April 2025 Secretary Update

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April 2025 Secretary Update

April 4, 2025 

April 2025 Secretary Update

In 1557, Thomas Tusser compiled a collection of writings called "A Hundred Good Points of Husbandry." In the April section, he wrote:

Sweet April showers

Do spring May flowers

The rhyme we grew up repeating as children was originally a short poem. "April showers bring May flowers" is a reminder that even the most unpleasant things can bring about very enjoyable things indeed -- even an abundance of flowers in May. "April showers bring May flowers" is also a lesson in patience that remains valid to this day.

Many of life's greatest things come only to those who wait, and by patiently and happily enduring the clouds and damp of April, I hope you can find yourself more easily able to take in the sights and smells of May.

Shannon Chollett

Current Items:

• Idaho Oil and Gas History
• Legislative Update
• Field Status / Injection Well Update
• News Article(s) of Interest
• Current Prices

Idaho Oil and Gas History

April 2nd marked the 62^nd anniversary of the first Idaho Oil and Gas Conservation Commission meeting. The Commission was formed when the Idaho Legislature passed House Bill 168, the Idaho Oil and Gas Conservation Act in part due to recent exploration activity during the mid-1950s and early 1960s in the area around Payette Idaho and Ontario Oregon in what is called the Western Snake River Plain basin.

You can read more about the history of the Idaho OGCC on the Commission History page.

Legislative Update

IDAPA 20.07.02 Pending Rule – Under Senate Resolution 111, this pending rule was adopted by a voice vote of the Senate on March 20, 2025.

Senate Bill 1146 – Sponsored by Senator Mark Harris, this bill modifies the background requirements for members of the Idaho Oil & Gas Conservation Commission as defined in Idaho Code § 47-314 by removing the requirement for a geoscience or engineering degree. The bill passed both House and Senate votes and was reported delivered to the Governor on March 26, 2025.

Field Status / Injection Well Update

Production was down slightly during the month of February, averaging 8.7 MMCFGD from 8 wells in the Payette area. Natural gas prices have dropped considerably in March, and the operator notified IDL they were shutting in production from all wells the week of March 24^th. The Department will commence annual inspections for wells and facilities in the valley area around Fruitland, Idaho during the month of April.

Snake River Oil & Gas reports that the conversion of the DJS #2-14 well to a Class II injection well remains on hold pending improved gas prices.

New Article(s) of Interest

March 19, 2025 - Interior Secretary urges increased drilling and mining on public lands

April 1, 2025 - Climate change lawsuits against oil companies are based on tenuous legal grounds

April 2, 2025 - Idaho electricity rates among the lowest in the country

Current Prices

NW Natural Gas (EIA)   $1.39 / million Btu 4/2/2025     (33.8% / $0.71 decrease since previous month)

NGL (EIA)                   $7.28 / million Btu 1/31/2025   (10.9% / $0.79 increase since previous month)

WTI                             $71.61 / bbl    4/2/2025  (7.6% / $5.03 increase since previous month)