N.M. Admin. Code § 19.2.100.11 - RESTRICTED DISTRICTS - LEASING

A. All lands within a restricted district are classified as restricted lands and no tract of such lands shall be leased without being further categorized by the commissioner as either regular or premium based upon five factors: oil and gas trends; oil and gas traps; reservoir volume and recovery rating; lease bonus rating; and exploration and activity. A percentage of zero percent to twenty percent shall be allocated to each factor. In allocating percentages, the following procedures and criteria shall be used:

(1) Oil and gas trends, i.e., where depositional and structural conditions are favorable for accumulation of oil and gas, shall be determined as accurately as possible by the commissioner upon the advice of a qualified geologist using drilling patterns, geological society data, well records and logs, available seismic surface and subsurface geological information and structural maps;

(2) The likelihood of locating structural or stratographic oil and gas traps necessary for the accumulation of oil or gas in commercial quantities shall be determined by the commissioner upon the advice of a qualified geologist and a petroleum engineer based upon available seismic and geological data;

(3) Reservoir volume and recovery rating shall be determined considering the nearest known reservoir conditions which may be reasonably assumed to be applicable. Known porosity, permeability, water saturation, pressures and recovery factors shall be included when available and shall be utilized by a qualified petroleum engineer in recommending a reservoir volume and recovery rating;

(4) Lease bonus rating shall be based upon all available recent leasing data which may be reasonably assumed to be applicable. In the absence of sufficient recent leasing data, drilling patterns, geological trends, available seismic data and known or reasonably assumed structural features may be considered in determining the lease bonus rating; and

(5) Exploration and drilling activity shall be determined considering all available information which may include drilling patterns, approved drilling permits, progress reports of drilling wells, workover notices and other information which may be reasonably assumed to be applicable.

B. If the total percentage of all factors for a tract of land is less than seventy-five percent, the tract shall be categorized as regular. If the total percentage of all factors for a tract of land is seventy-five percent or more, the tract shall be categorized as premium.

Notes

N.M. Admin. Code § 19.2.100.11

19.2.100.11 NMAC - Rn, SLO Rule 1, Section 1.004, 12/13/2002, Adopted by New Mexico Register, Volume XXVII, Issue 12, June 30, 2016, eff. 6/30/2016