OCD Permitting

PRELIMINARY DOCKET: Special Examiner's Hearing set for July 15, 2025

For hearings by affidavit: presenting parties are required to submit a pre-hearing statement no later than the Thursday before the hearing. The pre-hearing statement shall include: 1) a list of disputed facts and issues; 2) identification of witnesses and their qualifications; and 3) all exhibits and written testimony a party intends to enter into evidence at the hearing and a full narrative for each.

For contested matters: pre-hearing statements shall be filed no later than 9:00 a.m., 4 business days prior to the hearing and in addition to the requirements of 19.15.4.13.B(1) NMAC, shall include: all evidentiary exhibits, documents, affidavits, and full-written testimony of any witness a party offers at the hearing. Exhibits must be sequentially marked on every page.

Failure to timely file a complete pre-hearing statement may cause the Hearing Examiner to continue the hearing and/or impose sanctions up to and including the exclusion of late-filed evidence. Evidentiary objections must be filed no later than 48 hours before the hearing. Rulings on the objections will be addressed as a preliminary matter when the case is called.

If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in a hearing, contact Freya.Tschantz@emnrd.nm.gov, or the New Mexico Relay Network at 1-800-659-1779, no later than 10 days prior to the hearing.

NOTICE: The hearing examiner may call the following cases in any order at their discretion.

