BLM’s Proposed Methane Rules from Oil and Gas Sites

In November 2022, the Bureau of Land Management released draft rules to stem the release of methane from oil and gas drilling on public lands. The proposed rules would mandate that operators maintain leak detection and repair plans for their operations on federal or Native American leases. BLM would also limit how much gas can be flared from a well site due to lack of pipeline to carry the gas to market — the primary reason companies cite for flaring on public lands.

Under the proposed rules, operators would be required to write methane waste minimization plans in their applications for drilling permits. BLM could delay or deny a permit to drill to avoid “unreasonable and undue waste,” in some cases, if waste minimization plans are deemed insufficient or operators do not improve them to BLM’s standards.

The proposed regulations would replace the BLM’s current requirements governing venting and flaring, which are more than four decades old.