The AZOGCC has statutory responsibility to regulate the drilling for and production of oil, gas, helium, carbon dioxide, and geothermal resources.

The AZOGCC consists of five members appointed by the Governor and one ex-officio member, the State Land Commissioner. The Arizona Geological Survey (AZGS) provides administrative and staff support. Current Commission members include J. Dale Nations, Tucson, Chairman; Stephen R. Cooper, Casa Grande; Frank Thorwald, Show Low; Robert L. Wagner, Mesa; and Vanessa Hickman, ex-officio member and State Land Commissioner. Steven L. Rauzi is the administrator. Please address all inquiries to Steve at 520-770-3500.

Want to Drill an Oil Well?

This issue of Arizona Geology notes areas with best potential for future discovery and describes the process of exploring and drilling for oil and gas in Arizona. It summarizes many aspects of the oil and gas exploration and production process incorporating geology, leasing, permitting, engineering (drilling and production), economics/business, environmental concerns, and regulatory responsibilities of an operator. This issue is a good primer for anyone wanting to drill a well in Arizona. Download Here Additional reports about oil and gas in Arizona are available online at the AZGS document repository by clicking here. Current articles about oil and gas are available in Arizona Geology Magazine by clicking here.

Arizona Has Helium

The current posted price of $67.75 per Mcf in-kind and $84.00 per Mcf open market has increased interest in the hunt for helium. Some of the richest helium-bearing gas in the world was produced in Arizona. Helium concentrations range from trace amounts up to ten percent in the Holbrook Basin and Four Corners. Both areas have good potential for additional discovery and production of helium. This potential was the focus of the Arizona Geology published in winter 2003. Download Here Additional reports about helium in Arizona are available online at the AZGS document repository by clicking here

Is Carbon Sequestration in Arizona's Future?

This issue of Arizona Geology (Download Here) describes potential geologic carbon-sequestration sites in Arizona. The West Coast Carbon Sequestration Partnership (WESTCARB) and Arizona Public Service (APS) tested one of the sites in 2009 (see announcements below). Results of additional sequestration investigations in Arizona are available online at the AZGS document repository by clicking here

Announcements

Annual oil and gas activity in Arizona

This compilation documents oil and gas activity in Arizona from 1959 through 2013 as recorded annually by staff or members of the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission.

AnnualActivity_2013.pdf
RMCCS drilled carbon sequestration test in Colorado

The RMCCS (Rocky Mountain Carbon Capture and Sequestration) partnership, which included the Arizona Geological Survey (AZGS), drilled a well to test the carbon sequestration potential of the Dakota, Entrada, and Weber Sandstones near Craig, Colorado in 2012. Click here to view the scientific results of that well. The AZGS published OFR-14-03 to describe the carbon storage potential of the Dakota, Entrada, and Cedar Mesa sandstones in Arizona. Click here for the latest National Carbon Sequestration Atlas.
A Geologist in Grand Canyon

Join geologist Steve Rauzi and a team of geoscientists as they conduct field work examining the Precambrian Chuar Group in Grand Canyon. The field work resulted in two AZGS publications; OFR-98-17 and OFR-02-01, which are available for download on the publications page.
U.S. Bureau of Land Management

The US BLM Amarillo Field Office posts price of 2014 Federal Crude Helium (click here for details).
Arizona Oil and Gas Well Viewer

Arizona oil and gas well information is now available online through our Arizona Oil and Gas Well Viewer. The Well Viewer is a user-friendly interactive search and download map. Click on the Online Data tab to open the Arizona Oil and Gas Well Viewer.
Arizona Potash Well Viewer

The Arizona Potash Well Viewer shows wells drilled since 2009 to obtain information about the potash deposit in the Holbrook Basin.
U.S. EPA's Study of Hydraulic Fracturing

At the request of Congress, EPA is conducting a study to better understand any potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water and ground water. The scope of the research includes the full lifespan of water in hydraulic fracturing. Follow the progress of the study and learn how you can get involved by clicking here.
WESTCARB drilled carbon sequestration test in Arizona

WESTCARB drilled a carbon sequestration test near the Cholla power plant west of Holbrook in 2010. Click here for drilling progress reports and a summary of drilling activity and geology penetrated at the site. The Arizona Geological Survey is investigating the carbon sequestration potential of deep Tertiary basins in Arizona as a part of the WESTCARB team. Click here for presentations at the WESTCARB 2012 Annual Meeting.
FracFocus is the national hydraulic fracturing chemical registry

FracFocus is a joint project of the Groundwater Protection Council and the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission. On this website you can search for well sites that have been hydraulically fractured to see what chemicals were used in the process. Click here to search for a well site near you.
Precambrian hydrocarbon source rock in Arizona:

AZGS OFR-98-17 and OFR-02-01 describe the hydrocarbon source-rock potential of the Precambrian Chuar Group in northern Arizona. The upper part of the Chuar Group contains a potential shale gas play in Arizona.
Oil, Gas and Helium in Arizona: Its Occurrence and Potential

This classic brochure published in 1961 has been out of print for many years but it is now available at the AZGS Document Repository.
OG-14 -

Well location map of the Pinta Dome-Navajo Springs-East Navajo Springs helium gas pools, is now free to download.

OG14 - Pinta Dome

Arizona Oil and Gas Conservation Commission