Colorado regulators have given preliminary approval to a rule change that would make it the first Lower 48 state to prohibit routine venting and flaring of natural gas by upstream operators.*

Emissions

The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) last week voted 5-0 in favor of the Rule 903 changes, which are to go before the commission for a final vote on Nov. 20.

Colorado Oil and Gas Association President Dan Haley, whose group represents most of the state’s producers, said the rule change is unnecessary as flaring and venting is minimal.

“The national average for venting and flaring in oil and natural gas producing states is 4.75%, but Colorado operators are 24 times below that national average,” said Haley. He added that operators in the state flared or vented...