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A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE SECRETARY OF ENERGY, MINERALS AND NATURAL

RESOURCES TO CONVENE AN EXECUTIVE TASK FORCE TO REVIEW

OPTIONS FOR USE OF PRODUCED WATER.

WHEREAS, the oil and gas industry in the course of

drilling wells produces incidental by-products defined as

produced water; and

WHEREAS, significant amounts of produced water are

re-injected into the ground in this process; and

WHEREAS, this produced water may have other applications

authorized by Section 70-2-12 NMSA 1978; and

WHEREAS, the oil conservation division of the energy,

minerals and natural resources department has regulatory

authority over produced water; and

WHEREAS, the alternative application of produced water

has not been allowed by the oil conservation division in

previous years;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE

STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the secretary of energy, minerals

and natural resources be requested to convene a task force to

review the issue of produced water; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force include the

director of the oil conservation division, the state director

of the bureau of land management and members of the oil and

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gas industry and produced water disposal industry; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the secretary of energy,

minerals and natural resources report the findings of the

task force and its recommendations for legislation to the

appropriate interim committee by December 1, 2007; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be

transmitted to the secretary of energy, minerals and natural

resources, the director of the oil conservation division and

the state director of the bureau of land management.