ERG Helps EPA and DOJ Hold Polluters Accountable and Reduce Methane Emissions from Oil and Gas Operations with Historic Penalty Case

ERG provided technical engineering support to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Justice (DOJ), resulting in a $64.5 million settlement with Marathon Oil Company—the largest Clean Air Act stationary source penalty in history. The outcome of this settlement will reduce approximately 110,000 tons of harmful chemicals and methane gas emissions. This reduction will occur across approximately 170 oil and gas well pads owned and operated by the company on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in North Dakota.  

ERG supported EPA Region 8 by reviewing and summarizing permitting and compliance data and developing innovative data mining, compilation, and analysis routines for reviewing flare operating data. Zachary Good, a key project team member, shared his thoughts: “ERG’s project team supported EPA in the Marathon case for several years, with our support ranging from technical review of Clean Air Act permit application submissions through complex flare data review and analysis. Though this project was challenging, the incredibly positive outcomes that resulted from being able to assist EPA on this one made all that challenge worth it—and then some.” 

The terms of the settlement require Marathon Oil to invest approximately $177 million for extensive compliance measures such as obtaining the required permits and installing monitoring equipment and automated shut-in production for emission control. Additionally, to mitigate the impact of past emissions, Marathon Oil will provide two infrared cameras to the state Energy Division, construct low-emission well pads, retrofit venting devices, and replace flares to improve emission control. This case is part of an ongoing effort to reduce pollution through the EPA’s National Enforcement and Compliance Initiative to mitigate climate change. For more information, read EPA’s press release on this settlement.