OCD Brine Wells Interactive Map

Active and inactive brine wells in the Permian Basin, New Mexico

A brine well is a solution mining operation to remove salt. Fresh water is introduced into the subsurface through a well casing, thereby dissolving the salt. The brine is then pumped out and trucked to well sites for beneficial use. Historically, there are a total of 32 permitted brine well operations in New Mexico associated with oil and gas development. The oldest of these wells date back to 1963. At present, there remain nine active brine facilities. This has been a relatively cost-effective means of producing brine though it can also be made directly at the point of use by mixing dry salt with water.

Oversight of brine wells by the Oil Conservation Division (OCD) is accomplished under provisions of the federal Underground Injection Control program and the New Mexico Water Quality Control Commission regulations. Both these enforcement mechanisms are concerned with the protection of groundwater.