Gas flaring represents a major environmental and public health concern affecting numerous countries around the globe. The industrial sector is a primary contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, with gas flaring representing one of the most prevalent and consequential sources of such emissions. Its impact cannot be understated, as it has resulted in a range of significant issues in areas where it is rampant. Dubbed an economic and environmental calamity, gas flaring is a major driver of environmental and air pollution.
Gas flaring in the industrial sector is the burning of natural gas and petroleum hydrocarbons in flare stacks by upstream oil companies in oil fields during operations. This can include the burning of excess fuel, the combustion of waste gasses produced during chemical processes, or the release of methane or other gasses produced during the production and processing of natural resources as coal, oil and natural gas. It stands out as one of the common sources of global warming and contributes to emissions of carbon monoxide, nitrogen (II) oxide and methane which have the propensity of causing environmental pollution and ecological disturbances or destruction.
It is clear that numerous countries worldwide possess valuable natural resources, such as petroleum and natural gas, which occur naturally and have proven to be of undeniable economic significance. Nigeria is among these countries, having been blessed with a variety of such resources and endowments. However, unlike in other nations, Nigeria has historically focused almost exclusively on petroleum, oil, and gas for generating national wealth, with other resources underutilized. Thankfully, there has been a rising awareness that has spurred actual efforts to diversify Nigeria’s economy.
While the preceding statement is tangential, the main point we wish to emphasize is that the crucial matter is not the abundance of natural resources bestowed upon us as a country, but rather how effectively we have made use of them. Many countries have fully utilized their natural endowments and it has been of great advantage and has strengthened their economic might. However, can this be ascribed to the Nigeria situation? We opine here that the answer to this can only be a resounding no. Although there may be varying arguments and opinions, the stark reality is that Nigeria’s natural resources, which should have been a source of blessings, have instead become a curse that is gradually and steadily wreaking havoc in numerous aspects of the country’s economy. This is evident in the numerous issues currently plaguing Nigeria, including the topic of discussion in this article, which is the problem of gas flaring. It is crucial to note that citizens bear the brunt of this situation, facing the hardship and environmental dangers and challenges that come with these harmful practices.
To ensure a comprehensive understanding, it is necessary to define natural gases before delving deeper into the topic. Natural gases are valuable resources similar to petroleum, but they differ in significant ways. Natural gas is a subset of petroleum and is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons along with some non-hydrocarbon gases. It is formed when layers of decomposed plant and animal matter undergo intense heat and pressure over extended periods. The energy that the plants initially absorbed from the sun is stored in the gas in the form of chemical bonds.
Gas flaring is a prevalent practice in oil production because it provides a cost-effective method for disposing of Associated Gas, which is often found mixed with oil. Typically, oil companies prefer to locate oil fields without any Associated Gas to avoid the need for its disposal and ensure maximum profits. When they do find Associated Gas, they must dispose of it to benefit from the oil production, which is the primary source of revenue. In contrast; locating non-Associated Gas allows them to control gas production without reference to oil production. Consequently, the flaring of Associated Gas has become widespread in the country.
During the initial period of petroleum exploration, natural gas was often seen as a byproduct and was considered unimportant due to the complications that came with transporting it to places where it could be utilized. Similarly, storage problems made it unfeasible for practical usage. Thus, gas was usually burned off at the well or released into the atmosphere. The main reason for this wastage was to make space for other operations, and to void the possibility of the gas causing an explosion, which could potentially destroy the entire system. However, over time, with the development of new technology, natural gas has become an increasingly valuable resource that is now commonly used as a source of energy for heating and power generation. It is now seen as an important component of the world’s energy mix, and its demand is steadily increasing as society transitions towards cleaner and more sustainable energy resources.
According to the World Bank’s most recent estimates from 2021, the top ten countries in the world for gas flaring, ranked in terms of the volume of gas flared are:
1. Russia
2. Iraq
3. Iran
4. United States
5. Algeria
6. Venezuela
7. Nigeria
8. Angola
9. Kazakhstan
10. Qatar
Numerous countries around the world have developed and enacted policies and strategies aimed at reducing or eliminating the practice of gas flaring, recognizing its harmful effects on the environment and human health. However, in Nigeria, gas flaring remains a persistent and increasing issue in areas where gas is produced despite efforts to address the problem. Many countries have formulated and implemented various mechanisms and policies to curb and to eradicate this method of disposing their generated Associated Gas. This they have done in consideration of the negative and the endangering impact of gas flaring. This is however not the case in Nigeria, owing to the fact that, there is still a rise and prevailing activity of gas flaring in the producing areas. The World Bank’s statistics; released in 2021 shows Nigeria as world seventh largest “gas flarer”.
Examination of Gas Flaring in Nigeria: The Unchecked Escalating Rate of Gas Flaring in the Niger Delta
Gas flaring has been a pervasive issue in Nigeria’s oil and gas system since the start of oil production. It originated during the colonial rule when Shell and BP began exploring for oil in the Niger Delta in the 1930s. The first field was discovered in 1956, and the first export was made in 1958, with gas flaring starting from the outset. Although the unacceptability and negative implications of gas flaring are widely recognized, implementation has been a hindrance, resulting in a persistent increase in flaring activities. Moving on in this discussion, we will consider the extent of unacceptability and any legal frameworks in place to address the problem.
