The North Dakota Industrial Commission approved Thursday an industry proposal to delay further cuts to associated gas flaring until at least October 2016. The proposal, from the North Dakota Petroleum Council, is needed due to the lack of new gas capture and pipeline infrastructure, which have been delayed for a variety of reasons, including low oil and gas prices, right-of-way disputes and pad size limitations, the council argued. Under a state mandate the commission approved in 2014, operators were required to reach a set of benchmarks to limit flaring over time, including 15% by 2016 and 10% by 2020. Producers would face production curtailment penalties if they fail to meet those flaring reduction benchmarks. But according to the industry group, operators are unable to reach the upcoming 15% benchmark and want it pushed back to at least October 2016. The three-member commission, which includes North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple, […]