AN ACT
RELATING TO NATURAL RESOURCES;
PROVIDING FOR REGULATION AND CONSERVATION OF HELIUM AND OTHER NON-HYDROCARBON
GASES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF
THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
Section 1. Section 70-2-34 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1935,
Chapter 72, Section 28, as amended) is amended to read:
"70-2-34. REGULATION, CONSERVATION AND PREVENTION OF
WASTE OF CARBON DIOXIDE, HELIUM AND OTHER NON-HYDROCARBON GASES.--
A. The oil conservation division shall adopt and
administer rules on the conservation, the production and the prevention of
waste of carbon dioxide, helium and other non-hydrocarbon gases in the same
manner as it regulates, conserves and prevents waste of natural or hydrocarbon
gas. Where applicable, the provisions of
the Oil and Gas Act relating to gas or natural gas shall also apply to carbon
dioxide, helium and other non-hydrocarbon gases.
B. The commission shall have concurrent
jurisdiction and authority with the oil conservation division to the extent
necessary for the commission to perform its duties as required by law.
C. As used in this section:
(1) "carbon dioxide" means a
noncombustible gas composed chiefly of carbon dioxide occurring naturally in
underground rocks;
(2) "helium" means a gas composed of
the elemental gas helium and found in underground rocks, often along with other
gases; and
(3) "other non-hydrocarbon gases" means
noncombustible gases found in underground rocks, often along with other
gases."
HB 147
Page 2