Fluid Minerals
During scoping, what did the public ask us to consider in the FMG RMPA/EIS for fluid minerals?
How will the BLM and BIA manage fluid mineral leasing to fulfill the multiple-use mandate while addressing impacts on other resources given the predicted increase in development and the use of hydraulic fracturing technology?
Mineral Resources in the DEIS
The impacts of fluid mineral (oil and gas) development on individual resources such as water, air, socioeconomics, etc. are discussed under those sections in Chapter 3 of the Draft FMG RMPA/EIS.
Ak’ah Lizhini doo Nilch’i Aszolih Binajih Nahat’a
Listen to information about this virtual open house station in Navajo.
Oil & Gas Development Potential in the Planning Area and Unleased Areas
BLM-managed minerals:
20 percent (400,000 acres) are unleased*
BIA-managed minerals:
56 percent (332,000 acres) are unleased*
*The agencies’ proposed fluid mineral decisions in the DEIS will only apply to the portions of the Decision Areas that are not currently leased and to any leases that expire or are relinquished. For the BLM, all other areas and active leases in the FFO will continue existing management under the 2003 RMP.
BLM Fluid Mineral Leasing Allocations
*Standard terms and conditions for BLM fluid mineral leasing are defined here on page 3.
**No surface occupancy (NSO): All use of the land surface for fluid mineral exploration or development is prohibited to protect identified resource values. These areas can be leased for fluid minerals, but accessing these minerals would require horizontal drilling from outside the boundaries of the NSO area. Applies to BLM only.
***Controlled surface use (CSU): Allows some use and occupancy of land surface for fluid mineral exploration or development while protecting identified resources or values. These areas are open to fluid mineral leasing, but the CSU stipulation allows the BLM to require special operational constraints or require the fluid mineral development activities to moved up to 200 meters (656 feet) to protect the specified resource or value. Applies to BLM only.
****Timing limitation (TL): Closed to fluid mineral exploration and development (including construction, drilling, completions, and other intensive operations and maintenance, such as workovers on wells) during identified time frames. Unless otherwise specified, TL stipulations do not apply to operation and basic maintenance, including associated vehicle travel. TL stipulations can overlap spatially with NSO and CSU stipulations, as well as with areas that have no other restrictions. Applies to BLM only.
Drilling an oil and gas well
During the virtual open houses, the BLM interdisciplinary team provided multiple examples of how oil and gas development occurs. One key issue is zonal isolation—the method used when drilling an oil and gas well that limits the potential for groundwater contamination. In the video below from the August 29, 2020 virtual open house, Virgil Lucero explains the concept of zonal isolation and describes in detail how an oil and gas well is drilled.
Next Station
For more information on the Draft FMG RMPA/EIS please contact Sarah Scott, 505-564-7689 or Robert Begay, 505-863-8515
If you have questions about the Draft FMG RMPA/EIS or wish to be added or removed from the mailing list, please contact BLM at blm_nm_ffo_rmp@blm.gov.