BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - The North Dakota Oil and Gas Division ordered five oil companies to reduce their production in the state as a penalty for flaring more gas than allowed.
Division spokeswoman Alison Ritter tells the Bismarck Tribune that this is the largest number of companies and wells the state has sanctioned since new restrictions took effect on January 1st. The new rules require companies to capture at least 77 percent of natural gas produced during oil production.
The five companies were ordered this month to reduce production to 100 barrels per day at certain wells or risk facing daily penalties.
The division restricted wells for Emerald Oil, Occidental Petroleum Corporation, QEP, Abraxas Petroleum and Enerplus.