Washington—US oil and natural gas producers are bracing for new fracking rules set to take effect this week, but a decision by a federal judge could delay them indefinitely. Attorney Mark Barron, who is representing two industry groups in a lawsuit challenging the new rules, said he expected Judge Scott Skavdahl of the US District Court of Wyoming to rule on their injunction request to delay implementation. Skavdahl is to hear the case on June 23. The industry groups have requested the rules be suspended until their court challenge against them is resolved, said Barron, with the law firm of Baker & Hostetler. If the judge rules against the injunction, the new fracking regulatory regime is expected to be imposed on June 24.
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