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May 2026 Secretary Update

May 8, 2026 

May 2026 Secretary Update

Ah, May, the weather is warmer, people are heading outside to enjoy the sunshine and outdoor activities, and a sense of freshness is in the air. It’s the perfect time to revitalize your habits and attitude!

As we approach Memorial Day, let’s take a moment to express our deep gratitude to the military personnel who dedicated their lives to protecting our freedoms. To honor their memory, we will observe a moment of silence at 3 PM local time on Monday, May 25^th. We invite all who wish to participate to join us in paying our respects.

“Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it. It flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it.” — Unknown

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

Current Items:

• Hearings
• First Quarter Commission Report
• IOGCC Meeting
• Operations and Production
• News Article(s) of Interest
• Horizontal Rig Counts
• Current Prices

Hearings

There are no active cases at this time.  

First Quarter Commission Report

The 2026 first quarter report to the Commission on oil, gas, and hydrogen exploration activities in the state is now available as part of this month’s Secretary Update.  

IOGCC Meeting

The 2026 Interstate Oil & Gas Compact Commission Annual Business Meeting will take place May 18-20, 2026 in Oklahoma City and will be attended by Secretary Shannon Chollett and Program Manager James Thum. Immediately following the meeting, the Groundwater Protection Council (GWPC) will be holding a Produced Water Forum to discuss challenges and opportunities for the reuse of produced water.  

Operations and Production

Canyon, Payette, Gem & Ada Counties

Explor Geosciences Inc. working on behalf of their client Koloma Inc., submitted a Seismic Permit Application for a +/- 650-mile 2D seismic in parts of Canyon, Ada, Payette and Gem counties 3/31/2026. The application was posted for comments 4/6/2026; comment period ended 4/20/2026. Application is currently under review.

Payette County

Snake River Oil & Gas, LLC submitted an Application for Permit to Drill the Miller #1-15 gas well 3/31/2026. The application was posted for comments 4/3/2026, comment period ended 4/17/2026. Well location: SE ¼ SE ¼ Section 15, T8N R5W, Payette County; Harmon Field. Proposed depth 5,000’ MD / 4,825’ TVD. Application is currently under review.

Snake River Oil & Gas, LLC submitted a request 4/16/2026 for an extension of the well treatment permit for the ML Investments #2-10, USWN 11-075-20022. Pursuant to IDAPA 20.07.02.210.03, the Department approved the request. The new expiration date for the permit is 11/30/2026.

Snake River Oil & Gas has shut-in all production and facilities in the Payette area due to poor economic conditions as a result of low natural gas prices in the Pacific Northwest.

News Articles of Interest

April 15, 2026: Natural gas outlook turns bearish on crude gains

April 28, 2026: Prolonged war could send oil prices to $115/barrel

April 16, 2026: Iowa Senate passes bill regulating hydrogen extraction

Horizontal Rig Counts

Source: Baker Hughes - Horizontal Rig Count as of May 1, 2026

Current Prices

• NW Region Natural Gas (EIA) was $1.27 / million Btu as of 5/6/2026 which is a 27% / $0.27 increase since previous month.
• NGL (EIA) was $5.90 / million Btu as of 2/28/2026 which is a 5.4% / $0.34 decrease since previous month.
• WTI was $105.66 / bbl as of 5/6/2026  which is a 6.7% / $7.57 decrease since previous month.