New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 19 - NATURAL RESOURCES AND WILDLIFE
Chapter 15 - OIL AND GAS
Part 39 - SPECIAL RULES
Section 19.15.39.11 - SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR A SELECTED AREA OF THE ROSWELL ARTESIAN BASIN

Universal Citation: 19 NM Admin Code 19.15.39.11

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 6, March 26, 2024

A. Designated area. The designated area shall comprise:

(1) the area within the following townships and ranges in Chaves county:
(a) township 5 south, ranges 22 and 23 east;

(b) township 6 south, ranges 22 east through 24 east;

(c) township 7 south, ranges 22 east through 24 east;

(d) township 8 south, ranges 21 east through 25 east;

(e) township 9 south, ranges 21 east through 25 east;

(f) township 91/2 south, range 24 east;

(g) township 10 south, ranges 21 east through 25 east;

(h) township 11 south, ranges 21 east through 26 east;

(i) township 12 south, ranges 21 east, 211/2 east, and 22 east through 26 east;

(j) township 13 south, ranges 21 east through 27 east;

(k) township 14 south, ranges 21 east through 27 east;

(l) township 15 south, ranges, 21 east through 27 east;

(m) township 18 south, range 20 east;

(n) township 19 south, range 20 east; and

(2) the area within the following townships and ranges in Eddy county:
(a) township 16 south, ranges 21 east and 23 east through 27 east;

(b) township 17 south, ranges 21 east and 23 east through 27 east;

(c) township 18 south, ranges 21 east and 23 east through 27 east;

(d) township 19 south, ranges 21 east and 23 east through 27 east;

(e) township 20 south, ranges 21 east and 23 east through 27 east;

(f) township 201/2 south, ranges 21 east through 23 east;

(g) township 21 south, ranges 22 east through 25 east;

(h) township 22 south, ranges 22 east through 24 east; and

(i) township 23 south, ranges 22 east and 23 east.

B. Applicability. All well drilling commenced after August 29, 2017 from surface locations within the designated area, or which will penetrate the designated area above the base of the San Andres formation, shall be permitted, drilled and operated in accordance with 19.15.39.11 NMAC.

C. Wells that penetrate the designated area. For wells that will penetrate the designated area defined in Subsection A of 19.15.39.11 NMAC, the operator shall include in the casing program at least the following.

(1) If a conductor pipe is used, it shall be adequately cemented in place to prevent drainage of fluids from the surface to shallow formations.

(2) The operator shall set a surface casing string, at a minimum, 50 feet below the base of the artesian aquifer, provided:
(a) in areas where the artesian aquifer is not present at depth, or if the well will not be drilled through the artesian aquifer, the hole shall be drilled to the first show of hydrocarbons on a mud log, and the surface casing set no more than 50 feet above the first show;

(b) in areas where the artesian aquifer is present, and the well will be drilled through the artesian aquifer, the operator shall determine the depth for setting of the surface casing string with the concurrence of the district supervisor of the division's Artesia district office; the operator, in its proposed casing program, shall identify the criteria utilized to locate the base of the artesian aquifer and the information supporting the criteria;

(c) the operator shall circulate to surface the cement for surface casing covering all aquifers;

(d) if the cement is not circulated to the surface, the operator shall furnish a cement bond log to the division's Artesia district office, and shall not proceed with drilling until the division approves the cementing;

(e) if the operator encounters significant loss of circulation during drilling within an aquifer, the operator shall immediately notify the division's Artesia district office;

(f) if the operator observes significant inflow of fresh water into the mud pit, the operator shall immediately notify the division's Artesia district office.

(3) If the well is equipped with an intermediate casing string, the operator shall circulate cement on the intermediate casing string to the surface. If the well is not equipped with an intermediate casing string, the operator shall circulate cement on the production casing string to the surface. If cement is not circulated to surface on the intermediate casing string or the production casing string, as applicable, the operator shall determine the cement top and report it to the division's Artesia district office.

D. District supervisor discretion. Notwithstanding Subsection C of 19.15.39.11 NMAC, the district supervisor of the division's Artesia district office may:

(1) require a modification of a casing program that provides for an additional water-protection casing string, if the district supervisor finds that the proposed casing program is not reasonably sufficient to prevent fluid movement into or out of the well bore from or to aquifers in the designated area; or

(2) approve a casing program that allows for the setting of the shoe for the water-protection casing string at a different depth than required in Paragraph (2) of Subsection C of 19.15.39.11 NMAC if the district supervisor finds, based on the information and data provided by the operator, that the proposed casing program will adequately protect all fresh water formations the well can reasonably be expected to encounter; and

(3) in either case, attach such conditions of approval as, in the district supervisor's judgment, are reasonably necessary to prevent such fluid movement.

E. Compliance with statewide rules.19.15.39.11 NMAC shall not be construed to relieve the operator of any well from the obligation to comply with any applicable statewide rules, including, but not limited to 19.15.16.9, 19.15.16.10 and 19.15.16.11 NMAC.

F. Transitional provisions. Any APD for a proposed well within the designated area that was previously approved and suspended by emergency order of the division shall be reinstated if it meets the requirements of 19.15.39.11 NMAC. Any operator may amend any such APD within one year after the effective date of 19.15.39.11 NMAC to comply with 19.15.39.11 NMAC. If the division reinstates or approves as amended a previously suspended APD, the APD shall continue in force for two years from the date of original approval, plus the number of days that such APD was suspended.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. New Mexico may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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