The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is preparing to propose new changes to oil and gas emission regulations for 2024. This proposal includes reforms for marginal wells, associated gases, and the super emitter program.
Details of the New Proposal
Lee Zeldin, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, announced at the annual New Mexico Oil and Gas Association meeting in Santa Fe that this proposal will be released in the coming days. This new phase in the EPA's review of the 2024 oil and gas regulations, publicly known as OOOOb/c, emphasizes.
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The EPA estimates that the proposed changes will result in approximately $45 billion in savings, although the supporting details for this estimate will be provided alongside the future proposal.
Changes to Marginal Wells and the Super Emitter Program
Among the proposed changes, the EPA intends to suggest a new approach for marginal wells. The agency has stated that it will also propose two options for creating separate categories of well sites with appropriate standards for each category.
Additionally, the EPA plans to eliminate the super emitter program, citing identified legal concerns with the program and its lack of necessity to meet the requirements of the Clean Air Act.
The agency will also review requirements related to gases associated with oil wells. The proposed changes aim to provide a compliance approach that can be applied in various production areas.
Additional changes are expected in coverage and closed systems, as well as in control device requirements, with a proposal to separate design and operational requirements. Reforms in the provisions of control devices will also be made to provide greater flexibility for deviations in flame monitoring data, control device alerts, and visible emission testing conditions.
The upcoming proposal is part of a broader EPA review of the 2024 regulations related to emissions from oil and gas operations. The agency has stated that concerns raised by producers and operators regarding compliance requirements have influenced the review process.
This proposal has not yet been officially released, and the provisions raised by the EPA are under federal legislative process.
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