Several oil and gas companies and trade associations in Texas recently formed a coalition to work together to minimize flaring and methane emissions.

Known as the Texas Methane and Flaring Coalition, the new group will collectively identify and promote operational and environmental recommended practices, according to a release on March 31.

Flaring, or deliberately burning gas produced alongside oil, has surged with crude production in Texas—the biggest oil-producing state in the U.S. In the Permian Basin, the largest U.S. shale basin which is located in both Texas and New Mexico, flaring and venting totaled about 293.2 billion cubic feet last year, according to state regulatory data compiled by independent energy researcher Rystad—up about 7% from 2018.

Texas also regularly allows companies to burn or vent gas in excess of regulations. It has issued more than 35,000 flaring permits since 2013 and has not denied any, according to a Reuters report citing the state commission.

The new group plans to evaluate existing data and evidence on flaring and methane emissions from the industry in Texas and develop opportunities and recommendations to minimize these practices.

In addition to nearly 40 oil and gas companies in Texas, members of the coalition include:

  • Panhandle Producers & Royalty Owners Association (PPROA);
  • Permian Basin Petroleum Association (PBPA);
  • South Texas Energy & Economic Roundtable (STEER);
  • Texas Alliance of Energy Producers;
  • Texas Independent Producers & Royalty Owners Association (TIPRO);
  • Texas Oil & Gas Association (TXOGA); and
  • Texas Pipeline Association (TPA).

The identity of the oil and gas companies was not disclosed.

RELATED:

Texas Regulator Names Companies With Highest Flaring Rate

Last month, Scott Sheffield, CEO of Permian producer Pioneer Natural Resources Co., called on energy investors to sell shares or pull funding from companies that have rates of natural gas flaring.

Other executives that have spoken out against high flaring rates include Matt Gallagher, CEO of Parsley Energy Inc., and the head of Royal Dutch Shell Plc’s Permian Basin operations, Amir Gerges.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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