Case No. Description
1. 25234 Application of Mewbourne Oil Company for Compulsory Pooling, Eddy County, New Mexico. Applicant applies for an order pooling all uncommitted interests in the Wolfcamp formation underlying a 1,121.12-acre, more or less, non-standard horizonal spacing unit comprised of all of Section 33 and the NW/4 and S/2 of Section 34, Township 21 South, Range 26 East, Eddy County, New Mexico (“Unit”). The Unit will be dedicated to the following wells (“Wells”): Buffalo Nickel 33/34 Fed Com #711H, which will be drilled from a surface hole location in the SE/4 NE/4 (Unit H) of Section 32 to a bottom hole location in the NE/4 NW/4 (Unit C) of Section 34; Buffalo Nickel 33/34 Fed Com #713H, which will be drilled from a surface hole location in the SE/4 NE/4 (Unit H) of Section 32 to a bottom hole location in the SE/4 NW/4 (Unit F) of Section 34; Buffalo Nickel 33/34 Fed Com #716H; which will be drilled from a surface hole location in the NE/4 SE/4 (Unit I) of Section 32 to a bottom hole location in the NE/4 SE/4 (Unit I) of Section 34; and Buffalo Nickel 33/34 Fed Com #718H, which will be drilled from a surface hole location in the NE/4 SE/4 (Unit I) of Section 32 to a bottom hole location in the SE/4 SE/4 (Unit P) of Section 34. The completed intervals of the Wells will be orthodox. Applicant is seeking approval of the non-standard spacing unit through the Division’s administrative process. Also to be considered will be the cost of drilling and completing the Wells and the allocation of the costs, the designation of Applicant as the operator of the Wells, and a 200% charge for the risk involved in drilling and completing the Wells. The Wells are located less than one mile from northwest Carlsbad, New Mexico.
2. 25235 Application of Mewbourne Oil Company for Compulsory Pooling, Eddy County, New Mexico. Applicant applies for an order pooling all uncommitted interests in the Bone Spring formation underlying a 1,121.12-acre, more or less, non-standard horizonal spacing unit comprised of all of Section 33 and the NW/4 and S/2 of Section 34, Township 21 South, Range 26 East, Eddy County, New Mexico (“Unit”). The Unit will be dedicated to the following wells (“Wells”): Buffalo Nickel 33/34 Fed Com #525H, which will be drilled from a surface hole location in the NE/4 SE/4 (Unit I) of Section 32 to a bottom hole location in the NE/4 SE/4 (Unit I) of Section 34; and Buffalo Nickel 33/34 Fed Com #527H, which will be drilled from a surface hole location in the NE/4 SE/4 (Unit I) of Section 32 to a bottom hole location in the SE/4 SE/4 (Unit P) of Section 34. The completed intervals of the Wells will be orthodox. Applicant is seeking approval of the non-standard spacing unit through the Division’s administrative process. Also to be considered will be the cost of drilling and completing the Wells and the allocation of the costs, the designation of Applicant as the operator of the Wells, and a 200% charge for the risk involved in drilling and completing the Wells. The Wells are located approximately one mile northwest of Carlsbad, New Mexico.
3. 25288 Application of Mewbourne Oil Company for Compulsory Pooling, Lea County, New Mexico. Applicant in the above-styled cause seeks an order an order pooling a non-standard 1,920-acre, more or less, horizontal well spacing unit in the Bone Spring formation underlying All of Sections 8, 17, and 20, Township 19 South, Range 36 East, NMPM, Lea County, New Mexico. This spacing unit will be initially dedicated to the proposed High Sea 8/20 Fed Com #522H well, with a surface location in the SW/4 SE/4 (Unit O) of Section 5 and a bottom hole location in the SW/4 SW/4 (Unit M) of Section 20; High Sea 8/20 Fed Com #524H well, with a surface location in the SW/4 SE/4 (Unit O) of Section 5 and a bottom hole location in the SE/4 SW/4 (Unit N) of Section 20; High Sea 8/20 Fed Com #526H well, with a surface location in the SW/4 SE/4 (Unit O) of Section 5 and a bottom hole location in the SW/4 SE/4 (Unit O) of Section 20; and High Sea 8/20 Fed Com #528H well, with a surface location in the SW/4 SE/4 (Unit O) of Section 5 and a bottom hole location in the SE/4 SE/4 (Unit P) of Section 20. Also to be considered will be the cost of drilling and completing the wells and the allocation of the costs thereof, the operating costs and charges for supervision, the designation of applicant as operator of the proposed spacing unit, and a 200% charge for risk involved in drilling said wells. The subject area is located approximately 14 miles west of Hobbs, New Mexico.
