Colorado regulators on Friday (Dec. 17) approved a set of rules designed to curb emissions of climate-warming methane and smog-causing volatile organic compounds (VOC) from oil and gas operations. The rules mandate “the capture or control of a significant portion” of methane emissions from oil and gas production sites, pipeline operations and midstream facilities; expanded…
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New Mexico Natural Gas Waste Rules in Effect, with First Phase Set to Begin in October
New Mexico’s oil and natural gas operators would be required to capture 98% of their gas waste by the end of 2026 under rules that took effect Tuesday. The Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department’s Oil Conservation Division (OCD) officially enacted the rule following two years of stakeholder outreach and technical research. The final rules…

EU Firms Up Green Investment Criteria, with Natural Gas Considered Later
The European Commission on Wednesday punted the question of natural gas as an energy transition fuel down the road as it moved closer to making official criteria for what it considers a “green” investment. The College of Commissioners reached a political agreement on the European Union (EU) Taxonomy Climate Delegated Act, which aims to provide…
PHMSA Issues Three Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Rules
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has issued three final rules designed to strengthen the safety of onshore natural gas transmission and hazardous liquid pipelines.
Colorado County Says New Oil, Gas Regulations Balanced but Industry Disagrees
Oil and gas industry groups in Colorado were swift in rebuking rules adopted this week by Adams County, describing them as “unreasonable” and “hasty.”

North Dakota Revises Oil, Gas Rules for Spills, Royalty Information
North Dakota’s three-member Industrial Commission (IC) on Monday unanimously approved final oil and natural gas administrative rule changes, which include requirements to notify authorities about spills, site assessments and royalty information.
Colorado Readies Overhaul of Oil, NatGas Flowline Rules
Colorado regulators have outlined plans governing oversight of oil and natural gas flowlines, updated regulations which could be ready for final adoption later this year.
Six Groups Sue EPA Over Stay of Oil, Natural Gas Methane Rules
A coalition of six conservation groups filed a lawsuit against U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt, after he ordered a 90-day halt over parts of proposed rules governing new sources of methane emissions from the oil and natural gas industry.
Appellate Court Grants Trump Administration Request to Delay Cases Over Methane Rules
An appellate court granted the Trump administration’s request to delay a series of lawsuits over proposed rules governing new sources of methane emissions from the oil and natural gas industry, giving the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) more time to review the rules.
Researchers Say EPA Overestimated Cost, Effectiveness of Methane Rules
Researchers from Stanford University said the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) overestimated how much it would cost the oil and gas industry to monitor and repair methane leaks at its facilities, and how many leaks would be found, when it updated embattled rules governing emissions last year.