In this FAQ, we've put together some commonly asked questions to give you more information about gas flaring and the "Zero Routine Flaring by 2030" (ZRF) Initiative.
You can also find more general information about the wasteful practice of gas flaring on the Global Gas flaring Reduction Partnership (GGFR) website, and its gas flaring explained section.
The bulk of natural gas produced is " non-associated" gas, i.e., gas produced from gas fields and not related to oil production. “Associated gas" is a by-product of oil production. Associated gas can be used to produce electricity or in other productive ways, or sometimes conserved by re-injection
Published natural gas production data is not specified by type - associated vs non-associated gas. An estimate, based on a compilation of gas flaring volumes at the majority of oil fields in the world, is that approximately 20 percent of produced natural gas is associated gas.
In 2019, gas represented about 24 percent of total energy usage. Oil represented 33 percent, coal represented 27 percent, nuclear, hydro, and renewables represented the remaining 16 percent (From BP Statistics 2020).
Associated gas is flared because of technical, regulatory, or economic constraints. A significant financial investment is often associated with harnessing, processing, and transporting the gas to viable markets, particularly when gas flare "sites" are far away from any existing form of transport or infrastructure. To end all existing routine flaring, the cost could be as much as $100 billion.
In other cases, market conditions may be unfavorable (gas price; non-paying consumers). Furthermore, gas can sometimes be flared for lack of priority, even when economic utilization options exist.
Flared gas, primarily associated gas, is very similar to the natural gas used worldwide for power generation, as feedstock for the manufacture of chemicals, distributed to homes, etc. However, it requires processing to remove contaminants before it can be used in these ways. Associated gas can also be used on-site for generating electricity, compressed or liquefied for transportation as CNG or LNG respectively, or converted into liquid form (e.g., synthetic oil, diesel, methanol, DME) by using gas-to-liquid (GTL) technologies. Recent developments in GTL technologies have significantly reduced their cost, making them more suitable for small volumes. Nevertheless, GTL technologies are in some cases at an early stage of development and may still not be economically viable, especially at low oil prices (<~U$ 50/bbl). Associated gas can also sometimes be re-injected into the oil reservoir to increase oil production, or for storage or disposal.
Flaring also occurs at some gas processing plants, LNG terminals, oil refineries, and in the petrochemical industry. However, over 90% of global gas flaring takes place at oil and gas production facilities.
At the majority of gas fields, there is little routine flaring. However, a relatively small number of gas fields contain gas with significant volumes of heavier hydrocarbons that are extracted from the produced gas and sold. While in many cases, the lighter components, methane and ethane, are then re-injected into the reservoir, in some cases these components are flared. This type of flaring is arguably worse than flaring from oil fields because a larger portion of the overall hydrocarbon production is being flared.
Routine flaring of gas is flaring during normal oil production operations in the absence of sufficient facilities or amenable geology to re-inject the produced gas, utilize it on-site, or dispatch it to a market.
At oil and gas production facilities, in addition to "routine flaring," there is also "safety flaring" and "non-routine flaring." The Global Gas Flaring Reduction Partnership (GGFR) has published definitions of all three types of flaring.
The proportions depend very much on the level of utilization of the associated gas. For example, in some countries where utilization is very high, there is negligible routine flaring and nearly all flaring is non-routine or safety-related. Conversely, in other countries where significant routine flaring still takes place, it is estimated to represent about 65-85 percent of the total. Safety flaring is normally a very small part of the total gas flared.
Gas flaring takes place at nearly every oil production facility in the world; satellite data currently identifies over 10,000 flaring locations globally. However, in many cases, the volumes being flared are very small. Some flaring is almost always necessary to maintain the safe operation of the facility.
Satellite data compiled and analyzed for GGFR’s 2022 Global Gas Flaring Tracker Report shows that 144 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas was flared at oil and gas production sites last year. Ten oil-producing and flaring countries accounted for 50 percent of global oil production and three-quarters of all gas flaring, seven of which—Russia, Iraq, Iran, the United States, Venezuela, Algeria, and Nigeria—have remained the top seven consistently over the last ten years.