4. 25409 Application of MRC Permian Company for Approval of a 983.65-acre Non-Standard Horizontal Well Spacing Unit Compulsory Pooling, Lea County, New Mexico. Applicant in the above-styled cause seeks an order (1) approving a 983.65-acre, more or less, non-standard horizontal well spacing unit in the Pennsylvanian formation underlying the W/2 of Sections 26 and 35, Township 15 South, Range 36 East, and Lots 3-6 and 11-14 (NW/4 equivalent) of Section 5, Township 16 South, Range 37 East, NMPM, Lea County, New Mexico; and (2) pooling all uncommitted mineral owners in this acreage. Said non-standard unit will be initially dedicated to the proposed Steve Ruschell State Com #241H well, with a surface location in the SW/4 SW/4 (Unit M) of Section 23, T15S-R36E, a first take point in the NW/4 NW/4 (Unit D) of Section 26, T15S-R36E, and a last take point in Lot 13 of Section 5, T16S-R37E, as well as the Steve Ruschell State Com #242H well, with a surface location in the SW/4 SW/4 (Unit M) of Section 23, T15S-R36E a first take point in the NE/4 NW/4 (Unit C) of Section 26, T15S-R36E, and a last take point in Lot 14 of Section 5, T16S-R37E. Also to be considered will be the cost of drilling and completing the wells and the allocation of the cost thereof, actual operating costs and charges for supervision, designation of Matador Production Company as operator of the wells, and a 200% charge for risk involved in drilling the wells. The subject area is located approximately 4.5 miles northeast of Lovington, New Mexico.
5. 25347 Application of Avant Operating II, LLC for approval of a non-standard spacing unit and compulsory pooling, Lea County, New Mexico. Applicant seeks an order from the Division approving a non-standard 560-acre, more or less, Wolfcamp horizontal spacing unit and pooling all uncommitted interests in the E/2 of Section 22 and the NE/4 and N/2SE/4 of Section 27, Township 20 South, Range 32 East, N.M.P.M., Lea County, New Mexico, in the Salt Lake; Wolfcamp pool (Pool code 53570). This spacing unit will be dedicated to the following wells: the Thai Curry 22-27 Fed Com #701H, Thai Curry 22-27 Fed Com #721H, Thai Curry 22-27 Fed Com #722H, Thai Curry 22-27 Fed Com #801H, and Thai Curry 22-27 Fed Com #802H wells with proposed surface hole locations in the NE/4 NE/4 (Unit A) of Section 22, and proposed last take points in the NE/4 SE/4 (Unit I) of Section 27; and the Thai Curry 22-27 Fed Com #702H, Thai Curry 22-27 Fed Com #723H, and Thai Curry 22-27 Fed Com #803H wells with proposed surface hole locations in the N/4 NE/4 (Unit A) of Section 22, and proposed last take points in the NW/4 SE/4 (Unit J) of Section 27. The wells will be drilled at orthodox locations. Also to be considered will be the cost of drilling and completing said wells, the allocation of these costs as well as the actual operating costs and charges for supervision, designation of Avant Operating II, LLC as operator of the wells, and a 200% charge for risk involved in drilling said wells. Said area is located approximately 36 miles southwest of Hobbs, New Mexico.
6. 25348 Application of Avant Operating II, LLC for approval of a non-standard spacing unit and compulsory pooling, Lea County, New Mexico. Applicant seeks an order from the Division approving a non-standard 560-acre, more or less, Bone Spring horizontal spacing unit and pooling all uncommitted interests in the E/2 of Section 22 and the NE/4 and N/2SE/4 of Section 27, Township 20 South, Range 32 East, N.M.P.M., Lea County, New Mexico in the Salt Lake; Bone Spring pool (Pool code 53560). This spacing unit will be dedicated to the following wells: Thai Curry 22-27 Fed Com #301H, Thai Curry 22-27 Fed Com #302H, Thai Curry 22-27 Fed Com #401H, Thai Curry 22-27 Fed Com #501H, Thai Curry 22-27 Fed Com #502H, Thai Curry 22-27 Fed Com #601H, and Thai Curry 22-27 Fed Com #602H wells with proposed surface hole locations in the NE/4 NE/4 (Unit A) of Section 22, and proposed last take points in the NE/4 SE/4 (Unit I) of Section 27; and the Thai Curry 22-27 Fed Com #303H, Thai Curry 22-27 Fed Com #402H, Thai Curry 22-27 Fed Com #503H, and Thai Curry 22-27 Fed Com #603H wells with proposed surface hole locations in the N/4 NE/4 (Unit A) of Section 22, and proposed last take points in the NW/4 SE/4 (Unit J) of Section 27. The wells will be drilled at orthodox locations. Also to be considered will be the cost of drilling and completing said wells, the allocation of these costs as well as the actual operating costs and charges for supervision, designation of Avant Operating II, LLC as operator of the wells, and a 200% charge for risk involved in drilling said wells. Said area is located approximately 36 miles southwest of Hobbs, New Mexico.
