Carl Chavez
505-476-3491
(carlj.chavez@state.nm.us)
Oil Conservation Division
Environmental Bureau
Energy, Minerals & Natural
Resources Department
Photos Courtesy of Geothermal Education Office
OCD GEOTHERMAL
REGULATIONS
Water Temp > 250 F OCD
Water Temp < 250 F NMED
OCD Geothermal Regulations
Chapter 71: Energy & Minerals
Article 5: Geothermal Resources
Conservation Act
“Chapter 71, Article 5 NMSA 1978”
Title 19: Natural Resources & Wildlife
Chapter 14: Geothermal Power
“Title19, Chapter 14 NMAC 1983”
Recompiled 12/31/01
OCD was delegated authority by the
EPA over its UIC Program for Class II
UIC Wells on February 5, 1982 under
§1425 47FR5412.
The OCD was later delegated authority
by the EPA over its UIC Program for
Class I, III, IV and V (Geosequestration
& Geothermal) UIC Wells on July 11,
1983 under §1422 48FR31640.
The OCD was delegated authority by
the Water Quality Control
Commission (WQCC) over its State
UIC Program (20.6.2.5000-5299
NMAC) on July 21, 1989.
1. General Provisions. As a gen. rule, OCD will
admin. & enforce applic. Com. regulations pertain. to
surface & GW dischgs. at oil & natl. gas prod. sites,
oil refineries, natl. gas proces. plants, geothermal
installations, carbon dioxide facilities, natl. gas
transmis. lines, & dischgs. assoc. w/ the activities of
the oil field service industry.
Title 20 Environmental Protection
Chapter 6 Water Quality
Part 4 Standards for Interstate &
Intrastate Surface Waters
20.6.4 NMAC
Effective: 7/17/05
Title 20 Environmental Protection
Chapter 6 Water Quality
Part 2 Ground & Surface Water
Protection
20.6.2 NMAC
Effective: 7/16/06
OCD Regulations
• 20.6.2.1201 Notice of Intent to
Discharge to OCD (Discharge Permit
Application)
• 20.6.2.3108 Public Notice
• 20.6.2.3114 Fees ($100 filing fee +
$1700/5 yrs.)
• 20.6.2.5002 (B5b) UIC Well
Classification (EPA: UIC Class V)
– Class V (geothermal energy for heating,
aquaculture & production of electrical power)
OCD Regulations
• 20.6.2.5003 Notification & General
Operating Requirements for all UIC
Wells
• 20.6.2.5101(D) states 3105
(Exemptions From Discharge
Permits) apply to Geothermal Wells
• 20.6.2.5102(B1b) Geothermal Well
Plans, Specs, documents shall be
filed w/ OCD.
Status of Geothermal Projects
in New Mexico
• Historical Geothermal Well Drilling conducted
throughout New Mexico
• NM Bureau of Mines (Socorro)
• Geothermal Resources of New Mexico – A
Survey of Work to Date (Open-File Report 73)
March, 1977
• Studies throughout NM & in progress today
• NMSU (Direct Heat for University)
• Los Alamos National Laboratory
• Geothermal Companies: Lightening Dock
Geothermal Binary Cycle Power Plant in NM
(Application 4/08)