A New Day at IPANM

 

 

information & issues

Welcome to IPANM’s Information & Issues webpage!

IPANM is not afraid to take strong stances on many current issues threatening our industry. We have to! Seemingly minor changes to regulations or rules can have a major impact on the financial solvency of our small oil & gas producers. While we will never compromise on our duties to protect human health, fresh water and the environment in our daily activities, we will fight unnecessary government overreach when new regulatory proposals are not based on sound science and do little to protect the environment.

Below, we’ve identified serious issues facing our producers. Please click on the corresponding button to learn more about each issue and IPANM’s stance on the issue. (Note: Some of this content may be restricted for members only. To access this exclusive content, please join our association!)

RECENT NEWS: All Issues

Navajo Nation (Nov. 16, 2021) -- The 24th Navajo Nation Council reaffirmed its opposition to the Biden Administration proposal of a
Santa Fe New Mexican (Nov. 16, 2021) - The Biden administration announced a much-awaited move toward barring federal oil and
IPANM (Nov. 15, 2021) -- In response to the Biden Administration's announcement of a new federal drilling ban around Chaco Canyon,
Santa Fe New Mexico (Nov. 14, 2021) -- House GOP Leader Jim Townsend says that a cleaner New Mexico economy
The Center Square (Nov. 10, 2021) – President Joe Biden’s nominee for the comptroller of the Currency, Saule Omarova, said she
FIMO (November 8, 2021) - The Federal Indian Minerals Office (FIMO) is conducting a Competitive Close bid oil and gas
Carlsbad Current Argus (November 3, 2021) - New federal controls on methane emissions from oil and gas operations were championed
IPANM (Nov. 1, 2021) - The first of the state's two Methane rules went into effect on May 25th, however,
IPANM (Oct. 29, 2021) -- Freshman New Mexico State Representative Ryan Lane (R - District 3 - San Juan County)
Pinon Post (October 28, 2021) - An extreme proposal that died in the 2021 Legislative Session is back for the

Navajo Nation (Nov. 16, 2021) — The 24th Navajo Nation Council reaffirmed its opposition to the Biden Administration proposal of a 20-year ban on oil and gas drilling within a 10-mile radius of the Chaco Cultural Heritage site in northwestern New Mexico on Tuesday.
“The Biden Administration bypasssed previous requests to Congress for field hearings and for leaders to hear directly from our Navajo families affected in the Chaco Canyon region.  The position of the Navajo Nation Council is for the creation of a 5-mile buffer within and around this sacred site,” said Navajo Spokesperson Seth Damon.

To see the Navajo Nation’s New Release, see link below.

Navajo Nation Reaffirms Opposition to 10-Mile Buffer at Chaco

Santa Fe New Mexican (Nov. 16, 2021) – The Biden administration announced a much-awaited move toward barring federal oil and gas leasing in a 10-mile zone around the Chaco Culture National Historical Park, stepping into a decades-long tug of war between the region’s economic interests and tribal heritage.

Fossil fuel industry groups called the buffer an unnecessary infringement. In an email, the head of the Independent Petroleum Association of New Mexico argued responsible oil and gas development posed no threats to the already protected sites.

“A 10-mile buffer is an overreach of federal authority, is arbitrary, and is not based in any science other than in political science,” wrote Jim Winchester, the group’s executive director.

Operators and mineral rights holders — including several Navajo allottees — have worked to reach a reasonable, science-based understanding about how to safeguard the sacred sites, Winchester wrote.

Biden moving to ban drilling around Chaco Canyon

IPANM (Nov. 15, 2021) — In response to the Biden Administration’s announcement of a new federal drilling ban around Chaco Canyon, IPANM releases the following statement:

“Chaco Canyon is a sacred treasure. Safe and responsible oil & gas development around Chaco does not pose threat to the already protected sites of the sacred Chaco National Historic Park. Operators and mineral rights holders, including several Navajo allottees, have repeatedly made efforts to reach a reasonable, science-based understanding about how to protect these sacred sites. A ten-mile buffer is an overreach of federal authority, is arbitrary, and is not based in any science other than in political science.

Combined with federal lease bans, permit bans, and other anti-oil & gas measures from this administration, it is clear the President and Interior Secretary want nothing more than to cut off billions of dollars that fund public education, public safety and public health measures in New Mexico.”

