Inhofe/Boren Introduce Bi-Partisan “Marginal Well Production Preservation and Enhancement Act”

WASHINGTON, DC – Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Ranking Member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, today introduced with Rep. Dan Boren (D-OK), the Marginal Well Production Preservation and Enhancement Act.  This bipartisan and bicameral bill ensures that the nation’s policies recognize and reflect the economic importance of marginal well production. The average marginal well produces less than 2.2 barrels of oil per day.

“As Americans continue to suffer from high energy prices, we need to take advantage of domestic resources of oil and natural gas,” Senator Inhofe said. “I am proud to work closely with Congressman Boren in introducing the bi-partisan Marginal Well Production Preservation and Enhancement Act, which will reduce our dependence on foreign oil by streamlining and clarifying government regulations, prolonging economic feasibility, and enhancing production volumes from marginal wells. In addition to reducing our dependence on foreign oil, a producing well provides both state and federal taxes, pays royalties to land and mineral owners, and keeps jobs and dollars on American soil and in American pockets.  A plugged well provides none of this.

“Marginal wells produced more than 335 million barrels of oil in 2006. That’s equivalent to more than 60 percent as much as the United States imports annually from Saudi Arabia or 67 percent as much as the nation imports annually from Venezuela.  In my own state of Oklahoma, it is the small independents, basically mom-and-pop operations that produce the majority of oil and natural gas, with 85 percent of Oklahoma's oil coming from marginal wells,” Inhofe said. 

“Every day hard-working Oklahomans are facing rising costs of energy, and our country continues to be dependent on foreign nations for its energy needs,” Congressman Boren said.  Congress must ensure that we are taking full advantage of every option available to increase our domestic energy supply.”
 
“That is why I’m proud to join my colleague and fellow Oklahoman, Senator Jim Inhofe, in introducing the Marginal Well Production Preservation and Enhancement Act,” Congressman Boren continued.  “This legislation would help reduce our foreign dependence by prolonging and enhancing production from marginal wells.  Even though marginal wells produce 15 barrels or less daily, according to the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, they contribute nearly 18 percent of the oil and 9 percent of the natural gas produced in the U.S.  Most importantly, the producers who operate marginal wells are smaller, independent operations that assist local and state economies with job creation and added revenue streams.   This bill ensures that the nation’s policies recognize the economic importance and energy contribution of marginal well production.”   

Support for the Marginal Well Production Preservation and Enhancement Act 

Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association: “The Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association appreciates the bipartisan leadership of Senator Inhofe and Congressman Boren as they work to make America more energy secure,” said OIPA Chairman John Pilkington. “By fixing the marginal well percentage depletion rate at 27.5 percent, eliminating the net income limitation for percentage depletion, allowing the accelerated depreciation of tertiary injectant properties, and providing common-sense regulatory relief, this bill would help independent producers more effectively meet the demands of operating marginal wells and enhance producers’ ability to develop new domestic crude oil and natural gas resources.”  

National Stripper Well Association: “The National Stripper Well Association would like to thank Congressman Boren and Senator Inhofe for sponsoring the Marginal Well Production Preservation and Enhancement Act,” said NSWA Chairman Dewey Bartlett Jr. “America’s marginal wells collectively produce half as much oil as America imports from Saudi Arabia each year and are an important part of the domestic energy security equation. We hope Congress will consider this bipartisan bill as part of a comprehensive solution to our nation’s energy supply challenges.” 

Oklahoma Commission on Marginally Producing Oil and Gas Wells: “The State of Oklahoma Commission on Marginally Producing Oil and Gas Wells would like to express its appreciation on behalf of Oklahoma marginal oil and gas well operators to Senator Inhofe and Congressman Boren for their bipartisan leadership as they work to make America less dependent on foreign oil and improve national security,” said Marginal Well Commission Executive Director James M. Revard.  “At this critical time, this bill will help the independent producer more effectively meet growing market demands while operating in a cost-effective manner.  This bill will allow operators to offset the rising cost of operations while making it possible to reinvest in new development of domestic oil and gas.”   

Independent Petroleum Association of America: “With approximately 20 percent of American oil production and 10 percent of American natural gas production coming from marginal wells, they are America’s true strategic petroleum reserve.  However, they remain America’s most vulnerable production assets faced with the highest operating costs.  This legislation is designed to encourage and protect continuing operation these essential American resources,” said Barry Russell, President and CEO of the Independent Petroleum Association of America. 

Association of Energy Service Companies: Charlie Swift, President of the Association of Energy Service Companies, said, “On behalf of the Association of Energy Service Companies, I would like to extend my support to the Marginal Well Production Preservation and Enhancement Act introduced by Senator Inhofe and Representative Boren. Marginal wells are a vital resource to our domestic oil and gas industry, and I applaud these Congressmen for recognizing their importance and working to promote their use."