James Thum, Oil and Gas Program Manager

This update was sent to the Commission on Friday, March 8, 2024.

March 2024 Secretary Update

Current Items:

IDAPA 20.07.02 Rulemaking Update
2023 Fourth Quarter Commission Report
BLM Updates to Fluid Mineral Leasing Process
Injection Well Update
Field Status
News Article(s) of Interest
Current Prices

IDAPA 20.07.02 Rulemaking Update
The webpage for IDAPA 20.07.02, Rules Governing Conservation of Oil and Natural Gas in the State of Idaho has been published and can be found here: https://ogcc.idaho.gov/rulemaking/docket-20-0702-2401-oil-gas/ . The Notice of Intent to Promulgate Rules will be published in the April Administrative Bulletin. A link to the notice will be added to the rulemaking page after it is published.

2023 Fourth Quarter Commission Report
The 2023 Fourth Quarter Commission Report is included as an attachment to the Secretary Update. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions.

BLM Updates to Fluid Mineral Leasing Process
The public comment period for the BLM’s proposed revisions to the Onshore Oil and Gas Leasing Rule closed September 22, 2023. The BLM continues to analyze and review comments submitted before the September deadline and is expected to issue a final rule in the spring of 2024.

Injection Well Update
The Class II injection well permit issued by the EPA took effect December 19, 2022. No construction activities have commenced as of this date. The permit expires December 19, 2024.

Field Status
Operations on the Kauffman #1-9 well in Willow Field, Payette County to re-establish production with a more robust gas lift procedure commenced February 28, 2024. If production cannot be established, the well has a plugging deadline of May 1, 2024.

On February 22, 2024, the request to extend the inactive status of the ML Investments #1-11 well in Willow Field, Payette County was granted by the Department until December 19, 2024. The extension was granted to coincide with the permit expiration for the DJS Properties #2-14 Class II permit, since the EPA has designated the ML #1-11 for use as an observation/monitoring well for injection operations.

Snake River submitted a Sundry Notice and procedure March 4, 2024 for plugging the Kauffman #1-34 well in Willow Field. This well has only produced sporadically since late-2018. The Department approved the plugging procedure March 4, 2024.

News Article(s) of Interest
Northern Minnesota helium discovery may be North America’s largest

Reduced refinery activity puts upward pressure on gasoline and diesel prices

Natural gas prices surge after EQT announcement

Current Prices

NW Natural Gas (EIA)	$1.75 MMBtu	3/6/2024	(20% / $0.45 decrease since previous month)
NGL (EIA)	$6.63 MMBtu	3/6/2024	(2% / $0.10 increase since previous month)
WTI	$76.67 bbl	3/6/2024	(3.2% / $2.44 increase since previous month)

Don’t forget to turn your clocks forward one hour at 2:00 AM Sunday March 10th.