Two Texas-based energy companies have been issued notices of violation by the New Mexico Environment Department over their operations in the Permian Basin. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency also issued similar notices for the violations against Mewbourne Oil Co. which is based in Tyler, Texas and Matador Production Co. of Dallas.
Both environmental agencies reported finding violations of state and federal air quality laws during April inspections in southeast New Mexico where the Permian extends from West Texas.
The first are accused of failing to capture emissions from storage vessels, maintain pilot lights on flares, comply with closed vent system requirements and ensure natural gas is captured and not emitted into the atmosphere.
The agencies say the failure to comply with the air quality laws can mean uncontrolled emissions of volatile organic compounds will be released into the air and also contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone.
Mewbourne Oil, formed in 1965 also has extensive operations in Oklahoma’s Anadarko Basin.