–Jim Winchester, IPANM Executive Director

 

For background, please see:

Santa Fe New Mexico (Nov. 14, 2021) — House GOP Leader Jim Townsend says that a cleaner New Mexico economy is a worthy goal, but warns that extreme Green policies are hurting New Mexicans instead of helping. In an opinion editorial published on Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, Rep. Townsend writes, “Whether it’s higher gasoline prices, costlier heating and cooling bills, and more expensive cars and trucks, those in charge are more than willing to force these higher prices on working families as the cost for being a “global leader” on climate change. These edicts have already proven to be detrimental to working families in European economies, and now we are supposed to sit by and allow one of the most impoverished states in the nation to carry the eco-left’s Green New Deal experiment.”

Carbon-free fairy tale doesn’t recognize reality

 

The Center Square (Nov. 10, 2021) – President Joe Biden’s nominee for the comptroller of the Currency, Saule Omarova, said she wants to bankrupt smaller players in the natural gas, oil and coal industries to help reverse climate change.

Omarova, a Cornell University law professor, said in a Jain Family Institute’s Social Wealth Seminar in February that “a lot of the smaller players in the oil and gas and coal industry will probably go bankrupt in the short order, or at least we want them to go bankrupt if we want to tackle climate change.”

Omarova’s nomination has been criticized by Republicans and business groups who say she is extreme, particularly when it comes to her views on the oil and gas industry.

Biden Nominee Wants to Bankrupt ‘Smaller’ U.S. Oil Producers

FIMO (November 8, 2021) – The Federal Indian Minerals Office (FIMO) is conducting a Competitive Close bid oil and gas lease sale for 40 Navajo Allotments. This sale is scheduled for December 6, 2021.  Bid packages are available for pick up at the FIMO office at 6251 College Blvd, Ste B in Farmington.  Bid packages are also available by request through email.  Please contact annette.ahill@bia.gov to obtain a bid package for the upcoming sale, or call the Farmington FIMO Office at (505) 564-7640.

Further contact information for this sale:

Annette Ahill
Realty Specialist
Federal Indian Minerals Office
6251 College Blvd, Ste B
Farmington, NM  87402
(505) 564-7651
annette.ahill@bia.gov

Further information available

 

Carlsbad Current Argus (November 3, 2021) – New federal controls on methane emissions from oil and gas operations were championed by environmental groups in New Mexico as needed, aggressive action to mitigate manmade pollution and induced climate change.  But, industry leaders said burdensome regulations could stymie American energy production and force the nation to rely on foreign sources such as from Russia or the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

EPA Oil & Gas Methane Rule Will Impact Small Producers

EPA Proposes New Source Performance

IPANM (Nov. 1, 2021) – The first of the state’s two Methane rules went into effect on May 25th, however, some new recordkeeping requirements kick-in over the next few months, and holdover Agreed Compliance Orders (ACOs) will need to be addressed by operators who filed for deadline extensions.

Due to the many different, new requirements for operators, IPANM will hold a New Mexico Oil Conservation Division Methane Rule Training Seminar on Wednesday morning, Nov. 10, 2021 beginning at 8:30 a.m. in Roswell at Daniels Leadership Center at New Mexico Military Institute.

IPANM will also hold a second, similar Training Seminar on Friday morning, Nov. 12, 2021 beginning at 8:30 a.m. in Farmington at Merrion Oil & Gas.

This will be a comprehensive seminar that should help small operators and compliance officers navigate the new OCD rules. To cover the costs of the seminar, IPANM will charge a $50 fee for members and $125 for non-members. Please click on the link below to register for this important seminar:

INFORMATION & REGISTRATION LINK

IPANM (Oct. 29, 2021) — Freshman New Mexico State Representative Ryan Lane (R – District 3 – San Juan County) of Aztec says the Oil & Gas industry exists to help improve life, and is encouraging all operators to take that message to the public. Lane made the comments during Friday’s San Juan Basin 100th Anniversary Energy Conference in Farmington at San Juan College. Lane’s poignant address challenged oil operators to change the narrative regarding the oil & gas industry.

“You are not the enemy of the poor and underserved. Instead, you are the ally of the poor and underserved. Natural gas is one of the cheapest ways to heat your home. That translates into more money for groceries and other basic necessities. You should be proud of that.”  — Rep. Ryan Lane (R)

At IPANM’s request, Rep. Lane has provided a copy of his remarks for all to read. Our thanks to Rep. Ryan Lane for his strong support of Oil & Gas in New Mexico.

Rep. Ryan Lane’s Oct. 29, 2021 Remarks