American Oil and Gas Reporter - July 2018 - 103

ConventionSection: Independent Petroleum Association of New Mexico
Winchester notes the proposed rules
include extensive, specific instructions for
site cleanup, long-term remediation and
closure. "The closure standards are so expensive, it will be difficult for some operators to ever meet them," he warns, adding
that it is unreasonable for an operator to
halt production for weeks at a time while
waiting for an inspector to visit the site.
Working through the dense, often
subtle language in a regulatory proposal
and then producing a thorough response
sometimes can be more than one trade
group can handle, Winchester considers.
That is one reason why IPANM has
worked on an agreement to work more
closely with the state's other industry
trade group, he says.
Strategic Alliance
As activity ramps up in New Mexico,
the state's two industry trade groups have
decided to form a strategic alliance to
promote and protect the oil and gas industry, Winchester reports.
Announced in December, the alliance
brings IPANM together with the New
Mexico Oil & Gas Association to "promote
an industry-friendly business and regu-

latory environment based on sound science," says NMOGA Executive Director
Ryan Flynn.
New Mexico's oil production is increasing so rapidly the state's output has
ascended to third in the country behind
Texas and North Dakota, ahead of Oklahoma and Alaska, indicates the U.S. Energy Information Administration's February production report.
"We are seeing big gains in production
every month," Winchester says. "Being
the country's number-three oil producer
speaks volumes about the level of interest
and the potential in the Permian basin."
"The alliance with NMOGA makes
so much sense," Chase affirms. "By working together, we can find ways to improve
safety and quality of life, even with all
the basin's ongoing changes."
According to the announcement, the
two associations remain operationally independent but "will work together on
strategic messaging for the public and
state legislature." Another indication of
the groups' close working relationship is
Chase's presence as a director on both
associations' boards. Shortly after Chase
concludes her term as IPANM president

at this year's convention, she will step
into a similar role as chairman of NMOGA, she mentions.
"I could not be more pleased with the
improved relationship between the two
associations," Chase relates. "We have
come a long way in repairing a relationship
that frankly, was not perfect. Now, we
are working together and building a
unified voice."
Each trade group has its own mission
and serves a different membership, she
observes. While NMOGA traditionally
has counted larger independents and even
major companies among its membership,
IPANM represents small independents,
local oil field service providers and consultants, she describes.
"Many IPANM members have spent
their whole lives in New Mexico," Chase
says. "This group provides a voice for
the independents where they could get
drowned out among the big companies."
Nevertheless, she notes, the industry
is confronting a number of unifying
challenges. "There are enough people
working against the industry that it is
important for us to have a united voice,"
she concludes.
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Winchester Leading IPANM Forward
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.- Jim Winchester says he is right where he wants
to be.
Appointed executive director of the
Independent Petroleum Association of
New Mexico in October, he observes that
since he came aboard, the association
has made strides by forging alliances
with other industry representatives and
connecting with policymakers.
"My mandate is to continue growing
our membership," Winchester notes. "With
all that is going on in New Mexico, this
is a great opportunity for producers to
come into our organization and get as involved as they want.
"The strength of our group means that
our members, large or small, have a powerful voice that is projected to our legislators
and federal and state regulators," he adds.
Winchester says he is proud of the informal but strong connection IPANM
made with the New Mexico Oil & Gas
Association shortly after he took the reins.
Both Winchester and NMOGA Executive Director Ryan Flynn worked for
the state during Governor Susana Mar-

tinez's administration. Winchester was
communications director for both the
New Mexico Environment Department
and for the Energy, Minerals and Natural
Resources Department; Flynn was Cabinet
Secretary of the NMED. After his stint
in state government, Winchester worked
as a communications manager in Boulder,
Co., but stayed in contact with Flynn.
Winchester says those conversations drew
him back to Mexico and the energy sector.
The former engineer turned television
reporter turned communications professional accepted the executive director position at IPANM last September.
Winchester acknowledges that he and
Flynn do not expect to see eye-to-eye on
every issue, but predicts their complementary perspectives usually should enable
strong teamwork. "We both have the
ability to step back and see the big picture
and how we are representing the interests
of our members and the industry as a
whole," Winchester assesses.
Late last year, leaders of the two organizations signed an informal memorandum of understanding that helps define

interaction between the two while assuring
transparency and recognizing differences
(see accompanying story). In one example
of their cooperation, IPANM and NMOGA
co-signed several letters to the U.S. Bureau
of Land Management that commented
on a variety of federal proposals that
would impact the state.
"When we cosign comment letters, it
gives us a stronger voice and shows a
united front as we make our case," Winchester observes. "That is very important
in the current, uncertain political climate."
IPANM president Claire Chase applauds Winchester's efforts at rebuilding
a connection between the two trade groups.
"Our relationship with NMOGA was
not perfect, and that did not help the industry," Chase acknowledges. "If we hope
to accomplish anything, we need a unified
voice, because there are enough people
out there working against us."
Chase says Winchester is the right
person for the job of being IPANM's top
staff member. "He brings the public relations and communications skills that are
so important," she affirms.
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