The Threat to Otero Mesa: Oil & Gas Development
Instead, they offered a new alternative that would open much
of the fragile grasslands in Otero Mesa to a roving 5% drilling
scheme. This bait and switch tactic, reminiscent of actions recently
taken with Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is designed
to convince the general public that small amounts of land would
be impacted. But in the Greater Otero Mesa Area hundreds of leases
may be realized, drilling could occur in a critical 116,000-acre
stretch 5% at a time. Once the companies make an attempt at reclamation,
they can then proceed to the next 5%. Sadly, little science is
available that speaks to reclamation success in the dry harsh
climate of the Chihuanuan Desert. Even less scientific study answers
the question of what effect fragmentation will have on the many
species that call this land home. Outside of the 116,000-acre
grassland unit, drilling could proceed with little or no stipulations.
In late February, the BLM Resource Advisory Council (RAC) held
hearings to better understand the BLM's decision and hear from
the effected parties. It was clear that both industry and the
conservation community were not happy with the decision. Steve
Yates of HEYCO, expressed frustration that any limits were being
placed on development. Mr. Yates was also quick to say that directional
drilling was not an option due to cost, geology and the inability
to find targets as a result of the 5% regulation. The BLM Resource
Advisory Council voted for changing the final alternative and
trying to find a compromise.
This past January during the last New Mexico State Legislature
session, State Senator Terry Marquardt of Alamogordo, introduced
House Bill 437, that would have the state appropriate $50,000
to study the feasibility of building at state expense, a gas fired
power plant in the Greater Otero Mesa Area. This despite the fact
that Duke Energy is currently building 4 new power plants in New
Mexico, with 3 more in the planning stages. New Mexico currently
enjoys a glut of power and if the 7 plants already under construction
or planning were built, New Mexico would enjoy over 2,200 megawatt
of excess power by the year 2007. Making construction of another
power plant at taxpayer expense frankly irresponsible.
Two natural gas wells have been drilled in the Greater Otero
Mesa Area. One well has produced 4.4 million cubic feet per day.
By industry standards this is a commercial success. They were
however forced to drill down to 7100 feet in order to reach the
Orogrande Basin.
Yates continues to say that directional drilling is not an option
due to cost, geology and the inability to find real targets because
of potential no-surface occupancy regulations.
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