Cotton Draw Unit No159 - Oil Extraction Facility in Jal, New Mexico

Cotton Draw Unit No159 is an oil extraction facility situated in Lea County, New Mexico, approximately 30 miles west of Jal. The facility is part of the broader Permian Basin, a prolific oil-producing region that has driven significant domestic crude output. As an operational extraction site, it contributes to the United States' position as a leading global oil producer. The facility operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which enforces air quality standards through the Clean Air Act (CAA) and the Refinery MACT standards for emissions control. Additionally, state-level regulations from the New Mexico Oil Conservation Division govern drilling and production practices. The Permian Basin's geology typically requires enhanced oil recovery techniques, such as water flooding or CO2 injection, to maintain production rates. Cotton Draw Unit No159 plays a role in the regional oil supply chain, feeding crude into pipelines that connect to refineries along the Gulf Coast. The facility's location in a semi-arid environment means water management is a key operational consideration, with produced water often treated and reused for hydraulic fracturing or disposed of in deep injection wells. The site's contribution to local employment and tax revenue underscores its economic significance to Lea County.

The facility operates in the Permian Basin, a region with high seismic activity related to wastewater injection. The semi-arid climate and limited surface water resources necessitate careful water management. Oil extraction here involves handling produced water, which is typically disposed of via deep injection wells, a practice linked to induced seismicity. Air emissions from drilling and production include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and methane, regulated under EPA's CAA and New Mexico's air quality rules.