IOGCC Annual Conference
The Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC) hosted its 2025 Annual Conference in Anchorage, Alaska, bringing together state regulators, federal agencies, industry leaders, and tribal representatives to address critical issues shaping the future of energy regulation and development. Held at The Hotel Captain Cook, the three-day event featured a mix of policy discussions, technical sessions, and collaborative forums focused on innovation, stewardship, and intergovernmental coordination.
The conference opened with remarks from IOGCC Chair Adam Wygant, followed by an update from the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Orphaned Wells Program Office, presented by Acting Director Jennifer Goldblatt. Key sessions included a general session featuring speakers such as Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy, EPA Regional Administrators Scott Mason and Emma Pokon, and Kara Moriarty of the Department of the Interior. A major highlight was the panel discussion marking 60 years of community interaction in Alaska’s North Slope, led by Nagruk Harcharek, President of Voice of the Arctic Iñupiat, alongside state and federal officials. The event also included the presentation of the 2025 Chair’s Stewardship Awards, recognizing excellence in public outreach and environmental responsibility.
Throughout the week, IOGCC committees convened to tackle timely topics. The EPA/IOGCC MOU Task Force addressed state and federal coordination on environmental regulation, while the Public, Coastal, and Tribal Lands Council explored exploration and development on Alaska’s North Slope. The Energy Resources, Research, and Technology Committee discussed emerging technologies, including the role of artificial intelligence in streamlining regulatory processes and innovations in methane emissions reduction. Legal and Regulatory Affairs focused on model legislation for carbon sequestration, and the Public Outreach Committee shared strategies to improve energy education and stakeholder engagement.
Attendees also had the opportunity to connect outside the meeting rooms, with a glacier cruise excursion and an evening reception at the Alaska Native Heritage Center that celebrated local culture and community. As always, the IOGCC Annual Conference served as a platform for sharing best practices, strengthening partnerships, and advancing responsible energy development across jurisdictions.
Hearings and Applications
Docket No. CC-2025-OGR-01-002, Application for Spacing
Snake River Oil & Gas LLC (SROG) submitted an application May 22, 2025 to the Department requesting an order to establish a 400-acre unit in Harmon Field, Payette County. The lone objector to the spacing request withdrew her objection, and no other objections were filed by the fourteen-day deadline. SROG filed a request to establish the 400-acre unit based on the evidence submitted as allowed under Idaho Code § 47-328(3)(d), and the Final Order was issued September 30, 2025.
Docket No. CC-2025-OGR-01-003, Application for Spacing
Cascade Exploration LLC, a subsidiary of Koloma in Denver, submitted an application June 30, 2025 to the Department requesting an order to establish a +/- 239-acre unit in Section 25, T5N R4W, Canyon County to drill a stratigraphic test well for geologic hydrogen. The evidentiary hearing was held August 28, 2025 at the College of Western Idaho’s Nampa Micron Education Center. The Department and the Applicant filed a Joint Stipulation to Conditions to Grant the application for spacing, most notably to amend the size of the unit to 90 acres from 239.15 acres. The Final Order was issued September 30, 2025.
Docket No. CC-2025-OGR-01-004, Application for Spacing
Cascade Exploration LLC, a subsidiary of Koloma in Denver, submitted an application July 24, 2025 to the Department requesting an order to establish a +/- 40-acre unit in the SE ¼ NE ¼ Section 26, T5N R4W, Canyon County to drill a stratigraphic test well for geologic hydrogen. The proposed unit lies directly west of the 90-acre unit granted in Docket No. CC-2025-OGR-01-003. No objections were filed fourteen days prior to the scheduled hearing. Cascade filed a request to establish the 40-acre unit based on the evidence submitted as allowed under Idaho Code § 47-328(3)(d), and the Final Order was issued September 30, 2025.
Docket No. CC-2025-OGR-01-005, Application for Integration
Snake River Oil & Gas LLC (SROG) submitted an application September 29, 2025 requesting to integrate the mineral interests in the 400-acre spacing unit approved in Docket No. CC-2025-OGR-01-002. This spacing units consists of the SE ¼ of Section 15, the E ½ of the SW ¼ of Section 15, and the NE ¼ of Section 22, Township 8 North, Range 5 West, Payette County Idaho. The hearing for this docket is scheduled for Thursday November 13, 2025.
Operations and Production
Canyon County
Cascade Exploration LLC submitted an application July 25, 2025 for a permit to acquire approximately 50 miles of 2D seismic data in northern Canyon and southern Payette counties. The Department approved the application September 12, 2025, permit number LU600506. The Vantage Geophysical crew is expected to mobilize to Canyon County and begin field testing operations October 10, 2025.
Payette County
SROG’s application for a gas injection well treatment for the ML Investments 2-10 (USWN 11-075-20022), submitted April 24, 2025, was approved by the Department May 28, 2025. Commencement of operations has been delayed while Snake River awaits additional refurbishing on the equipment necessary to conduct the treatment.
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.
As of August 31, 2025, Idaho production averaged 5.6 million cubic feet of natural gas per day (MCFGD) and 73.6 barrels of condensate per day (BCD) from 7 wells: six in Harmon Field, one in Willow Field. Production from the plant averaged 5.21 MCFGD, 85.3 BCD and 6,266 gallons of natural gas liquids (NGLs) per day.
News Articles of Interest
US oil production reaches record-high daily output in July
Shutdown threatens US oil and gas permitting
Major companies are looking at natural hydrogen investments
HyTerra confirms elevated hydrogen and helium in Kansas test well
Current Prices
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NW Natural Gas (EIA), $2.45 / million Btu as of 10/10/2025 which is a 55.1% / $0.87 increase since previous month.
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NGL(EIA), $6.52 / million Btu as of 7/31/2025 which is a 2.2% / $0.15 decrease since previous month.
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WTI, $62.36 / bbl as of 10/10/2025 which is a 1.0% / $0.61 decrease since previous month.
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