The oil and gas division of North Dakota’s Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) is planning a public hearing later this month for input on newly adopted Industrial Commission policy to reduce the amount of gas flaring at the wellhead.

The three-member commission, made up of the governor, attorney general and agricultural commissioner, has set the hearing for April 22 in Bismarck. Amendments are to be considered for Bakken/Three Forks formation pool restrictions on oil production.

“Commissioners also will consider any additional steps to reduce flaring,” DMR said. The industry and commission have outlined new rules regarding flaring (see Shale Daily, Jan. 30), which took effect last month (see Shale Daily, March 13).

Several issues that the commission is expected to consider at the hearing include:

  • Maximum length of time wells should be allowed to produce while flaring;
  • Production rate restrictions for wells connected to gas gathering or for beneficial uses;
  • Administrative approval of production restriction exemptions;
  • Air quality considerations related to production rates/restrictions;
  • Production rates/restrictions based on well economics and the percentage of gas captured by a well site, field pool, region or operator; and
  • Assigning production rates for wells not connected to gas gathering or for beneficial uses.

Comments may be submitted via email until 5 p.m. CDT April 21 to brkadrmas@nd.gov.