SUMMARY MINUTES

NMOGA SE New Mexico Public Lands
Committee Meeting
Artesia, NM
January 10, 2017

Leslie Garvis, Co-Chair opened the meeting and asked all to introduce themselves to the group.
Agenda items were discussed as follows:
BLM Updates:

CARLSBAD: Cody Layton, Ass’t. Field Manager for Minerals in the CFO
addressed each of the following issues.
APD/ROW Update – Last month 32 APDs were received and 62 were approved. Of those 62,
34 were in the old AFMSS system and 28 were in the new AFMSS II. In the old system there
are 152 projects being worked, with 109 of those being complete (all necessary information
received). There are also 43 which are incomplete (needing additional information). BLM will
look further and let Industry know where information is needed.
Submission of paper APDs is down, due to electronic submissions. BLM has been continuing to
work through the old APDs and the total backlog is now only 373, down from 800. Of these
373, 221 are AFMSS II submissions. AFMSS II does slow down the process and the CFO is
meeting weekly to prioritize wells to be worked on. It was stated that older submissions are not
being held up by those being submitted electronically.
It was asked if BLM feels that AFMSS is improving and now feel more confident. Cody
explained that Carlsbad is working with other areas as to what issues they are seeing. They
found that all are facing the same issues. The Washington Office (WO) has been made aware of
all the problems. A team comprised of WO personnel, the National Operations Center (NOC)
and staffs from other states will visit Carlsbad concerning these problems.
Many “bugs” have been worked on and further improvements are seen for the future.
STAFFING: The CFO is currently down 22 positions. The new administration may bring a
hiring freeze and if these are not able to be filled prior, they may be held up further. All
companies were asked to make the office aware of their future plans and to meet frequently with
the BLM.
It was stated that of the 22 positions, about 10 need to be interviewed and some are in the State
Office HR office. Positions have been prioritized by need. Some positions will “stop” if a
freeze does come. The State Office is working to assist, but there are also other needs
throughout the State.
FIELD OPERATIONS: CFO has been receiving many calls concerning lack of road
maintenance, cattle guard problems, livestock problems, fencing, etc.. BLM and Industry need
to work together to help the ranching community.

 BLM was asked to communicate these needs to Industry when issues are seen.
CFO RMP – It was explained that the Plan is still in the WO. It is hoped that by mid-February
it will get though the WO and that the draft will then be made available.
PLANNING 2.0 – The web site has changed somewhat. There are ways to access information
but it does need to be worked with to find this. It was asked if the directory would be put back
on and CFO is working with the State Office to try and achieve this.
ONSHORE ORDERS – Implementation is still planned for the 17th, but the FMP part is still
being worked on. A letter will be sent to operators regarding a delay in implementing this part.
It was asked if public meetings on site security submission were planned. None are planned, and
the State or individual offices may have to be doing the outreach. Assessments will go into
effect and will have implementation. Rule 3174 does not have as much of this. Immediate
assessments include seals and seals on lact systems. Frequencies of proving calibration on gas
meters will be an immediate assessment. If notified about difficulties in meeting deadlines,
BLM will work with companies. A cautious approach to implementation is encouraged.
RIGHTS-OF WAYS – There are 535 pending in Carlsbad. Each specialist has between 80 and
90. There has been an increase in submissions, 30-40 last month and expect 50 this month. It
was relayed that two realty specialists will be going to training in the next week, which will
cause delays.
There was a question about the timeframe for documents to be available concerning a local rightof-way policy on temporary surface lines. It was stated that this should be available by next
week, after discussing with the ranching community to see what impacts there might be.
It was suggested by Industry that the workgroup be kept ongoing so that priorities and needs can
be kept in the forefront.
ROSWELL: Ruben Sanchez, Ass’t. Field Manager for Minerals in the Roswell Field Office
(RDO) discussed the following:
APD/ROW UPDATE - Ruben explained that during the recent down-time RDO focused on
compliance issues. He stated that over 800 inspections will be done this year. Surface issues
will be addressed. Older wells with issues will be looked and it is planned to bring operators in
to look at these issues. RDO will work with operators to achieve best outcome, looking at the
big picture.
There has been an increase in pluggings - 28 wells as of October.
RFO is working on the July 2017 sale with CFO and has nominations on the list this year.
Acknowledging the epic workload in CFO, RFO has had an engineer helping with all aspects.
There has been an increase in Rights-of-ways, and are working to get these done before drilling
begins. RFO has only one Realty Specialist as of today and asked that if there are priorities in
RFO to let them know for prioritization.

 STAFFING – RDO has eight (8) vacancies throughout the four divisions. These include the
Ass’t. Field Manager for Resources and the Administrative Officer. A freeze could be for 90
days or more.
It was asked if the lease sale in July was on track and Ruben stated that the EA is done and all
should be on track with the timeframe. One analysis will be done for both offices. This should
be an online sale.
FISH AND WILDLIFE UPDATES – Ty Allen, Frank Weaver
Ty Allen, the now Ass’t. Field Manager, Resources in CFO introduced Frank Weaver, the new
Fish & Wildlife liaison for BLM. Frank is located in the Roswell Field Office. Ty explained
that Wally Murphy, the District Supervisor of the NM Ecological Services Division had retired
and that Susan Milsap has been selected for his vacant position.
The Energy Team still remains the same with Debra Hill, Frank and the position in Farmington
now filled.
LPC- Petition findings on November 30 found the species warranted, which opens up a review.
There should be a decision within 12 months.
TEXAS HORNSHELL - was proposed for listing in August 2016. Information is still being
gathered for an analysis
OCD UPDATES - Randy Bayliss addressed the group and explained he would like to meet
with all local offices within the next four weeks. He introduced a new geologist in the office,
Mr. Raymond Podany. Also, a new environmental person has been hired. Now have two on
staff. He is working to have a full staff. With an employee leaving to private industry recently,
he is working to have a full staff. This position will be advertised soon. After a personnel
review of offices, more positions are to be put in the field.
The year-end report indicates there were 21,000 inspections and 17,000 wells. One thousand
three hundred (1,300) letters of violations were issued. This number should go down.
There were 192 spills with 5,700 barrels spilled. Fifteen (15) lightning strikes caused spills. Of
these, 11were produced water.
There were no further questions.
STATE LAND OFFICE – Patrick Padilla introduced himself and asked if the group had any
questions and there were none.
NMED – Not in attendance
OTHER ISSUES – None
NEXT MEETING: April 11, 2017, 10:00 am, EOG Resources -Artesia