New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 19 - NATURAL RESOURCES AND WILDLIFE
Chapter 15 - OIL AND GAS
Part 13 - COMPULSORY POOLING
Section 19.15.13.10 - PROPOSAL BY THE OPERATOR
Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 24, December 23, 2024
A. If the operator proposes an infill well, it shall notify each pooled working interest owner of the proposal by certified mail, return receipt requested, specifying the proposed well's location and depth and including a schedule of estimated well costs and a statement of each pooled working interest owner's gross working interest percentage.
B. Each pooled working interest owner may elect to participate in the proposed infill well by notice in writing to the operator within 30 days after the owner receives the proposal, provided that the election to participate shall not be effective unless the owner so electing pays to the operator the amount of the owner's share of estimated well costs within 30 days after the date of transmission of its notice of election to participate.
C. A pooled working interest owner not electing to participate in the proposed infill well shall be deemed to have elected to become a non-consenting owner with respect to the infill well. The operator shall withhold from the proceeds of the well's production accruing to the working interest of a non-consenting owner the non-consenting owner's share of costs, as defined in 19.15.13 NMAC, of the infill well, together with a risk charge computed at the same rate as provided in the pooling order with respect to the initial well. The operator shall distribute the amounts withheld from the non-consenting owner's share of production for well costs and risk charges proportionately to the persons who have advanced the infill well's cost.
D. Unless it withdraws the proposal the operator shall commence drilling of the proposed infill well no later than 120 days after the expiration of the initial notice period of 30 days. The director may extend the time for commencement of drilling once for not more than an additional 120 days, upon showing of good cause for the extension, without notice or hearing. If the operator has not commenced drilling within the time provided no election previously made shall be binding on a party. If the operator still desires to drill the infill well, it shall resubmit written notice proposing the well as if no prior proposal had been made.
