EPA Proposes Major Revisions to Oil and Natural Gas Emissions Rules: What Operators Need to Know

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a proposed rule that would significantly revise the Biden administration’s 2024 oil and natural gas emissions standards under the Clean Air Act, commonly known as OOOOb/c. For upstream, midstream and natural gas operators, the proposal could reshape compliance obligations related to methane monitoring, flaring, emissions control equipment and well site classifications.

While these changes are only proposed and not yet final, companies should begin evaluating how potential revisions could affect emissions management programs, leak detection requirements, operating costs and long-term compliance strategies

What Is Changing?

According to EPA, the proposal is part of a broader reconsideration of the 2024 rule and is intended to address concerns raised by industry stakeholders regarding implementation challenges and regulatory burden. EPA estimates the proposed revisions could reduce compliance costs by approximately $45 billion while increasing domestic oil and natural gas production.

Several proposed changes could have a direct impact on operators.

1. New Well Site Categories

One of the most significant proposals would create separate regulatory categories for different types of well sites. EPA is evaluating two approaches:

• Categorizing sites as marginal or non-marginal producers based on production levels.
• Categorizing sites as conventional or unconventional production operations.

The agency’s goal is to establish requirements that better reflect the operational realities of different asset types rather than applying a single regulatory framework across all wells.

2. Elimination of the Super Emitter Program

EPA is proposing to rescind the Super Emitter Program established under the 2024 rule. The program allowed certified third parties to identify and report large methane emission events to EPA and operators.

Under the proposal, EPA would remove these third-party reporting requirements, citing concerns about the program’s legal and practical implementation. The agency states that existing monitoring programs and operator reporting requirements provide sufficient mechanisms for identifying and addressing significant emissions events.

3. Revisions to Associated Gas Requirements

The proposal would modify requirements governing associated gas generated at oil wells. EPA is considering restoring the use of flares and other control devices capable of achieving 95% emissions reduction efficiency as an acceptable compliance method in situations where routing gas to a sales line may not be feasible.

For many operators, this could provide additional operational flexibility compared to the 2024 requirements.

4. Updates to Emissions Control Equipment Standards

EPA is also proposing changes related to:

• Covers and closed vent systems
• Control device monitoring requirements
• Optical gas imaging (OGI) survey requirements
• Equipment leak monitoring
• Storage vessel requirements
• Process controllers and pumps
• Gas processing facilities

The agency says these revisions are intended to improve practical implementation and compliance flexibility while maintaining emissions control requirements under the Clean Air Act.

What Happens Next?

The proposal is currently undergoing the federal rulemaking process and remains subject to public comment before it can be finalized. EPA has established December 16, 2026 as the public comment deadline and plans to hold a virtual public hearing on November 13, 2026.

Because the rule is not yet final, existing regulatory obligations remain in effect unless and until EPA adopts revisions through the formal rulemaking process. Operators should continue complying with current requirements while monitoring developments closely.

What Should Operators Do Now?

Even though the proposal may ultimately change before being finalized, operators can take several proactive steps today:

Review Current Compliance Programs

Evaluate existing methane monitoring, LDAR, emissions inventory and reporting programs to identify areas that could be affected by the proposed revisions. Understanding your current compliance posture will make future transitions easier if changes are adopted.

Assess Asset Classifications

Operators with large portfolios should consider how assets may be categorized under either of EPA’s proposed well-site classification approaches. This can help identify facilities that could be subject to different requirements in the future.

Monitor Regulatory Developments

The proposal is expected to generate significant feedback from industry groups, environmental organizations and state regulators. Tracking the public comment process can provide insight into which provisions are most likely to be modified before finalization.

Maintain Data Quality

Regardless of the final rule outcome, accurate operational, emissions and asset data remain foundational to regulatory compliance. Strong data governance and geospatial asset management programs help operators adapt more quickly to changing regulatory requirements.

How Altamira Can Help

Regulatory change often creates uncertainty, particularly for organizations managing large asset inventories across multiple operating areas. Altamira helps energy companies navigate evolving environmental requirements through integrated environmental consulting, GIS, data management and regulatory compliance services.

Our team can assist with:

• Emissions data management and reporting programs
• Asset inventories and geospatial data validation
• Regulatory gap assessments
• Environmental compliance program development
• LDAR and methane management support
• Permitting and regulatory strategy
• Enterprise GIS and data integration initiatives
• Workflow optimization and compliance tracking

As EPA continues its reconsideration of OOOOb/c, operators that maintain accurate asset data, documented compliance processes and strong environmental governance programs will be best positioned to adapt to whatever final requirements emerge.

For organizations seeking to understand how these proposed changes may affect their compliance programs, Altamira can help evaluate impacts, identify risks and develop strategies that support both operational efficiency and regulatory compliance.

Contact Laura Worth Lodes today at [email protected] to learn more.