Land managers defer drilling near Carlsbad Caverns CARLSBAD, N.M. (AP) — Federal land managers have opted for more time to study the potential effects of oil and gas operations near Carlsbad Caverns National Park in southeastern New Mexico. A proposed lease sale first announced last spring had included more than two dozen parcels that were within 10 miles of the …

New Mexico delegates renew push to limit drilling ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Democratic members of New Mexico’s congressional delegation are renewing their pleas for federal land managers to limit oil and natural gas drilling in the northwestern corner of the state over concerns about archaeological and cultural sites that dot the region. U.S. Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and …

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The cost of drilling for oil and natural gas on public and tribal land went up slightly nationwide, thanks to a fee hike that took effect over the weekend. But New Mexico producers said Monday they are more worried about a continued backlog in the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s processing of permits. The delays are …