One of the nation’s largest oil producers has set its eyes on Sandoval County, with an application for exploratory drilling scheduled to be heard by county officials next month.
The application by Oklahoma City-based SandRidge Energy to drill an exploratory well will presented to the county Planning and Zoning Board on Dec. 10, Sandoval County Public Information Officer Sidney Hill said. The applicant proposes to drill in the Rio Rancho Estates area, west of the city of the Rio Rancho.
According to the application, SandRidge would use two acres for the exploration site within Unit 1 on the far west side of Rio Rancho Estates between King Boulevard and 19th Avenue.
The company proposes to drill to a depth of 10,500 feet. It would require 25 days of drilling and production testing.
Jami Grindatto, president and CEO of the Sandoval Economic Alliance, said the drilling would have a low environmental impact and there are no plans for a refinery. Grindatto said the company has already received a state permit to drill.
“They’re pretty excited about coming to Sandoval County, and I use the words Sandoval County, because it’s not Rio Rancho,” he said. “It could be Rio Rancho in the future but I seriously doubt it. But they’re looking at doing an exploration to see if there is oil.”
Sandoval Economic Alliance has helped SandRidge, an oil and natural gas company, make “sure they have the right contacts, they talk to the right people,” Grindatto said.
“It’s a great company, they’ve been doing this very successfully in other states and communities,” he said. “I’m just very pleased that one of the largest oil producers in the country is looking at Sandoval County.”
By: Antonio Sanchez (Rio Rancho Observer)
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