Venting is when associated gas is released into the atmosphere unburnt. Gas flaring results in more than 400 million tons of CO2-equivalent emissions every year. Venting is significantly worse than flaring, as unburnt methane emissions have a Global Warming Potential 25 times worse than the same mass of CO2 emissions on a 100-year basis, and over 80 times worse on a 20-year basis.
Each cubic meter of associated gas flared results in about 2.8 kilograms of CO2e emissions. With global flaring levels estimated at approximately 144 bcm in 2021, this resulted in about 400 million tons of CO2-equivalent emissions annually. This figure assumes a flare combustion efficiency of 98 percent (i.e. about 2 percent un-combusted gas leaking into the atmosphere); flare efficiency can be significantly lower depending on various conditions such as wind and gas composition.
Global CO2 emissions from fossil-fuel combustion in 2018 was 37 billion tonnes. Flaring emissions of CO2 are estimated to be about 400 million tonnes i.e. about 1 percent of the total. Flaring gas is, however, totally unproductive, and can be avoided far more easily than much of the other CO2 emissions. The gas could be put to good use and potentially displace other fuels, e.g. coal and diesel, that generate higher emissions per energy unit.
Since flares do not burn all the gas sent to a flare, emission of methane does occur during gas flaring. Under ideal conditions, the most efficient flares combust about 98 percent of the gas, but some flares, operating much less efficiently, may combust as little as 60-70 percent of the gas. While the other gas components, ethane, butane, propane etc. make a negligible contribution to climate change if they remain unburnt, unburnt methane can contribute significantly to the flares' greenhouse gas emissions.
In some flares the hydrocarbons are only partly burnt, and some of their carbon content is emitted as grains of black carbon (soot). This occurs when there is insufficient mixing of the gas with oxygen in the air to complete the combustion process. Black carbon production is exacerbated when the gas being burnt contains significant liquid hydrocarbon in droplet form.
Black carbon, or soot, is a very significant "short-lived climate change forcer," i.e., it makes a significant contribution to climate change but only briefly as it is rapidly removed from the atmosphere by natural processes such as rain. By contrast, CO2 has a very long life in the atmosphere. Reducing black carbon emissions could, therefore, make a significant and rapid contribution to climate change mitigation. Flaring in and near the Arctic is of particular concern because black carbon, or soot, deposits on the Arctic snow and ice cap, severely reducing its reflective power (albedo) and accelerating the melting of the ice and snow.
According to an academic article, in 2013 (latest estimate) gas flaring emissions contributed about 42 percent of the annual mean black carbon surface concentrations in the Arctic.
Eleven countries included flaring reduction in their NDCs prior to the 2015 United Nations climate conference (COP21). They were Algeria, Bahrain, China, Ecuador, Egypt, Gabon, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Oman, Saudi Arabia. Many more could address flaring to help meet NDC commitments. 40 countries produced more than 100,000 barrels of oil/day in 2019.
Yes. The Initiative pertains to routine flaring at oil production facilities, defined as flaring that occurs during the normal production of oil, and in the absence of sufficient facilities to utilize the gas on-site, dispatch it to a market, or re-inject it. The typical example this Initiative addresses is long-term continuous flaring for gas disposal where a gas market or injection capacity does not exist. The Initiative does not include non-routine flaring events. These can include: exploration and appraisal; initial well flow-back; well servicing; process upset; safety or emergency situations; equipment or gas handling infrastructure malfunction; or de-pressuring equipment for maintenance. The Initiative also excludes purge and pilot flaring necessary for safe flare operation, combustion of hazardous or polluting emissions, such as volatile organic compounds and hydrogen sulphide. Some flare gas sources (e.g. glycol treatment facilities, produced water treatment facilities) are so small and at such low pressure that it is environmentally more beneficial to utilize resources to reduce other flaring sources and other types of emission.
The Initiative asks oil companies and governments to end ongoing routine flaring as soon as possible where it is economic to do so, and no later than by 2030. The actions needed to stop routine flaring are far-reaching and take considerable time and resources to plan and execute properly.
The Initiative sets clear targets for the future. GGFR's role is not to set such targets, but to facilitate flaring reduction activities to help meet the 2030 target. GGFR has an active work program in developing countries to reduce routine gas flaring, while deploying the associated gas for productive use, for example for energy access.
