New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department

The public meeting agenda included several items for discussion and possible action. These involved Case No. 25603, an application by Matador Production Company for a de novo hearing regarding compulsory pooling in Eddy County, with a scheduled Final Status Conference to discuss hearing scheduling. Case No. 24683 concerned an Application for Rulemaking to amend several NMAC sections, with a Status Conference set to discuss rescheduling deliberations. Multiple cases (25694, 25695, 25696, and 25700) related to applications by American Energy Resources and Lillie and Warren Anderson for de novo hearings concerning compulsory pooling in the Wolfcamp and Bone Spring formations in Eddy County, with the matters set for the Commission's Decision and Order on motions. Finally, Case No. 25875 involved an application by the Oil Conservation Division to adopt new statewide NMAC regulations (19.15.41, 19.15.42, and 19.15.43), with a hearing planned to determine whether to hold a public hearing on the proposed rules.

The Special Meeting serves as a continuation of prior proceedings held in September 2025. The primary item for discussion and potential action involves Case No. 25371, which is an application by Coterra Energy Operating Co. for a Hearing De Novo concerning Division Case Nos. 23448-23455, 23594-23601, and 23508-23523, and Order No. R-23089-A in Lea County, New Mexico. This matter pertains to competing applications covering specific sections in Township 20 South, Range 34 East, NMPM.

The agenda for the meeting includes standard proceedings such as Roll Call and approval of the current agenda. A key discussion item is a potential pilot project to offer voluntary mediation (alternative dispute resolution) to parties seeking an adjudicatory hearing before the OCC. Several pending cases are scheduled for status conferences or commission decisions on pending motions, involving compulsory pooling applications by Matador Production Company and American Energy Resources, as well as a rulemaking application by WELC. Additionally, there is an application by the Oil Conservation Division to adopt new statewide regulations (NMAC). Other business includes scheduling the next regular meeting in March 2026.

The meeting agenda included a call to order, roll call, and approval of the agenda. Key discussion items under New Business involved updates from the Chair, reports from various subcommittees (Tribal, Alignment, Legislative, Non-Profit), and miscellaneous topics such as signage updates, a review of 2025 activities, and a logo redesign review. The Alignment Subcommittee's focus included new trail segment considerations like the Santa Fe Taos Connection and a realignment proposal for the Albuquerque: Bosque Trail-Tijeras Canyon Connection, as well as trail segment designations.

The agenda for the Special Meeting includes roll call, approval of the agenda, and approval of minutes from previous OCC meetings in July, August, and September 2025. Key discussion items are pending cases, specifically Case No. 25371, which involves an application by Coterra Energy Operating Co. for a Hearing De Novo concerning competing applications for pooling/unitization in Lea County, New Mexico. The agenda also lists pending litigation matters, including the Appeal of Case No. 23580 regarding the PFAS Rulemaking and Administrative Appeal in Case No. 25237.