EMNRD receives $25 million federal grant for the second phase of its successful orphan wells plugging program

MEDIA ADVISORY:

CONTACT:

Sidney Hill

EMNRD Public Information Officer

sidney.hill@emnrd.nm.gov

EMNRD receives $25 million federal grant for the second phase of its successful orphan wells plugging program

The New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMRD) is excited to announce that we have received a new award of $25 million from the U.S. Department of Interior to launch the next phase of our successful orphan well plugging program.

EMNRD officials received word of this new round of funding on Thursday, while meeting with DOI Acting Deputy Secretary Laura Daniel-Davis in Albuquerque.

This funding from the Biden Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) has accelerated New Mexico’s efforts at addressing orphan well cleanup. EMNRD’s Oil Conservation Division received its first installment of BIL funding in October 2022. Some highlights from that phase of the program:

138 wells plugged, along with associated environmental cleanup on multiple sites.

Curbed methane emissions by over 158,000 kilograms per year.

Prevented release of 4,447 metric tons of carbon dioxide each year.

This all happened while oil and gas production in the state has continued to grow at a substantial pace. These results keep us in line with Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s goals of balancing economic growth with responsible natural resource development.

See the attached news release for more details on the OCD’s orphan wells program.

Sidney Hill

Public Information Officer

New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD)

Email: sidney.hill@emnrd.nm.gov

Phone: 505-629-2900