- Southwestern Energy (SWN +8.4%) does not explicitly endorse new Obama administration regulations aimed at curbing the escape of methane gas from new wells and equipment, but it is among several prominent companies that agree that more methane controls are necessary, NY Times reports.
- SWN is helping to lead an industry group, One Future, which aims to reduce methane leakage to less than 1% of total U.S. gas production; other members of the group include Apache (APA +4.1%), BHP Billiton (BHP +3.1%), Hess (HES +4.1%) and Kinder Morgan (KMI +2.4%).
- SWN says the $14M it has spent on equipment, studies and other efforts to stem gas leaks has nearly paid for itself with the methane captured and sold.
- Others in the industry say new, more efficient extraction methods make additional oversight unnecessary and expensive, particularly given the sharp drop in natural gas prices in recent years.