On April 17, 2012, the Environmental Protection Agency issued final rules regarding air emissions from oil and gas production and related facilities. The rules attracted some publicity, especially a key "green completion " provi whose effective date the agency delayed until January 1, 2015.

While press reports may have left the impression that the EPA delayed all requirements of the new regulations until January 1, 2015, this is not the case—there are significant requirements that become effective in 2012. Others become effective in 2013. A producer that thinks it can ...