Thesis Abstract

Gas flaring is a common practice in the oil and gas industry, where unwanted gases are burned off during the production process. While gas flaring is often seen as a necessary evil to ensure safety and operational efficiency, it has significant environmental impacts that cannot be ignored. This research project aims to explore the effects of gas flaring on the environment, focusing on air quality, climate change, and ecosystem disruption. One of the primary concerns associated with gas flaring is its contribution to air pollution. The combustion of gases during flaring releases a variety of pollutants, including carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds. These pollutants have been linked to respiratory problems, cardiovascular diseases, and even cancer in humans. Additionally, they can have harmful effects on plant and animal life, leading to reduced biodiversity and ecosystem degradation. In addition to local air pollution, gas flaring also has a significant impact on global climate change. Carbon dioxide and methane are potent greenhouse gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to global warming. The combustion of these gases during flaring releases large amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, contributing to the overall increase in greenhouse gas concentrations and exacerbating climate change. Furthermore, gas flaring can disrupt local ecosystems and wildlife habitats. The bright light and heat generated by flares can disturb nocturnal animals and interfere with their natural behaviors. The pollutants released during flaring can also contaminate soil and water, affecting plant growth and aquatic life. In sensitive ecosystems, such as wetlands or forests, the cumulative effects of gas flaring can lead to long-term damage and loss of biodiversity. To address the environmental impacts of gas flaring, it is essential for the oil and gas industry to adopt cleaner technologies and practices. This may include investing in flare gas recovery systems to capture and utilize the flared gases, rather than releasing them into the atmosphere. Additionally, stricter regulations and enforcement mechanisms can help reduce the prevalence of gas flaring and encourage companies to explore alternative solutions. In conclusion, gas flaring is a significant environmental issue that poses risks to air quality, climate change, and ecosystems. By understanding the effects of gas flaring on the environment and taking proactive measures to mitigate these impacts, we can work towards a more sustainable future for both the oil and gas industry and the planet as a whole.

Thesis Overview

1.1 INTRODUCTION

The impact of gas flaring is of local and global concern. Gas flaring is one of the most challenging energy and environmental problems facing the world today whether regionally or globally. It is a multi-billion dollar waste, a local environmental catastrophe and a global energy and environmental problem which had persisted for decades. The World Bank has estimated that the annual volume of associated gas being flared and vented is about 110 billion cubic meters, which is enough fuel to providing the combined annual natural gas consumption of Germany and France. Flaring in Africa is about thirty seven billion cubic meters in the year 2000, which could produce 200 Terawatt hours (Twh) of electricity. And which is also about 50% of the cement power consumption of the African continent and more than twice the level of power consumption in sub-Saharan African with the exception of the republic of south African. Gas flaring is a common practice in the oil and gas production processes globally, Libya for instance flares about 21% of its natural gas, while said Arabia, Canada and Algeria flare 20%, 8% and 50% respectively. This implies that Nigeria has one of the work rates of gas flaring in the world. In 2003, Nigeria flared about 76% of its natural gas. Gas flaring is thus occur during petroleum refining and chemical processing for safe disposal of waste gases during process upsets, plant start-up or shut down and as well as process emergencies. Flaring is a high- temperature oxidation process used to burn combustible components mostly hydrocarbons, of waste gases from industrial operation Gas flaring is the combustion of associated gas produced with crude oil or form gas fields.

The option to release gas to the atmosphere by flaring and venting is an essential practice in oil and gas production, primary for safety reasons. Flaring is the controlled burning of natural gas produced in association with oil in the course of routine oil and gas production operations. Venting is the controlled release of gas into the atmosphere in the course of oil and gas production operation. Solving the problem of this “nuisance” called venting while ensuring safe operation and to minimize undesirable venting, led to the introduction of flaring. Gas flaring is choice disposal option for handling waste hydrocarbon gases because of their ability to burn efficiently.

However, one of the problems associated with crude oil exploration and exploration in Akwa Ibom state of Nigeria is linked to gas flaring where as at 2005, crude oil is brought to the surface from several kilometers below, the gas associated with such oil extraction usually comes to the surface as well. If the oil is produced in those areas of the world that lacks gas infrastructure or a nearby gas market, a significant portion of the related gas may be released into the atmosphere either uninvited (vent) or ignited (flared).

Gas flaring contributes to climate change which has serious implications for both Nigeria and the rest of the world. Nigeria is one of the highest emitter of greenhouse gases in Africa and among the highest carbon (IV) oxides emitters in the world. The burning of fossil fuel, mainly coal, oil and gas led to the warming up the environment through the emissions of carbon dioxide (co2) as the main greenhouse gas, particulate matter, hydrocarbons and ash, photochemical oxidants and hydrogen supplied (H2S). The flares also contributes to acid rain, which apart from corroding corrugated aluminium roofs, acidify the soil, thereby causing soil fertility loss and damaging crops