East Vacuum Liquid Recovery Plant/CO2 Plant - Oil Extraction Facility in Buckeye, New Mexico

The East Vacuum Liquid Recovery Plant/CO2 Plant is an operational oil extraction facility situated 2.7 miles east of Buckeye, New Mexico, in Lea County. This facility is part of the broader oil and gas infrastructure supporting the Permian Basin, one of the most productive hydrocarbon regions in the United States. The plant focuses on liquid recovery and carbon dioxide processing, which are critical for enhanced oil recovery and efficient resource extraction. The facility operates under the regulatory oversight of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the New Mexico Environment Department. Key regulations include the Clean Air Act (CAA) Refinery MACT standards for emissions control and the Clean Water Act for discharge management. As an oil extraction plant, it likely employs technologies such as gas separation, compression, and CO2 injection to maximize hydrocarbon recovery. The Permian Basin's geology and infrastructure support high-volume production, with many facilities operating at capacities exceeding 100,000 barrels per day. The East Vacuum Liquid Recovery Plant/CO2 Plant plays a significant role in the regional energy supply chain by processing extracted hydrocarbons and enabling CO2-enhanced oil recovery. This process not only increases oil yields but also sequesters carbon dioxide underground, contributing to reduced atmospheric emissions. The facility's location in a semi-arid region with sparse population minimizes direct community exposure, though groundwater and air quality monitoring remain important environmental considerations.

The facility is situated in the Permian Basin, a region with a semi-arid climate and sensitive groundwater resources. Oil extraction operations can pose risks of soil and water contamination from spills or leaks of hydrocarbons and produced water. The use of CO2 for enhanced oil recovery, while beneficial for sequestration, requires careful management to prevent fugitive emissions. Regulatory compliance with EPA's CAA Refinery MACT and state-level rules helps mitigate these risks, but the high density of oil infrastructure in the area amplifies cumulative environmental pressures.