N.M. Admin. Code § 19.15.15.13 - Unorthodox Locations
A. Well
locations within a secondary recovery, tertiary recovery or pressure
maintenance project for producing wells or injection wells that are unorthodox
based on 19.15.15.9 NMAC's requirements and
are necessary for an efficient production and injection pattern are authorized,
provided that the unorthodox location within the project is no closer than the
required minimum distance to the outer boundary of the lease or unitized area,
and no closer than 10 feet to a quarter-quarter section line or subdivision
inner boundary. These locations only require such prior approvals as are
necessary for an orthodox location.
B. The director may grant an exception to the
well location requirements of
19.15.15.9 NMAC,
19.15.15.10 NMAC and
19.15.16.15 NMAC or special pool
orders after notice and opportunity for hearing when the exception is necessary
to prevent waste or protect correlative rights.
C. The operator shall submit applications for
administrative approval pursuant to Subsection B of
19.15.15.13 NMAC to the division's
Santa Fe office accompanied by a plat showing the spacing unit, the proposed
unorthodox well location and the adjoining spacing units and wells; a list of
affected persons entitled to notice pursuant to Paragraph (2) of Subsection A
of 19.15.4.12 NMAC; and information
evidencing the need for the exception. The division shall give notice as
required in
19.15.4.9 NMAC and the operator
shall give notice as required by Paragraph (2) of Subsection A of
19.15.4.12 NMAC.
D. The applicant shall submit a statement
attesting that the applicant, on or before the date that the applicant
submitted the application to the division, sent notification to the affected
persons by furnishing a copy of the application, including a copy of the plat
described in Subsection C of
19.15.15.13 NMAC, by certified
mail, return receipt requested, advising them that if they have an objection
they shall file it in writing with the division within 20 days from the date
the division receives the application. The director may approve the unorthodox
location upon receipt of waivers from all the affected persons or if no
affected person has filed an objection within the 20-day period.
E. The director may set for hearing an
application for administrative approval of an unorthodox location.
F. Whenever the division approves an
unorthodox location, it may order any action necessary to offset an advantage
of the unorthodox location.
Notes
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