Marathon Oil to Pay Record Settlement Over Alleged Air Quality Violations

The $241.5 million settlement between Marathon Oil and the federal government was announced on Thursday to address alleged air quality violations at its oil and gas operations on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in North Dakota. This settlement, described by the federal agency as the largest of its kind, aims to significantly reduce emissions from over 200 facilities statewide. The agreement requires Marathon Oil to pay a $64.5 million civil penalty and implement compliance measures costing $177 million to reduce pollution. Despite not admitting liability over the allegations, Marathon Oil and the federal agencies involved agree that the settlement will prevent litigation and serve the public interest. The company, based in Houston, operates 169 well pads in North Dakota. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized the importance of this historic settlement in ensuring cleaner air for the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation and other communities in North Dakota. The compliance measures included in the settlement target the reduction of volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, and methane emissions, with a focus on completion by the end of 2024. Marathon Oil, as the nation’s 22nd largest oil producer, is expected to reduce its emissions by over 2.25 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalents over the next five years. This reduction is comparable to removing 487,000 cars from the road for one year. The settlement is the first of its kind against an oil and gas producer for alleged violations of major source emissions permitting requirements under the Clean Air Act’s Prevention of Significant Deterioration program. The EPA highlighted Marathon’s failure to obtain necessary permits, resulting in substantial illegal emissions. The compliance measures also include monitoring flaring activities, infrared camera inspections, and enhanced storage tank design requirements to mitigate emissions from existing and future facilities in the state. This settlement, filed with the U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota, Western Division, is subject to a 30-day public comment period. Please rewrite this sentence.

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