Lagos – The level of gas flaring in the country was down by 2.29 per cent in January, this year, according to the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, NOSDRA.
NOSDRA said oil and gas companies operating in Nigeria flared 29.9 billion standard cubic feet, SCF, of gas in January 2022.
This figure is 2.29 per cent lower than the 30.6 billion SCF of gas flared in December 2021 and 24.69 per cent lower than the 39.7 billion SCF flared in January 2021, data released by the agency showed.
The oil spill agency stated that the volume of gas flared in January 2022 was equivalent to carbon dioxide emissions of 1.6 million tonnes and capable of generating 3,000 gigawatts hour (GWh) of electricity.
It added that the oil and gas companies involved in flaring were expected to pay penalties of $59.7 million, an equivalent of N25.07 billion, noting, however, that the majority of the fines are never paid or collected by the government.
In comparison, NOSDRA noted that in December 2021, 30.6 billion SCF of gas valued at $107.2 million (N45.02 billion) was flared, with penalties payable at $61.3 million (N25.75 billion); CO2 emission from the quantity of gas flared stood at 1.6 million tonnes; while power generation potential of the flared gas stood at 3,100 GWh of electricity.
The agency also stated that in January 2021, 39.7 billion SCF of gas, valued at $138.9 million (N58.39 billion) was flared; resulting in 2.1 million tonnes of CO2 emissions; with power generating potential of 4,000 GWh, and penalties payable at $79.4 million, an equivalent of N33.35 billion.
Furthermore, NOSDRA reported that of the 29.9 billion SCF of gas flared in January, 19 billion SCF, valued at $66.6 million was flared by companies operating onshore; resulting in CO2 emissions of 1.0 million tonnes; penalties payable at $38.1 million and power generating potential of 1,900 GWh.
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