HILCORP - HUERFANITO UNIT 85M Oil Extraction Facility, Huerfano, New Mexico

HILCORP - HUERFANITO UNIT 85M is an oil extraction facility situated in the San Juan Basin of northwestern New Mexico, approximately 11.8 miles east of Huerfano. The facility is operational and contributes to the region's oil production, which is part of the larger Permian Basin and San Juan Basin hydrocarbon provinces. The facility operates under the regulatory framework of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the New Mexico Oil Conservation Division. Oil extraction in this region typically involves conventional vertical wells and increasingly horizontal drilling with hydraulic fracturing to access tight oil formations. The facility's NAICS codes (211111, 211120, 211130) indicate crude petroleum extraction, natural gas extraction, and natural gas liquid extraction, suggesting a multi-product operation. As part of the San Juan Basin, this facility plays a role in the local economy and energy supply. The region has a long history of oil and gas development, with associated infrastructure for gathering, processing, and transportation. Environmental considerations include groundwater protection, air emissions from drilling and production, and land use impacts. The facility's location in a semi-arid area with sensitive ecosystems necessitates adherence to best management practices for spill prevention and waste disposal.

The facility is located in the San Juan Basin, a semi-arid region with sensitive ecosystems including sagebrush steppe and riparian areas. Oil extraction activities pose risks of groundwater contamination from produced water and spills, air emissions from volatile organic compounds and methane, and habitat fragmentation. Regulatory oversight by the EPA and state agencies aims to mitigate these impacts through permitting and monitoring requirements.