using an indexing system similar to that used by the TRRC. Historic Production Information may be queried by searching district, field, or completion date. While old production data can be searched using a broad range of search criteria, it is recommended that when searching the scanned images for historic production information that users enter as much information as possible.
When querying the Texas Old Production Data Index users must enter a district and choose between searching either the oil or gas records. It is strongly recommended that users enter a field and search dates (optional search criteria). Users may also search by the TRRC production ledger roll number if it is known. Depending upon the search criteria entered, queries will return indices of all relevant roll numbers. To locate the desired scanned images simply click on the roll number and the ODI roll display will appear.
The ODI roll display directs users to the images they seek. The directory lists the roll number, current page number, and total of pages scanned per roll. To facilitate the search a variety of tools have been provided. Users may skip to the next/previous visible image by clicking on the corresponding icon. If the image is known or can be estimated the image number can be entered into the “go to image” box located in the upper left corner. The quickest way to search is the binary search capability located in middle portion of the screen directly above the image. The binary search directs users to the mid-point with each click. For example, the first click forward would direct users to mid-point of the roll. The second click would the direct users to halfway between the midpoint of the roll and either the beginning or end depending upon which direction had been chosen. Hypothetically, if the roll contained 1000 images, the first click would take the user to image number 500. While the second click would bring users to either image number 250 or 750. By repeating this process users can quickly locate production for the field or lease they seek.
Once the information has been located, users can return to index of rolls by clicking on the “View Search Results” icon. At this point a new roll can be searched using the same mechanisms described in the previous paragraph. To perform a completely new search, users can simply click on the “Reset Search” icon, which directs them back to original search page.
All images may be printed. Furthermore, if the image is difficult to view, users can simply click on the “Enlarge” icon to enhance the size of the image. Please be advised that often the TRRC has placed more than one district’s production ledgers on the same roll. As a result some fields may appear to be out of alphabetical order when in fact they are correct.