Utah’s oil and natural gas operators continue to demonstrate leadership in air quality stewardship through the Utah Petroleum Association’s Latch the Hatch program, a voluntary initiative focused on reducing volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions and supporting cleaner air in the Uintah Basin.

Now entering its fifth winter season, Latch the Hatch has grown to include 11 participating companies, representing approximately 95% of oil and natural gas production in the Basin. This reflects a 22% increase in participation, despite recent mergers and acquisitions across the region.

Participating companies commit to taking proactive steps to minimize emissions before and during winter ozone alerts. They can choose from a menu of actions according to what is most appropriate for their operations, such as ensuring that thief hatches are properly closed and sealed, maintaining durable gaskets, verifying that flares and combustors are lit, conducting leak detection and repair (LDAR) surveys, postponing activities that could increase emissions or conducting flyovers.

Collectively, participating companies have conducted tens of thousands of LDAR surveys, with hundreds of additional voluntary inspections planned for this ozone season. Many companies have also standardized the use of highly durable gaskets on their hatches, further reducing the potential for leaks and fugitive emissions.

These ongoing industry-led efforts have had a measurable impact, contributing to reduced VOC emissions during critical winter ozone periods while reinforcing the industry’s commitment to responsible operations and environmental stewardship.

As one of the most collaborative environmental programs in the region, Latch the Hatch continues to serve as a model for how voluntary initiatives can deliver real, lasting benefits for Utah’s air quality and the communities where we operate.