Two oil majors, BP and Shell, have urged Texas regulators to end the routine flaring of natural gas, joining other large investors who want greater oversight of the harmful environmental practice. Routine flaring refers to the burning of gas during normal operations. Most operators and regulators also reserve the right to flare during emergency situations.
BP Plc and Royal Dutch Shell plc are calling for tougher rules than those proposed by the Railroad Commission of Texas, which regulates oil and gas in the state. The commission is considering requiring operators to disclose more data when they apply for flaring permits and issuing them for shorter periods. In the letter, BP and Shell didn’t set a date for ending routine flaring but called for improvements from operators, improved flaring data, more oversight and collaboration with pipeline operators.
Image: Alberta Energy Regulator.