LEA STATION TANKS Oil Extraction Facility, Oil Center, New Mexico

LEA STATION TANKS is an oil extraction facility situated in Lea County, New Mexico, approximately 4 miles north of Oil Center. The facility is part of the broader Permian Basin, a major oil-producing region that spans western Texas and southeastern New Mexico. As an operational oil extraction site, it contributes to the United States' domestic crude oil supply, supporting downstream refining and energy markets. The facility operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), including the Clean Air Act (CAA) and applicable New Mexico state regulations for oil and gas extraction. Typical oil extraction operations in this region involve drilling, well completion, and production, with associated infrastructure such as tanks for storage and separation. The Nelson complexity index is not directly applicable to extraction facilities, but the scale of operations in Lea County is significant, with many wells and supporting infrastructure. LEA STATION TANKS plays a role in the local economy and energy infrastructure of southeastern New Mexico. The region's oil extraction activities have environmental considerations, including potential impacts on air quality, water resources, and land use. The facility's location in a semi-arid area with sparse population reduces some risks, but proximity to sensitive ecosystems and groundwater aquifers requires careful management of emissions and spills.

The facility is located in the Permian Basin, a region with high oil extraction activity that poses risks of air emissions (volatile organic compounds, methane) and potential groundwater contamination from produced water and spills. The semi-arid climate and low population density reduce some exposure risks, but the area's ecological sensitivity, including habitats for species like the lesser prairie-chicken, necessitates adherence to EPA and state regulations for emission controls and spill prevention.