EPA Seeks Comment on Methane and VOC White Papers

On April 15, 2014, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released five technical white papers for peer review, each one focusing on a possible source of methane and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions within the oil and natural gas sector.  The papers describe estimated emissions and techniques for reducing emissions from the following: compressors; hydraulically fractured oil well completions and associated gas during production; leaks; liquids unloading; and pneumatic devices.  The public has until June 16, 2014 to provide comments, which EPA will use in conjunction with the papers to develop a strategy to further reduce methane and VOC emissions pursuant to the Obama Administration’s Strategy to Reduce Methane Emissions revealed in March.