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May 2025 Secretary Update

May 9, 2025

May 2025 Secretary Update

On January 3, 1942, five brothers from Waterloo, Iowa, enlisted in the US Navy with the stipulation that they all serve together. George Thomas Sullivan, Francis Henry Sullivan, Joseph Eugene Sullivan, Madison Abel Sullivan, and Albert Leo Sullivan. During the Naval battle of Guadalcanal, they were all killed in action when light cruiser USS Juneau was struck by a torpedo fired from the Japanese destroyer Amatsukaze, and finally by a torpedo fired from Japanese submarine I-26.

On January 12, 1943, the boys' father, Tom, was preparing for work when three men in uniform approached his door. "I have some news for you about your boys," a naval officer said. "Which one?" asked Tom. "I'm sorry," the officer replied. "All five.”

This Memorial Day, remember that it’s more than a day off to spend with friends and family. This is a day to honor and remember those who have given the most in service to our country. Whether someone close to you has passed defending our country or not, please take a moment during your time off to pay tribute to the courage and sacrifice made by so many.

“Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices.”

– President Harry S. Truman

Shannon Chollett - Division Administrator & Secretary to the OGCC

Current Items:

• New Commissioner / May OGCC meeting
• GWPC RBDMS Training
• IOGCC Annual Business Meeting
• Legislative Update
• Field Status / Injection Well Update
• News Article(s) of Interest
• Current Prices

Visit the Idaho Oil and Gas Conservation Commission Website

New Commissioner / May OGCC meeting

The Department welcomes Mike Lyden as the newest Oil & Gas Commissioner. We look forward to the addition of his extensive experience to the Commission. The Commission will hold a regular meeting on Wednesday, May 14, at 1:30pm (MT). This meeting will be held at the State Capitol. More information can be found on the Commission Meetings webpage.

GWPC RBDMS Training

Program Manager James Thum will be attending the Ground Water Protection Council's Risk Based Data Management System spring training session May 5^th through the 8^th. The Department is investigating an upgrade to the Data Explorer public-facing oil and gas data portal.

IOGCC Annual Business Meeting

The 2025 Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission Annual Business Meeting will take place May 19^th through 21^st in Oklahoma City and will be attended by Secretary Shannon Chollett and Program Manager James Thum. Additionally, James Thum and Southwest Area Resource Supervisor Derek Kraft will be attending the Oil & Gas Inspector’s Forum May 18^th and 19^th in conjunction with the Annual Business Meeting.

Legislative Update

IDAPA 20.07.02 – The pending rule was adopted by the Senate on March 20, 2025 and will take effect on July 1, 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 signed into law by Governor Little on March 31, 2025.

Field Status / Injection Well Update

Snake River Oil & Gas submitted an application for a gas injection well treatment for the ML Investments #2-10 (USWN 11-075-20022) April 24, 2025. The Department is currently evaluating the application in coordination with Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (IDEQ) and Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR). The application is currently posted on the OGCC website Well Permit Applications page for public comment until May 14, 2025.

Annual inspections were completed for wells in the Harmon Field area the week of April 21^st. The Little Willow Gathering Facility annual inspection was completed the same week. Derek Kraft from the Southwest Area office was in attendance as part of his inspector training.

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.

News Article(s) of Interest

Could Yellowstone be an untapped source of helium?

Budget bill boosts oil and gas production.

Crude stockpiles drop as oil production rebounds.

Current Prices

• NW Natural Gas (EIA), $0.96 / million Btu as of 5/6/2025 which is a 32.3% / $0.45 decrease since previous month.
• NGL (EIA), $7.88 / million Btu as of 2/28/2025 which is a 2.3% / $0.19 decrease since previous month.
• WTI, $58.50 / bbl as of 5/6/2025 which is a 18.3% / $13.11 decrease since previous month.