Increase in Gas Flaring Sparks Demands for Stricter Regulation

Gas flaring from oil production increased in 2023, with pledges and new rules aimed at curbing methane emissions yet to make a difference

Gas flaring, the practice of burning off gas released during oil extraction, increased globally in 2023 to its highest level since 2019, despite efforts to regulate and reduce this polluting practice. According to data released by the World Bank, gas flaring rose by 7% in 2023, resulting in additional planet-warming emissions equivalent to 23 million tonnes of carbon dioxide.

The top flaring countries in 2023 were Russia, Iran, Iraq, and the United States, with just nine countries responsible for 75% of gas flaring worldwide. The increase in flaring intensity was also observed, particularly in countries where oil prices spiked, leading to more intense flaring per barrel of oil produced.

While there are pledges such as the Zero Routine Flaring by 2030 initiative and the Global Methane Pledge, aimed at reducing methane emissions, the World Bank’s report suggests that more action is needed. Some countries have introduced regulations to cut methane emissions, but enforcement and implementation take time.

The EU’s Methane Strategy, including a methane transparency requirement on gas imports, is seen as a potential driver for action. Without a global standard applied to all internationally traded oil and gas, self-regulation by companies may not be sufficient to curb methane emissions effectively.

While certification companies track methane emissions in the US, there are concerns about the reliability of their technology and conflicts of interest. Regulation is essential to monitor and enforce methane emissions, but challenges remain in scalability and technological limitations.

Overall, more concerted efforts and global cooperation are needed to effectively address gas flaring and methane emissions from oil production and mitigate their impacts on the environment.