EPA v. MATADOR PRODUCTION COMPANY-NM SITES-CAA CONSENT DECREE-FY2023 (HQ LEAD)

Case summary

2023 JUDICIAL CONSENT DECREE ISSUED FOR VARIOUS VIOLATIONS FROM MULTIPLE FACILITIES-On May 15, the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico entered a consent decree (CD) in the matter concerning Matador Production Company (Matador). New Mexico was a co-plaintiff in this matter. The United States, on behalf of EPA and joined by NMED, filed an Unopposed Motion to Enter Proposed Consent Decree on May 9, 2023 to resolve violations of the CAA and its implementing regulations, and the federally-approved New Mexico State Implementation Plan (SIP) at 239 of its New Mexico oil and gas well pads located in the Permian Basin. The United States and NMED previously filed a complaint against Matador and lodged a proposed CD on March 27, 2023. The entered CD will result in a reduction of more than 16,000 tons of pollutants, including oxides of nitrogen (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and carbon monoxide (CO) as a result of the operation of new control equipment, implementation of an extensive design program, compliance with emission limits and standards, and compliance with improved work practices. The settlement requires measures to ensure future compliance, two mitigation projects, a civil penalty of civil penalty of $1,500,000 ($650,000 payable to the U.S. and $500,000 to New Mexico), a supplement environmental project (SEP), and a state-only SEP.

Defendants (1)

• MATADOR PRODUCTION COMPANYNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (35)

• RUSTLER BREAKS FACILITY

  3.8 MI W OF MALAGA, MALAGA, NM, 88263

  Registry ID: 110070667058

• MATADOR - STEBBINS 20/19 FED FACILITY

  12 MILES NORTHEAST OF CARLSBAD, NM, CARLSBAD, NM, 88220

  Registry ID: 110071498041

• JIMMY KONE FACILITY

  3.1 MI S OF LOVING, LOVING, NM, 88256

  Registry ID: 110070667101

• MATADOR - B BANKER FACILITY

  1.5 MILES SOUTHEAST OF LOVING, NM, LOVING, NM, 88256

  Registry ID: 110071497871

• RUSTLER BREAKS FACILITY

  3.8 MI W OF MALAGA, MALAGA, NM, 88263

  Registry ID: 110070667058

• RAY STATE SLOT 3 FACILITY

  2.6 MI NE OF MALAGA, MALAGA, NM, 88263

  Registry ID: 110070814952

• MATADOR - COLEMAN FACILITY

  3.6 MILES NORTHWEST OF LOVING, LOVING, NM, 88256

  Registry ID: 110071497873

• NOEL HENSLEY FED PRODUCTION FACILITY

  3.9 MI W OF MALAGA, MALAGA, NM, 88263

  Registry ID: 110070936794

• JANIE CONNER FACILITY

  0.9 MI E OF MALAGA, MALAGA, NM, 88263

  Registry ID: 110070255998

• MATADOR - CHARLIE SWEENEY FACILITY

  2.4 MILES SW OF LOVING, NM, LOVING, NM, 88256

  Registry ID: 110071497872

• MATADOR - MALLON 27 FED COM NO2H FACILITY

  HIGHWAY 62 25 MILES WEST OF HOBBS, HOBBS, NM, 88240

  Registry ID: 110071498038

• MATADOR -MALLON 27 FED COM NO3H FACILITY

  HIGHWAY 62 25 MILES WEST OF HOBBS, NM, HOBBS, NM, 88240

  Registry ID: 110071498038

• MATADOR - TIGER 14 FACILITY

  1.5 MILES SOUTHEAST OF MALAGA, NM, MALAGA, NM, 88263

  Registry ID: 110071498042

• MATADOR - DR. K FACILITY

  3.1 MILES WEST OF LOVING, NM, LOVING, NM, 88256

  Registry ID: 110071498047

• PAUL FACILITY

  2.4 MI SE OF MALAGA, MALAGA, NM, 88263

  Registry ID: 110070882118

• …and 20 more

Statutes cited

• CAA PARTD — New Source Review Permit Requirements
• CAA 111 — New Source Performance Standards
• CAA 173 — New Source Review Permit Requirements

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• MATADOR PRODUCTION COMPANY-NM SITES-CAA CONSENT DECREE-FY2023entered 2023-05-15

  Primary law: CAA

  Federal penalty: $650,000 · State/local: $500,000 · SEP: $1,250,000

Timeline (5 milestones)

• 2020-05-15Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 2023-03-27Complaint Filed With Court
• 2023-03-27Final Order Lodged
• 2023-05-15Final Order Entered
• 2023-09-13Enforcement Action Data Entered