Energy & Science

Texas Oil Body Makes It a Little Harder for Wells to Flare Gas

  • Railroad Commission shortens flaring window for a Permian well
  • Commissioner says alternatives should be sought to avoid waste

A flare in the oil fields surrounding Midland, Texas.

Photographer: Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg
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Getting a permit to burn excess natural gas at Texas oil wells is getting a little bit harder.

Texas Railroad Commissioners limited an oil driller to flaring gas for just one year as opposed to the two years it sought at a meeting Tuesday. The commission approved 31 other requests from oil and gas companies, including five more to flare gas, without any changes.