How to file a P-18 in LoneSTAR, step by step
To file a P-18, submit the monthly Skim Oil/Condensate Report through the RRC LoneSTAR portal: sign in, have your Delegated Administrator grant P-18 filing rights, complete the pre-populated report, reconcile the fluids, and submit it by the 15th of the month following the reporting period. LoneSTAR then generates a print-ready PDF.
Filing the P-18 online in LoneSTAR
Since 2025 the Commission accepts the monthly P-18 electronically through LoneSTAR, the RRC online filing system. The portal pre-populates location, facility, and lease details to reduce data entry, and generates a print-friendly PDF once the report is submitted.
- Access LoneSTAR and set a Delegated AdministratorEach company designates at least one Delegated Administrator to manage its LoneSTAR authenticated users. The administrator creates users, resets passwords, and controls access.
- Assign P-18 filing rightsThe Delegated Administrator assigns P-18 filing rights to the people who will prepare and submit the report, so the right users can open and file it.
- Open the P-18 form and choose the report typeLoneSTAR supports five P-18 report types: Initial, Monthly, Corrected, Final, and Consolidated (consolidated filings require RRC pre-approval and apply only to interconnected disposal networks). Review the pre-populated location, facility, and lease information for accuracy.
- Enter and reconcile your volumesEnter water received, skim oil or condensate recovered, and the volume disposed. Reconcile the fluid balance so the numbers tie out to the barrel before you submit.
- Submit and keep the generated PDFSubmit the report; LoneSTAR generates a print-ready PDF. Keep it with your records, and send any required skim allocation letters. Transferred skim requires an approved oil movement letter from the district office attached to the submission.
Paper filing ends September 1, 2026
Hardcopy P-18s are only accepted through August 2026. Effective September 1, 2026, the Commission no longer accepts paper P-18s; the monthly report must be filed electronically through LoneSTAR. One exception remains: corrections to reports originally filed in the legacy system before LoneSTAR cannot be corrected online and must still be submitted on paper to the Production Audit Department.
Common filing mistakes to avoid
- Submitting a fluid balance that does not reconcile to the barrel
- Missing the 15th-of-the-month deadline and stacking penalties
- Filing an outdated form version (current versions have been required since May 1, 2024)
- Leaving recovered hydrocarbons without source documentation
Frequently asked
What is a LoneSTAR Delegated Administrator?
Each company using LoneSTAR designates at least one Delegated Administrator to manage its authenticated users, including creating users, resetting passwords, and assigning filing rights such as P-18 access.
Can someone file the P-18 for me?
Yes. On your sign-off, a compliance firm can prepare and submit the P-18 through LoneSTAR on your behalf. You send the monthly volumes, the filing is reconciled and prepared, and you approve it before submission.
When is the P-18 due?
The P-18 is due by the 15th of the month following the reporting period, filed through LoneSTAR. Paper filings are only accepted through August 2026.
What if a filing is stuck in error or needs amending?
A draft with outstanding errors cannot be submitted, and a submitted report can be returned by the Commission for correction. Either way it can be worked directly with RRC staff: clear the errors, file a Corrected report, and bring the account back to clean. It matters more than it looks, because the next monthly P-18 cannot be started until the previous submission is approved.
Official sources
Emergent Environmental is not affiliated with the Railroad Commission of Texas. This guide is informational; the official P-18 instructions are authoritative.
Let us file it for you
You send the data, we handle the rest, reconciled to the barrel and filed by the 15th. Start with a free review of your trailing P-18 filings.