Texas oil and gas industry launches coalition to minimize methane gas flaring

Nearly 40 Texas energy companies announced this week the creation and formation of the Texas Methane and Flaring Coalition, a group created to work on environmental progress.

Based in Austin,the Coalition said it would collectively identify and promote operational and environmental recommended practices.

The Coalition will evaluate existing data and evidence on flaring and methane emissions from the industry in Texas and develop opportunities and recommendations to continue to minimize these practices. Specifically, the Coalition’s objectives are to:

  • Develop recommendations that will improve data quality for accuracy and consistency in reporting vented and flared volumes.
  • Define why and when flaring is necessary and communicate the environmental and safety reasons that may necessitate flaring.
  • Identify, assess, and recommend opportunities and best practices to minimize methane emissions and flaring.
  • Evaluate existing studies and summarize findings.

Coalition members have developed a website with resources and information for stakeholders, legislators and regulators, and the general public who are seeking to gain a better understanding of these issues. The website will be updated frequently as the Coalition develops and implements its objectives, findings and recommendations.

The vast majority of Coalition members are participating in other initiatives to improve environmental performance, including The Environmental Partnership, The Oil & Gas Methane Partnership, the New Mexico Oil & Gas Association Methane Mitigation Roadmap, among others, demonstrating the industry and individual companies’ commitment to advancing solutions to environmental concerns.

Members of the Coalition include:

  • The Panhandle Producers & Royalty Owners Association (PPROA)
  • The Permian Basin Petroleum Association (PBPA)
  • The South Texas Energy & Economic Roundtable (STEER)
  • The Texas Alliance of Energy Producers (The Alliance)
  • The Texas Independent Producers & Royalty Owners Association (TIPRO)
  • The Texas Oil & Gas Association (TXOGA)
  • The Texas Pipeline Association (TPA)
  • Nearly 40 Texas oil and natural gas companies

The formation of the coalition drew immediate support from the American Petroleum Institute.

 

Source: Texas Methane and Flaring Association