BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - North Dakota state regulators have lifted production restrictions on four oil companies they had penalized for burning off more natural gas than is allowed.
The North Dakota Oil and Gas Division sent a letter to Enerplus, OXY, QEP and Samson on Wednesday notifying them that an audit had found the companies captured more than the required 77 percent of natural gas during oil production in February.
The division had notified six companies in March that production limits would be imposed for not meeting the standards that took effect Jan. 1. It initially placed the restrictions on the companies after they captured less than 77 percent in January.
If the companies fail to meet the standards in the future, the division says restrictions will again be imposed.