RCGCD hears update on Toyah oil well blowout and capped, flowing Orla water well; complaint to Railroad Commission proposed

President James Ward and the Reeves County Groundwater Conservation District board heard Oct. 31 that contractors have stopped a Toyah oil well blowout and capped a nearby Orla water well that had been flowing, but that further investigation may be needed to determine whether an oil well is pressurizing the aquifer.

General Manager Greg Perrin told the board contractor Kender Morgan stopped the Toyah blowout and cleanup work is ongoing. Representatives of Straub Corporation—Devin Tracy and Raymond Straub—reported on the flowing Orla well (identified as well 3741). Straub said the Orla well has been capped, water is being collected into a tank, and surface pressure readings around 178 PSI were observed. "That pressure should be zero," Straub said, adding that what Straub's team found was "predominantly gas." He said those conditions could indicate the nearby old oil well is leaking and pressurizing the groundwater, pushing brine upward.

Public commenter Gil Van Deventer told the board he spoke with well owner Dan Knox, who told Van Deventer he first noticed the well flowing in February and that it "was flowing about 5 barrels a day." Straub and others said they have not yet located a well report for the site. Straub told the board there is sufficient information to warrant asking the Railroad Commission to investigate further.

Board members reacted by urging prompt action. President James Ward said the district should move forward with a complaint; Director Nancy Martinez agreed that pursuing a Railroad Commission complaint "is something RCGCD should pursue." Director Cecil Lee said pursuing the matter is "our job" and "that's why we are serving." Attorney Bill Dugat recommended placing a formal complaint letter to the Railroad Commission on the November agenda for the board’s consideration.

The board did not file a complaint at the meeting. Minutes record "No Action Taken" on the item and that staff and contractors will continue monitoring and prepare documentation for possible referral to the Railroad Commission and other agencies.

The district listed the matter for follow-up at the Nov. 21 meeting; the agenda item will include the Straub Corporation update and consideration of a formal complaint to the Railroad Commission.