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February 2026 Secretary Update

February 10, 2026

February 2026 Secretary Update

As we begin February 2026, the Idaho Oil and Gas Commission remains focused on its core mission of responsible resource oversight, regulatory integrity, and public transparency. This update provides a summary of recent administrative actions, ongoing coordination with state partners, and key priorities guiding the Commission’s work in the months ahead. Through continued engagement with stakeholders and diligent stewardship of Idaho’s natural resources, the Commission is committed to supporting safe, compliant operations while serving the interests of Idaho’s citizens.

“February is the bridge that connects the promises of the past year with the hopes of the year ahead.” — David LaMotte

Shannon Chollett
Division Administrator - Minerals, Navigable Waters, Oil & Gas
Secretary to the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission

Current Items:

• OGCC Regular Meeting
• Hearings
• Operations and Production
• News Article(s) of Interest
• Current Prices

OGCC Regular Meeting 

The OGCC will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 1:30 pm (MT). More information can be found on the Commission Meetings page.

Hearings

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 unit 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 Evidentiary Hearing took place Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at Fruitland City Hall, followed by an afternoon and evening public comment period. The Final Order was issued January 28, 2026 by the Division Administrator with a deadline for appeals Wednesday, February 11, 2026.

Operations and Production

Canyon County

Cascade Exploration, LLC Twin Peaks #1W (USWN 11-027-20004) reached a total depth of 11,445 feet December 11, 2025. After logging and testing, the operator completed plugging operations, and a final plugging report was filed with the Department January 28, 2026.

Payette County

SROG submitted an Application for Permit to Drill (APD) for the James #1-10 in Section 10, T8N R5W Payette County, Idaho on January 6, 2026. This directional well has a proposed total depth of 5,000 feet measured depth (MD). The Department approved the APD February 4, 2026. This well will be drilled on the 320-acre unit approved in Docket No. CC-2024-OGR-01-001 and Docket No. CC-2024-OGR-01-002 and is estimated to spud later in 2026.

SROG has delayed well treatment operations on the ML Investments #2-10 (USWN 11-075-20022) due to unfavorable conditions downhole. They are currently evaluating possible solutions in order to proceed with the treatment. Once operations commence, the well treatment is expected to take approximately three weeks.

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

News Articles of Interest

January 22, 2026 – Oil era far from over, energy secretary says

January 26, 2026 – Winter storm curtails oil & gas operations in the U.S.

February 6, 2026 – Surge in gas-fired power for data centers

Source: Baker Hughes, Horizontal Rig Count as of January 30, 2026.

Current Prices

• NW Natural Gas (EIA), $1.25 / million Btu as of 2/9/2026 which is a 44.9% / $1.02 decrease since previous month.
• NGL(EIA), $6.20 / million Btu as of 10/31/2025 which is a 4.6% / $0.33 decrease since previous month – No update posted as of 2/9/2026.
• WTI, $63.77 / bbl as of 2/9/2026 which is a 13.9% / $7.76 increase since previous month.