The invention provide a method and apparatus for decreasing gas flow rates in a sole flue gas system for a coke oven during at least an initial coking operation after charging a coking oven with coal (43). The method includes providing a duct system (96, 98) between a first coke oven having a first coking chamber (18) and a second coke oven having a second coking chamber (18) to direct at least a portion of gas from a gas space (41) in first coking chamber (18) to the second coke oven thereby reducing a gas flow rate in the first sole flue gas system of the first coke oven. Reduction in sole flue gas flow rates has a beneficial effect on product throughput, the life of the coke oven and environmental control of volatile emissions from coke ovens.