The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is expected to propose regulations which will be aimed at reducing methane emissions by between 40 and 45% from the oil and gas sector over the next decade.
The move is part of a wider strategy in place which is looking to reduce both greenhouse gases as well as combating climate change.
The proposed targets are also in line with an announcement in January by President Barack Obama when his administration said it wanted to reduce emissions by almost half.
Earlier this month, President Barack Obama revealed his final version of a plan to target greenhouse gases from coal-fired power plants.
He also announced a requirement for carbon emissions from the industry to be reduced by 32% from levels in 2005 by 2030.
