So back drop: I am an oil and gas engineer for a mid size operator. This move makes a lot of sense since EPA is looking to come up with new regulations that include ZERO Flaring policy. For those that don't know, facilities in charge of separation of the crude into oil, gas, and water, sell their products to midstream companies. In the case of gas, the transferable product is limited by pipeline capacity. When the pressure goes up, flares start burning the excess gas. Well, the only way to not flare when the pipeline pressure increases is to shut down (if the pipeline tie in is not rated for higher pressures, i.e. 600# ANSI Rating). If production is bottled down due to high pipeline pressure, the government HAS to artificially reduce the consumption of natural gas to maintain prices lower. Supply-demand kinda deal. Well unfortunately the buck doesn't stop with natural gas, it trickles down to the cost of the crude directly (due to the crude product decline by consequence of gas bottling production). If EPA proceeds with that policy, there will be measurable spike in energy prices (again). Beware.

I wish people would quit using the term "fossil fuels." They are not formed from dead dinosaurs or plants. Look at the list of elements present in each.