Mick Thomas

Division Administrator – Minerals, Navigable Waters, and Oil & Gas

Secretary to the Oil & Gas Conservation Commission

This update was sent to the Commission on Friday, August 12, 2022.

August 2022 Secretary Update

Current Items:
August OGCC Regular Meeting
Monthly Production and Sales for May 2022/Revisions
Docket No. CC-2022-OGR-01-001, Application for Integration
Injection Well Update
Field Status
News Article(s) of Interest
Current Prices

August OGCC Regular Meeting
The next regularly scheduled OGCC meeting is Tuesday, August 16, 2022 @ 1:30pm (MT). More information can be found on the Commission Meetings webpage of the OGCC website.

Monthly Production and Sales for May 2022/Revisions
The May 2022 monthly report is now available. Also, revisions to the Monthly Reports from November 2021 through April 2022 are now posted on the Monthly Reports page. Please see the Monthly and Annual Reports page for more information. June 2022 reports are due to the state by August 15, 2022 (first business day after a weekend due date). Production data for the Fallon 1-11 will also be released this month.

Docket No. CC-2022-OGR-01-001, Application for Integration
The Department received an Application for Integration from Snake River Oil & Gas, LLC on July 22, 2022. The Department has scheduled the hearing to determine “just and reasonable” factors for September 8, 2022. More information for this application and hearing can be found on the Docket No. CC-2022-OGR-01-001 hearing webpage.

Injection Well Update
The Department contacted EPA Region 10 on August 3rd regarding the status of the Class II Injection Well Application and Aquifer Exemption Recommended Decision. Our understanding is that they have completed their evaluation and responses to the comments received before the March 30, 2022 deadline and are working with the national office in Washington, DC to work towards a final decision.

Field Status
The Department received an Application for Permit to Drill (APD) from Snake River Oil and Gas for the proposed Irvin #1-19 on July 29, 2022. The 5500 PTD vertical test is located in Section 19, Township 8 North, Range 4 West in Payette County. The 640-acre unit was integrated under Order Number CC-2016-OGR-01-002. Public comments will be accepted until 5:00 PM Monday, August 22, 2022.

On August 4th, Chairman Coppersmith and Commissioner Riebe toured well and production facilities operated by Snake River Oil and Gas in Payette County. The tour included stops at:
• Active, shut-in, and reclaimed well sites
• The Little Willow Gathering Facility
• The Highway 30 Processing Facility
• Snake River Oil & Gas’s business office in New Plymouth
Both Snake River Oil & Gas and IDL staff were in attendance and available to answer questions from both commissioners regarding field operations.

News Article(s) of Interest
Eastern Wyoming one billion barrel oil discovery
https://www.oklahomaminerals.com/wyoming-million-barrel-oil-discovery

Clean energy infrastructure – fueled globally by fossil fuels – may slow due to cost of oil
https://www.mining.com/green-energy-development-affected-by-rise-in-oil-metal-prices-study/ 

Hydrogen for fuel is expected to grow 51% by 2031 with a U.S. value of $135 Billion. Idaho National Lab is working with Bloom Energy to produce green hydrogen at a record setting pace
Idaho National Lab and Bloom Energy Produce Hydrogen at Record-Setting Efficiencies | Business Wire

Current Prices

Natural Gas (EIA)	$7.89 MMBtu.	08/10/22	(40.1% / $2.26 increase since last month)
NGL (EIA)	$10.90 MMBtu.	08/10/22	(4.9% / $0.56 decrease since last month)
Utah Sweet Crude	$84.54 bbl.	08/11/22	(9.0% / $8.39 decrease since last month)
WTI	$94.87 bbl.	08/11/22	(12.3% / $12.91 decrease since last month)