Oil & Gas Company Honored for Conservation Efforts in Southeast New Mexico
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The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) honored oil and gas operator RKI Exploration & Production, LLC with the “Restore New Mexico” award for their efforts to enhance and restore public lands in the Permian Basin in southeast New Mexico. The annual Restore New Mexico Award is given to individuals, organizations, or companies who demonstrate leadership in restoring public lands to a healthy and productive condition. Based in Oklahoma City, RKI is currently producing 266 wells in southeastern New Mexico. They have undertaken reclamation efforts which include the restoration of legacy wells, abandoned well locations, and recent abandonments of 12 depleted wells. In addition, RKI has contracted with a reclamation team to look at their entire operation in southeast New Mexico, and is downsizing the footprint of many of their locations—old and new. This includes wells that had belonged to previous operators.“The BLM is pleased with participation from industry as we continue to work together toward a common goal in doing what is best for public lands,” said BLM New Mexico State Director Jesse Juen. “This is an important endeavor in restoring and sustaining public land health,” he added.Since its inception in 2005, Restore New Mexico partnerships have treated over three million acres of impaired habitat throughout the State. As a result, the Restore New Mexico initiative has become a model for land conservation in the western United States.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.