Initially, our primary focus will be on examining the impacts of gas flaring. The consequences of gas flaring are varied and devastating in all countries that produce oil, with the severity of the effects increasing in proportion to the rate of gas flaring. To put it simply; the more gas is flared, the greater the harm it poses to the population. Our attention will be directed towards analyzing the consequences of gas flaring specifically in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria.
Environmental Pollution:
The emission of gas through flaring has significantly contributed to the escalation of environmental pollution. This poses a severe threat to human activity and endangers the lives of humans and animals inhabiting the oil-producing areas where flaring is rampant. Unfortunately, the areas with high gas flaring rates experience devastating effects on the lives of humans, animals, and vegetation. The pollution resulting from flaring can lead to fatal health conditions, untimely leading to the death of the residents in those regions.
For example, the Niger Delta Region, where fishing and farming are the predominant occupations, has experienced high rates of flaring resulting in environmental pollution. Similar to oil spillage, flaring contaminates water bodies, leading to the death of aquatic animals. Additionally, constant flaring leads to increased soil acidity, which negatively impacts agricultural activities in such areas.
Disruption and Distortion of the Climate (Ozone Layer Depletion):
Gas flaring in Nigeria has caused various negative impacts, including the release of gases into the atmosphere. This can lead to gradual but unfavourable changes in the atmospheric and climatic conditions of the affected areas. Acidic rain is one of the adverse effects of gas flaring, caused by the emission of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides which combine with atmospheric moisture to form sulfuric acid and nitric acid respectively. Acidic rain can damage vegetation, acidify lakes and streams, and accelerate the decay of building materials and paints. Furthermore, the particular matter derivatives of these gases, sulfates, and nitrates, can cause visibility degradation and harm public health.
Burning fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and gas, has caused global warming, which is projected to worsen according to the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Gas flaring contributes to the emission of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane, which not only have adverse health effects on humans and animals but also contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer. The harsh and unhealthy weather conditions in oil-producing areas, especially in the Niger Delta Region, are also a direct consequence of gas flaring.
Increase in Mortality Rate (Poisoned Communities):
Gas flaring in underdeveloped communities and creeks in the Niger Delta region and other oil-producing areas has led to an increased rate of deaths in these localities. These communities are continuously exposed to poisonous gases on a daily basis. Research data reveals that the Kolo Creek and Obama flow stations in Bayelsa State flare approximately 800,00 m³/day of gas.
According to the World Bank, exposure to particulate matter causes various adverse health effects, such as 6.72 premature deaths per year for each increase of 1 ug/m³ for each 100,000 persons, 1,690 respiratory illnesses per year for each increase of 1 ug/m³ for each 100,000 children and 32,600 asthma attacks per year for each increase of 1 ug/m³ for each 100,000 asthma sufferers.
The negative effects of gas flaring are numerous, and it is clear that this issue should not be taken lightly. Despite the material profit and cost considered by many oil and gas companies, gas flaring continues to cause greater harm than value. It is unfortunate that human lives and environmental stability are placed at stake for cheap considerations. Ironically, the gas being flared is not entirely a waste, as it can be converted into other forms of renewable energy with the right policy implementation and use of well developed technology.
Recommendations and alternative solutions to gas flaring in Nigeria includes liquefying natural gases and storing them in vessels and containers instead of flaring them, as it is safer, more productive, and economical option. Natural gas is a major source of electricity generation and can also be used in association with renewable energy sources such as wind or solar. In addition, natural gas can be used for domestic purposes and can be used for domestic purposes and can generate temperature in excess of 1100 ÌŠC making it a powerful cooking and heating fuel.
To combat gas flaring, there is need to modify and strengthen the legal and judicial framework in Nigeria. Although several legislations have been enacted (we are going to highlight some of these legislations in another article), there has been inadequate enforcement due to low penalties imposed for violations and exemptions granted to oil companies that flare gas. Corruption has also hindered the effective implementation of policies to address the issue. However, if the legislative and judicial bodies are utilized to their fullest extent, there would be a notable and observable impact on the system, and this would help to address the persistent rise of gas flaring in Nigeria.
In conclusion, the preceding sections of this article have emphasized that the issue of gas flaring poses a grave threat to humans, animals, and the environment. The people living in areas where oil is produced and gas is flared have suffered significant casualties as a result of this ongoing problem. Despite this, the rate of casualties continues to increase, and it is the responsibility of the Nigerian government to protect its citizens. Unfortunately, in Nigeria, especially in the Niger Delta region where gas flaring is most prevalent, the government has failed to address this issue adequately, which has resulted in the loss of lives and a reduced standard of living for those in the affected areas.
Oil companies flare gases that could be used to generate power and energy in these regions, yet the areas lack even the most basic amenities. It is unjustifiable that cheap revenues are generated at the expense of the lives of residents in these regions. The government needs to prioritize the people’s interests and find alternative ways to utilize the gas produced, rather than simply discarding it through flaring.
There are several ways in which the produced gas can be used instead of being flared, such as boosting oil production, powering oil and gas platforms, manufacturing petrochemical products, generating electricity, and fueling automobiles. By utilizing the produced gas in these ways, the problems of energy generation, greenhouse effects, and environmental safety can be addressed.
It is critical to halt gas flaring immediately. The continuation of this practice not only endangers human and environmental health but also results in significant revenue loss for the people and government of Nigeria.