State Land Office in New Mexico said last week it will allow crude oil and natural gas producers to temporarily stop production on state lands without penalty as the coronavirus pandemic and global price conflict continue. Ryan Flynn, executive director of New Mexico Oil and Gas Association, said, “The emergency rule to allow lessees to voluntarily curb production is a prudent and necessary step amid a historic drop in the global demand for energy. This temporary rule will help preserve the long-term value of resources on state trust lands for both the state and energy producers.”