Several oil and gas companies and trade associations in Texas recently formed a coalition to work together to minimize flaring and methane emissions.
Known as the Texas Methane and Flaring Coalition, the new group will collectively identify and promote operational and environmental recommended practices, according to a release on March 31.
Flaring, or deliberately burning gas produced alongside oil, has surged with crude production in Texas—the biggest oil-producing state in the U.S. In the Permian Basin, the largest U.S. shale basin which is located in both Texas and New Mexico, flaring and venting totaled about 293.2 billion cubic feet last year, according to state regulatory data compiled by independent energy researcher Rystad—up about 7% from 2018.
Texas also regularly allows companies to burn or vent gas in excess of regulations. It has issued more than 35,000 flaring permits since 2013 and has not denied any, according to a Reuters report citing the state commission.
The new group plans to evaluate existing data and evidence on flaring and methane emissions from the industry in Texas and develop opportunities and recommendations to minimize these practices.
In addition to nearly 40 oil and gas companies in Texas, members of the coalition include:
- Panhandle Producers & Royalty Owners Association (PPROA);
- Permian Basin Petroleum Association (PBPA);
- South Texas Energy & Economic Roundtable (STEER);
- Texas Alliance of Energy Producers;
- Texas Independent Producers & Royalty Owners Association (TIPRO);
- Texas Oil & Gas Association (TXOGA); and
- Texas Pipeline Association (TPA).
The identity of the oil and gas companies was not disclosed.
RELATED:
Texas Regulator Names Companies With Highest Flaring Rate
Last month, Scott Sheffield, CEO of Permian producer Pioneer Natural Resources Co., called on energy investors to sell shares or pull funding from companies that have rates of natural gas flaring.
Other executives that have spoken out against high flaring rates include Matt Gallagher, CEO of Parsley Energy Inc., and the head of Royal Dutch Shell Plc’s Permian Basin operations, Amir Gerges.
Reuters contributed to this report.
Recommended Reading
Energy Transition in Motion (Week of April 19, 2024)
2024-04-19 - Here is a look at some of this week’s renewable energy news, including the latest on global solar sector funding and M&A.
Eversource to Sell Sunrise Wind Stake to Ørsted
2024-04-19 - Eversource Energy said it will provide service to Ørsted and remain contracted to lead the onshore construction of Sunrise following the closing of the transaction.
Exclusive: Building Battery Value Chain is "Vital" to Energy Transition
2024-04-18 - Srini Godavarthy, the CEO of Li-Metal, breaks down the importance of scaling up battery production in North America and the traditional process of producing lithium anodes, in this Hart Energy Exclusive interview.
High Interest Rates a Headwind for the Energy Transition
2024-04-18 - Persistent high interest rates will make transitioning to a net zero global economy much harder and more costly, according to Wood Mackenzie Head of Economics Peter Martin.
Scotland Ditches 2030 Climate Target to Cut Emissions by 75%
2024-04-18 - Scotland was constrained by cuts to the capital funding it receives from the British government and an overall weakening of climate ambition by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, said Mairi McAllan, the net zero secretary for Scotland's devolved government.