North Dakota Industrial Commission Docket for Hearing

The docket lists North Dakota Industrial Commission oil-and-gas applications concerning Bakken Pool spacing units, field-boundary amendments, and horizontal-well authorizations; pooling interests; commingling oil, gas, and vapor-recovery unit gas at central production facilities, including well-testing procedures; and authorizations for Dakota Group saltwater-disposal wells and a permit modification. Applications cite NDCC § 38-08-08 and NDAC §§ 43-02-03-88.1 and 43-02-03-48.1, as well as NDAC Chapter 43-02-05.

The docket includes applications concerning Bakken and Three Forks field rules, pool boundaries, spacing units, well authorizations, and pooling of interests. Other matters address commingling oil and gas production at central production facilities and applications to drill vertical or directional saltwater-disposal wells under NDAC Chapter 43-02-05. Cases 33335–33375 include applications from operators including 1776 Disposals, Cornerstone Natural Resources, Continental Resources, EOG Resources, Devon Energy, Hunt Oil, Phoenix Operating, KODA Resources, Formentera Operations, Heberdev Operating, and Argent Midstream Solutions.

A conference and trade show focused on the Bakken and Williston Basin, featuring industry speakers and vendor exhibits.

The program covers the current state of lignite, new technologies and innovation, future growth and job opportunities, federal energy policy for North Dakota, legislative campaigns, grid needs, lignite research and development, critical-minerals research, and data-center opportunities for coal country. Mine and plant updates include Dakota Gasification Company; Antelope Valley Station/Leland Olds; Milton R. Young Plant; Coyote Station; Coal Creek Station; Coteau Properties Company; Falkirk Mining Company; Coyote Creek Mining Company; and BNI Coal, Ltd. The agenda also includes a Lignite Council awards presentation for reclamation, safety, distinguished service, contractors and suppliers, public service, and lignite ambassadors. Mine & Plant Updates and Social & Individual Company Sessions are marked members-only. The stated intended audience includes company employees, mine and plant workers, contractors, suppliers, industry partners, students, educators, retirees, and industry supporters.

The hearing concerns Idaho Power’s petition to evaluate its Class Cost-of-Service methodology, consider alternative Class Cost-of-Service studies, and determine cost-of-service considerations for new large-load customers. Parties may present proposals, witnesses, testimony, and exhibits, with questions following presentations and witness testimony. The public may listen to or watch the proceedings.

The Environmental Improvement Board will consider NMED’s petition to adopt proposed new rule 20.2.51 NMAC, Methane Abatement. The proposal would establish a state methane super-emitter program: qualified entities could seek certification as third-party notifiers and submit detections made with approved remote methane-sensing technologies. A super-emitter event is defined as a detected emissions event with a quantified methane rate of at least 50 kg/hr. NMED would review notifications and provide them to owners or operators of sources within 50 meters; operators would investigate the event, repair responsible leaks, and report their findings to NMED. The proposal would also require zero methane emissions from designated facilities with natural-gas-driven process controllers, including gathering and boosting stations, processing plants, tank batteries, transmission compressor stations, and well sites. It sets out exemptions, closed-vent-system design and operating requirements, inspections of closed-vent systems and self-contained controllers, and annual reporting of inspections and repairs. The hearing is open to the public and allows technical testimony, general public testimony, written comments, and cross-examination. The Board may act on the proposal after hearing the testimony and evidence.

Docket 26-035-20 concerns PacifiCorp d/b/a Rocky Mountain Power’s application for approval and report of the sale of the Washington Service Area and an accounting order. Parties must have their witnesses in attendance and prepared to testify. The scheduling order establishes testimony, intervention, and discovery deadlines, and requires parties to supplement discovery responses when new, different, or corrected information becomes available.

The Environmental Improvement Board will hear testimony, evidence, and public comment on NMED’s petition to adopt proposed rule 20.2.51 NMAC, Methane Abatement. The board may deliberate and act on the proposal at the hearing’s conclusion or meet later to consider action. The hearing is open to the public; technical testimony is given under oath or affirmation and is subject to cross-examination. Members of the public may also provide oral or written nontechnical comments. The proposed rule would establish a state methane super-emitter program modeled after the federal program. Certified third-party notifiers could submit reports of remotely detected events with quantified emissions of at least 50 kg/hr; NMED would review notifications and send them to owners or operators of sources within 50 meters, who would investigate, repair leaks, and report their findings. The rule also proposes zero-methane requirements for natural-gas-driven process controllers at designated oil and gas facilities, along with closed-vent-system and controller inspection requirements and annual reporting. The hearing will consider the proposed rule, petition, and statement of reasons.

The Potomac Edison Company’s application seeks a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to rebuild the Messick Road-Ridgeley 138-kilovolt transmission line in Allegany County, Maryland. The proceeding is an en banc evidentiary hearing.