Godstime

IMPACTS OF GAS FLARING AND POLICY ISSUES IN THE NIGER DELTA REGION OF NIGERIAbyGodstime James: 

IMPACTS OF GAS FLARING AND POLICY ISSUES IN THE NIGER DELTA REGION OF NIGERIA by Godstime James

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Background Oil exploration in the region started in 1938 and the first oil well was drilled in 1956 while production for export commenced in 1958. Daily production output has increased from 5,151 barrels in 1958 to 2.2 million barrels in 2006. The export of the produced crude oil accounts for over 90% of the nation’s foreign exchange earnings. Associated with this oil output is the Associated Gas (AG) which is made up of (CO2), (CH4) and (NOX). AG has been flared for over four decades. Estimates put the daily flared gas at 2.5 billion cubic feet with an annual market value of $2.5 billion.

Study Objectives: 

Study Objectives Spatial identification of gas flaring sites in the region; Estimation of gas emission levels; Identification of gases associated with emissions; Qualitative impact assessment of the gas flared on the environment and implications for climate change; Enumeration of gas flaring policies in Nigeria; Comparative analysis of gas flaring policies in Nigeria and Venezuela; Policy recommendation.

Image Impression of Gas Flaring Sites in the Niger Delta : 

Image Impression of Gas Flaring Sites in the Niger Delta

Impacts of Gas Flaring and Venting: 

Impacts of Gas Flaring and Venting Carbon dioxide Particulate matter Sulfur dioxide Nitrogen dioxides Carcinogenic substances (such as benzapyrene and dioxin; and unburned fuel components, including benzene, toluene, xylene, and hydrogen sulfide). Methane Environmental

Impacts of Gas Flaring and Venting: 

Impacts of Gas Flaring and Venting Greenhouse Gases associated with Global warming (CO2 and CH4). Acid rain (SO2 and NOx). Toxins, such as benzene, which pollute the air and may cause respiratory. High temperatures. Environmental Impacts

Impacts of Gas Flaring and Venting: 

Approximately 2 Bncf flared daily. $22 Million Economic Impacts Impacts of Gas Flaring and Venting

Impacts of Gas Flaring and Venting: 

Neglect of Communities. Health impacts. Continuous day light. Noise. Impacts of Gas Flaring and Venting Social Impacts

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Flaring is illegal except with the consent of the minister of petroleum after the payment of a fee. Regulation of Gas Flaring in Nigeria

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Cessation of gas flares in Nigeria by 2008. Expansion of natural gas utilization. Increase income from natural gas. Current Policies to eradicate flaring

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Domestication of Natural Gas usage in the country, 57 Km long gas pipeline from the Niger Delta to the Lagos has been completed and operational. Ongoing projects towards the eradication of gas flaring

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Gas export to West African countries 617 km West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) transports natural gas from Niger Delta to Benin, Togo and Ghana. Ongoing projects towards the eradication of gas flaring

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The Liquefied Natural Gas projects Ongoing projects towards the eradication of gas flaring

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The Kyoto Mechanisms for Flaring Reductions Assist countries to overcome financial constraints on projects intended to reduce gas flaring by designing innovative financing mechanisms, including carbon credit trading. Ongoing projects towards the eradication of gas flaring

Results: 

Results BCM Source: NOAA

Comparison of gas flaring policies between Nigeria and Venezuela: 

Comparison of gas flaring policies between Nigeria and Venezuela Permission to Flare. Flaring Restrictions and Penalties.

Conclusion: 

Conclusion Flaring declined by 10% between 2005 and 2006, but it continues! Flare-out date of 2008 is political. The Government, World Bank and oil industries are better-off with the existing framework; but detrimental to local communities. Venezuela consent to flare is on case by case basis, hence it is effective.

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