The World Bank has reported that the burning of excess natural gas from global oil fields reached its highest level since 2019 last year. This activity emitted pollutants equivalent to those from an additional five million cars.
Increase in Gas Flaring
- Statistics and Comparison: According to the World Bank’s Global Gas Flaring Tracker Report, gas flaring by oil and gas producers increased by about 7% last year, totaling 148 billion cubic meters compared to 2022.
- Emissions Impact: This increase resulted in an additional 23 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions.
Oil Production and Flaring Intensity
- Oil Production Stability: Oil production remained relatively stable during this period.
- Increase in Flaring Intensity: There was a 5% increase in the amount of gas flared per barrel produced.
- Trend Reversal: This increase marks a reversal of the reductions observed between 2021 and 2022, undermining the World Bank’s initiative to end routine flaring within six years.
Call for Urgent Action
- Sustainability Concerns: The World Bank emphasized that global efforts to reduce gas flaring have not been sustainable.
- Zero Routine Flaring Goal: Urgent action is required to achieve the goal of zero routine flaring by 2030.
Methane Emissions and Impact
- Contribution to Methane Emissions: The oil and gas sector is responsible for about a fifth of human-made methane emissions, due to leaks and gas flaring. Half of these emissions come from producers in developing nations.
- Methane’s Warming Potential: Methane, the primary component of natural gas, has more than 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide during its first 20 years in the atmosphere.
- Reduction Benefits: Halting methane releases from coal, oil, and gas operations is considered one of the fastest and cheapest ways to lower global temperatures.
Dominant Flaring Countries
- Top Contributors: Nine countries accounted for 75% of the flaring and 46% of global oil output. These countries are Russia, Iran, Iraq, US, Venezuela, Algeria, Libya, Nigeria, and Mexico.
- Flaring Trends: These nations have dominated global flaring for more than a decade, with some increasing gas burning intensity.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What was the level of gas flaring in 2023 compared to 2022?
- A. Decreased by 7%
- B. Remained the same
- C. Increased by 7%
- D. Increased by 10%
- How much additional carbon dioxide equivalent emissions were produced due to increased gas flaring in 2023?
- A. 10 million tons
- B. 23 million tons
- C. 15 million tons
- D. 5 million tons
- Which component of natural gas has a warming power more than 80 times that of carbon dioxide during its first 20 years in the atmosphere?
- A. Nitrous oxide
- B. Sulfur dioxide
- C. Methane
- D. Carbon monoxide
- Which initiative is being undermined due to the increase in gas flaring?
- A. Zero carbon emissions by 2030
- B. World Bank initiative to end routine flaring within six years
- C. Reduction of methane leaks by 2025
- D. Paris Agreement goals
- Which of the following countries is NOT one of the nine accounting for 75% of global gas flaring?
- A. Russia
- B. Saudi Arabia
- C. Iran
- D. Venezuela