QUEEN KEELY Oil Extraction Facility, Monument, New Mexico | Permian Basin

QUEEN KEELY is an oil extraction facility located in Monument, Lea County, New Mexico, within the prolific Permian Basin. The facility is currently operational and contributes to the United States' domestic oil production, which is a key component of the country's energy infrastructure. The facility operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), including the Clean Air Act (CAA) and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) for water discharges. As an oil extraction site, it is subject to state-level regulations from the New Mexico Oil Conservation Division (OCD) and federal oversight from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for operations on federal lands. The Permian Basin is known for its high productivity and extensive oil reserves, making facilities like QUEEN KEELY significant contributors to regional and national energy supply. The facility's operations involve drilling, extraction, and initial processing of crude oil, which is then transported via pipelines to refineries. Environmental considerations include water usage, produced water management, and air emissions from equipment and flaring.

The facility is situated in the arid climate of southeastern New Mexico, where water scarcity is a key environmental concern. Oil extraction in this region involves significant water use for hydraulic fracturing and produced water management. Air quality impacts from volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and methane emissions are regulated under EPA's New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for the oil and gas sector. The area also supports sensitive desert ecosystems and wildlife habitats, requiring careful management of surface disturbances.