7. 25413 Application of Lea Midstream, LLC for Authorization to Inject, Lea County, New Mexico. Applicant in the above-styled cause seeks an order authorizing injection of treated acid gas (“TAG”) from its Lea Midstream treating facility for purposes of disposal into the proposed White Russian AGI #1 well to be located in Section 17, Township 19 South, Range 35 East, Lea County, New Mexico. The well is proposed be drilled as a deviated well with a surface location of approximately 1,607 feet from the south line (FSL) and approximately 1,991 feet from the west line (FWL) of Section 17, to a bottom hole location at approximately 2,338 from the north line (FNL) and 188 feet FWL in said Section 17, within Township 19 South, Range 35 East, Lea County, New Mexico. The injection stream will consist of TAG comprised of approximately 70 percent carbon dioxide and 30 percent hydrogen sulfide from oil and gas wells in the area. Lea Midstream seeks approval to inject up to 12 MMSCFD of TAG. The proposed maximum allowable operating pressure requested is approximately 4,593 psig. The injection will target the Siluro-Devonian formations, including the Devonian, Wristen, and Fusselman formations, between depths of approximately 14,615 to 16,029 feet. The subject well will be located approximately 20 miles southwest of Hobbs, N.M.
8. 25388 Application of MRC Permian Company for Compulsory Pooling, Lea County, New Mexico. Applicant in the above-styled cause seeks an order pooling a standard 480-acre, more or less, horizontal well spacing unit in the Pennsylvanian formation underlying the W/2 W/2 of Sections 11, 14, and 23, Township 15 South, Range 36 East, NMPM, Lea County, New Mexico. Said unit will be initially dedicated to the proposed Ed Drake Fed Com #241H well, with a surface location in the SW/4 SW/4 (Unit M) of Section 23, a first take point in the SW/4 SW/4 (Unit M) of Section 23, and a last take point in the NW/4 NW/4 (Unit D) of Section 11. Also to be considered will be the cost of drilling and completing the well and the allocation of the cost thereof, actual operating costs and charges for supervision, designation of Matador Production Company as operator of the well, and a 200% charge for risk involved in drilling the well. The subject area is located approximately 6.5 miles northeast of Lovington, New Mexico.
9. 25390 Application of MRC Permian Company for Compulsory Pooling, Lea County, New Mexico. Applicant in the above-styled cause seeks an order pooling a standard 480-acre, more or less, horizontal well spacing unit in the Pennsylvanian formation underlying the E/2 W/2 of Sections 11, 14, and 23, Township 15 South, Range 36 East, NMPM, Lea County, New Mexico. Said unit will be initially dedicated to the proposed Ed Drake Fed Com #242H well, with a surface location in the SW/4 SW/4 (Unit M) of Section 23, a first take point in the SE/4 NW/4 (Unit N) of Section 23, and a last take point in the NE/4 NW/4 (Unit C) of Section 11. Also to be considered will be the cost of drilling and completing the well and the allocation of the cost thereof, actual operating costs and charges for supervision, designation of Matador Production Company as operator of the well, and a 200% charge for risk involved in drilling the well. The subject area is located approximately 6.5 miles northeast of Lovington, New Mexico.
10. 25391 Application of MRC Permian Company for Compulsory Pooling, Lea County, New Mexico. Applicant in the above-styled cause seeks an order pooling a standard 480-acre, more or less, horizontal well spacing unit in the Pennsylvanian formation underlying the W/2 E/2 of Sections 11, 14, and 23, Township 15 South, Range 36 East, NMPM, Lea County, New Mexico. Said unit will be initially dedicated to the proposed Ed Drake Fed Com #243H well, with a surface location in the SE/4 SE/4 (Unit P) of Section 23, a first take point in the SW/4 SE/4 (Unit O) of Section 23, and a last take point in the NW/4 NE/4 (Unit B) of Section 11. Also to be considered will be the cost of drilling and completing the well and the allocation of the cost thereof, actual operating costs and charges for supervision, designation of Matador Production Company as operator of the well, and a 200% charge for risk involved in drilling the well. The subject area is located approximately 7 miles northeast of Lovington, New Mexico.
11. 25393 Application of MRC Permian Company for Compulsory Pooling, Lea County, New Mexico. Applicant in the above-styled cause seeks an order pooling a standard 480-acre, more or less, horizontal well spacing unit in the Pennsylvanian formation underlying the E/2 E/2 of Sections 11, 14, and 23, Township 15 South, Range 36 East, NMPM, Lea County, New Mexico. Said unit will be initially dedicated to the proposed Ed Drake Fed Com #244H well, with a surface location in the SE/4 SE/4 (Unit P) of Section 23, a first take point in the SE/4 SE/4 (Unit P) of Section 23, and a last take point in the NE/4 NE/4 (Unit A) of Section 11. Also to be considered will be the cost of drilling and completing the well and the allocation of the cost thereof, actual operating costs and charges for supervision, designation of Matador Production Company as operator of the well, and a 200% charge for risk involved in drilling the well. The subject area is located approximately 7 miles northeast of Lovington, New Mexico.
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