Big U.S. gas producing states fan prorationing controversy

This paper reports that the biggest gas producing states in the U.S. are embracing wholesale changes in prorationing rules. And their actions have stirred controversy and warnings among key energy lawmakers in Washington. The Texas Railroad Commission last week unanimously approved new rules for setting production volumes for gas wells. Texas is the country's No. 1 gas producer. TRC commissioners eliminated a system that prorated production based on monthly nominations by gas purchasers. The Office of Conservation in Louisiana, No. 2 ranked producer, recently conducted a hearing on a prorationing proposal supported by Gov. Edwin Edwards. Conservation Commissioner Herbert W. Thompson is expected to disclose the state's plans by the end of this month. No. 3 Oklahoma enacted a law last March restricting production from unallocated wells in the 4 winter months to the greater of 1 MMcfd or 40% of the calculated absolute open flow and the rest of the year to the greater of 750 Mcfd or 25% of the calculated absolute open flow