New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 19 - NATURAL RESOURCES AND WILDLIFE
Chapter 14 - GEOTHERMAL POWER
Part 23 - WELL SPACING
Section 19.14.23.9 - ACREAGE AND WELL LOCATION REQUIREMENTS

A. Exploration wells. A well classified as an exploratory well shall be located on a designated drilling tract comprising at least 40 surface acres (being a quarter-quarter section of the U. S. public land surveys, or a projection thereof if on unsurveyed land) , and shall be located at least 330 feet from the outer boundary of the quarter-quarter section, at least 660 feet from the nearest such other well drilling to or capable of producing from or injection into the same formation to which it is projected, and at least 100 feet from any public road, street or highway dedicated prior to commencement of drilling.

B. Development wells. A well classified as a development well shall be located on a designated drilling tract comprising at least 10 surface acres (being a quarter-quarter-quarter section of the U.S. public land surveys or a projection thereof if on unsurveyed land), and shall be located at least 165 feet from the outer boundary of the quarter-quarter-quarter section, at least 330 feet from the nearest well drilling to or capable of production from or injection into the same geothermal reservoir to which it is projected, and at least 100 feet from any public road, street or highway dedicated prior to commencement of drilling.

C. Injection wells. Injection wells drilled for the purpose of injecting into a geothermal reservoir shall be located at least 330 feet from the outer boundary of the lease or drilling parcel and at least 100 feet from any public road, street or highway dedicated prior to commencement of drilling.

D. Disposal wells. There shall be no restriction as to the placement of geothermal disposal wells.

E. Thermal gradient wells and low-temperature thermal wells. There shall be no restriction as to the placement of thermal gradient wells or low-temperature thermal wells.