Opinion ID: 2509156
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 37

Heading: The definition of processing

Text: 121. The statute does not define processing facility. The statute does define processing: Processing means any activity occurring beyond the inlet to a natural gas processing facility that changes the well stream's physical or chemical characteristics, enhances the marketability of the stream, or enhances the value of the separate components of the stream. Processing includes, but is not limited to fractionation, absorption, adsorption, flashing, refrigeration, cryogenics, sweetening, dehydration within a processing facility, beneficiation, stabilizing, compression (other than production compression such as reinjection, wellhead pressure regulation or the changing of pressures and temperatures in a reservoir) and separation which occurs within a processing facility. Wyo. Stat. Ann. ง 39-14-201(a)(xviii). This is a more complex definition than one would expect for the root word of processing, which is process. The common meaning of process is a particular method of doing something, generally involving a number of steps or operations. Webster's New World College Dictionary (4th Edition 2001) p. 1144. 122. The Williams position rests on the premise that the existence of a processing facility may be determined by reference to the functions described and listed in the definition of processing. Storts testified that he was the original source of this position. Findings of Fact, ถ30. The position was later elaborated in detail by Williams' counsel in response to the preliminary audit findings. Findings of Fact, ถถ38-39. The difficulty with the Williams position is that Williams depends upon a circular reading of the statute. We conclude that a circular reading is not supported by the plain language of the statute. Our conclusion is supported when we read the definition of processing in pari materia with other provisions of the statute, as we must. Fall v. State, id., at 983; Parker Land & Cattle Co. v. Game and Fish, id., at 1042.