The U.S. Minerals Management Service is seeking to simplify the way oil and gas production is reported, in a complete rewrite of regulations for offshore operations, it was learned this week.

Proposed new rules aim to eliminate most restictions on production rates and clarify flaring and venting limits.

New proposals published in the Federal Register are expected to force the metering of flared gas on most installations and to help measure venting. Venting measured by infr-red equipped inspectors is deemed the villain.

"Since the impact of methane (venting) on the earth’s atmosphere is about 23 times greater than that of carbon dioxide (flaring), a small change in the ratio of flaring to venting could cause a disproportionate change in the impact of emissions," a statement said.

To improve data collection, operators will likely be asked to report flaring and venting volumes separately.

The Interior Department Agency seeks industry comment by 4 June 2007.