Many people might not realize how far a reach the oil and gas industry has — this is where Missi Currier comes into play.
As the CEO of New Mexico Oil and Gas Association, Currier told the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors on April 24 that her job won’t be done until every person realizes that the industry is part of their daily lives.
Currier said there are three areas of the industry:
- Upstream – represents the process and companies that are pulling the natural resources out of the ground.
- Midstream – represents the companies or process of moving the resources.
- Downstream – represents the companies or process of refining it.
She said the three areas of the industry come together to create items such as vehicles; construction materials; fuels; household, medical, office and beauty products; furniture; electronics and toys, just to name a few.
And then there’s the funding from the industry’s revenue stream to state coffers. For an example, Currier picked Bernalillo County and shared that the oil and gas industry contributed $13 billion in 2024.
“The funds went to infrastructure, education, capital outlay projects and higher education,” she said. And yet, “during this year’s legislative session, there were over 25 bills that were written to impact the oil and gas industry. NMOGA implemented six dedicated campaigns targeting high-priority legislation.”
Currier said it took a team effort (including close work with Chamber President and CEO Terri Cole) to successfully fight those bills; four passed with oil and gas friendly amendments.
She said it’s important to keep the industry growing as technology is finding new ways to push it to be cleaner.
Currier presented these facts about the New Mexico oil and gas industry:
- New Mexico is the second-largest oil producing state in America
- 13% of all U.S. crude oil is produced in New Mexico
- New Mexico is the fifth-largest natural gas producing state in America
- Production takes place in the San Juan Basin and Permian Basin
- The industry brings in $13.26 billion annually
- $7.4 billion goes to New Mexico’s general fund