In some instances, this also means working with governments to develop the fundamentals, such as proper flare measurement practices, before the new policies and regulatory measures are developed.
GGFR is a global partnership and it is up to the individual members to decide whether or not to endorse the Initiative. Almost all partners have already done so; those that have yet to endorse are still engaged in internal deliberations and assessment.
A majority of major oil-producing countries are expected to endorse the Initiative, but it takes time and dialogue to explain the consequences and nature of the commitment, and many governments need to follow a rigorous due diligence process before committing to the Initiative. As of the end 2021, around 60 percent of the global flaring volume is within government jurisdictions covered by the "Zero Routine Flaring by 2030" Initiative.
All major international oil companies have endorsed the initiative. We’re hopeful others will follow. Typically, companies follow a rigorous due diligence process before committing to the Initiative.
Instead of being flared, associated gas can be used in many different ways for the benefit of the local population. It can provide energy access to those who need it most; fuel power generation; provide liquid petroleum gases (LPGs) for heating or cooking; be used as feedstock for petrochemicals; and generate revenue through export.
Yes, it is. There will still be some flaring for safety reasons and in non-routine situations.
Oil companies and governments will ensure that new oil fields are developed without routine flaring. In addition, they will proactively address the ongoing "legacy" flaring to reduce or eliminate it at the earliest opportunity. The initiative also reinforces the idea that governments, oil companies, and institutions all need to work together to eliminate routine flaring on a global scale.
The Initiative does not force governments or oil companies to invest in uneconomic projects. The Initiative aims to stimulate and create the right environment of cooperation between all stakeholders so that economic solutions are found through appropriate regulation, application of technologies, and financial arrangements.
A desktop study by GGFR in 2018 estimated the cost to eliminate routine flaring of ~ US$100 billion. This estimate is in line with studies from Iraq, Russia, and Nigeria, albeit these studies are few in number, which indicate an average cost of around 6-9 US$/ft3/day (85 - 125 US$/t CO2/day) for onshore projects. (Note: This is the cost to install sufficient capacity to utilize 1 ft3 of flared gas). It is important to note this estimate does not include revenues from utilization of the gas.
Endorsing governments and oil companies will annually report their flaring and progress towards the Initiative. The World Bank will report the same, including the aggregated volumes on this website. (2017 was the first year reported data was published.) This is not to say it is an easy task to obtain accurate data, in part because the volume of most flaring is still estimated rather than metered. In addition, satellite monitoring will continue to provide estimates of flaring volumes for every country.
The Initiative is not legally binding, but it establishes a clear public commitment monitored through a variety of means, including government and company reports and satellite observations. Endorsers have repeatedly communicated they take the commitment very seriously and is why it can take some time to reach a decision.
The Initiative is voluntary and does not include any enforcement measures or penalties. However, its visibility and high global profile encourage continuing commitment to the Initiative.
The World Bank (i) monitors the progress of the endorsers, (ii) continues to promote the Initiative and seek additional endorsements, and (iii) aids the implementation of the Initiative, particularly in developing countries. The World Bank is an active GGFR partner and continues its efforts to end routine flaring worldwide.
Many have regulations with the same objective, but not always in a manner that has proved effective. One of the objectives of this Initiative would be to support governments in development of effective regulations. But for new oil field developments it is simple: the government makes it clear in bidding rounds and concession documents that oil field development plans require utilization (or re-injection) of the associated gas.
Flaring at oil production sites represents by far the largest share of global flaring. Efforts are therefore focused there, rather than being diluted on all flaring sources.
Safety flaring is both small in volume and essential for the safe operation of oil and gas production facilities. Non-routine flaring is often unforeseen in nature. For example, it could be due to issues with the operation of the facility, and as such is hard to mitigate. Oil companies are, of course, strongly encouraged to take measures to minimize all types of flaring.
Based on satellite estimates and publicly reported flaring data, together the endorsers represent around 60 percent of global flaring.
Governments and oil companies interested in making the commitment and endorsing the Initiative or learning more about it, please email us with your name and contact information.
