In oil-rich west Texas, shale producers and pipeline owner Williams Company are fighting over whether new “burning off of natural gas” permits should be approved. It is a battle between companies that are usually aligned.
Flaring happens primarily when there is insufficient pipeline capacity to carry natural gas from wellheads to natural gas markets. Allowing the gas to build up at the derrick is a serious safety risk. Even though Williams already has an extensive pipeline network in western Texas, it is insufficient to match the soaring natural gas production resulting from fracking.