SANTA FE: Senate Bill 553 (SB 553) is now in effect and gives the Oil Conservation Division (OCD) the authority to charge fees and sets a fees schedule on specific administrative applications. The money generated from these fees will allow the OCD, a Division within the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD), to modernize its technology and business systems and offset hearing administrative costs. SB 553, sponsored by Senator Joseph Cervantes, passed through the 2019 legislative session with strong support from industry leaders.

Pursuant to the legislation, EMNRD has developed a new online payment portal to begin collecting fees today, July 1, 2019, that will streamline the application process. The fees schedule is listed in the bill language. By updating our technology systems through the fund generated by SB 553, the OCD will be able to save valuable staff time, be more responsive to requests, and have better tools to regulate and work with industry.

“SB 553 is a real game changer for the OCD,” said Adrienne Sandoval, Oil Conservation Division Director. “My goal is to make the OCD a modern, efficient division, and this is the first of many steps in making that a reality.”

“The Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department would like to thank Senator Cervantes for sponsoring this bill, the many stakeholders who gave their input, and the legislators who voted to sign SB 553 into law,” said Sarah Cottrell Propst, EMNRD Cabinet Secretary. “The oil and gas industry is a significant part of New Mexico’s economy, the fees generated from applications will go a long way in modernizing the OCD.”

The fee portal is a new system created within EMNRD. To make learning the new system as easy as possible the OCD has created an FAQ page. It can be found on the Division website.