The Arizona Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (AZOGCC) has the statutory responsibility to regulate the drilling for and production of oil, gas, helium, carbon dioxide, and geothermal resources. It consists of six members appointed by the Governor and one ex-officio member, the State Land Commissioner. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality provides administrative and staff support. Current Commission members include Frank Thorwald, Sun City, Chairman; J. Dale Nations, Vice Chairman, Tucson; William C. Feyerabend, Prescott Valley, F. Michael Conway, James (Jim) Ballard; and Robyn Sahid, ex-officio member and State Land Commissioner.
The scope of AZOGCC's responsibilities includes:
- Conduct regular Commission meetings and special hearings
- Review applications for permits to drill, and approve if properly completed
- Inspect wells for compliance, both during drilling and after completion
- Monitor oil, gas, geothermal, and helium drilling activities
- Provide information to the exploration and development communities and the public
Our History
- 1927 the first act was passed by the State Legislature. The act provided for the conservation of oil and gas and regulation of oil and gas wells, to be administered by the State Land Commissioner.
- In 1951, the Oil and Gas Conservation Act was passed at the legislature's session following the discovery and production of oil or gas in the State, creating the AZOGCC.
- 1959 AzOGCC became a stand-alone state agency with the powers and duties being transferred from the State Land Commissioner
- 1972 AZOGCC was given jurisdiction over geothermal resources.
- 1978 AZOGCC was given jurisdiction over class II injection wells.
- 1991 AZOGCC was attached administratively to the Arizona Geological Survey in Tucson
- 2018 AzOGCC was attached administratively to the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
