Abstract
Apart from contributing to greenhouse gas emission, flared gases create trade-off emissions such as carbon (iv) oxide (CO<sub>2</sub>), methane (CH<sub>4</sub>), nitrogen oxides (NO<sub>X</sub>), sulphur oxides (SO<sub>X</sub>) and water vapour. The impact of such flared gases is of both local and global concern. Therefore, the purpose of the present study is to review current literature on gas gathering and utilization and to determine the most efficient and economic means of harnessing flared gases in order to contribute to the attainment of the “no routine flare” policy of government and reduce greenhouse gas emission. In this paper, analysis is made of energy and gas flaring trends in Nigeria by examining available data with a view to understanding the possible impact of the recovered gas on gas supply in the country. A comparison of traditional gas gathering technologies to gas ejector technology is also made. This study found that despite efforts to reduce gas flaring in Nigeria, about 81% of gas flared in the last 6 years is from Service Contract (SC), Sole Risks/Independent (SR/I) and Marginal Fields (MF) companies most likely because of the high cost of investment in gas gathering utilities and lack of market for gas and gas products. Thus, this paper identifies gas ejector technology as a viable compression equipment to cut compression costs. Given the current excess gas capacity of the country and the Nigerian power market which is currently undersupplied and generates significant greenhouse gases (GHGs), this paper recommends the use of the recovered flare gas for power generation, which will not only directly help to reduce Nigeria’s contribution to GHG emission from flaring, but also substantially help to cut down her overall emission level mainly from the industrial use of fossil fuel for power generation and wood fuel for heating.
Highlights
The emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) especially carbon dioxide (CO2) has been reported to be the major factor behind recently observed changes in climate extremes such as storms, floods, and heat waves as well as increasing global temperatures and rising sea levels
In Nigeria, gas flaring has been a major means through which green houses gases (GHGs) are released into the atmosphere
A number of efforts targeted at zero routine gas flaring have been made including the Federal Government’s “no routine flare” deadline of December 2010, expansion of the local gas market via the National Independent Power Projects (NIPP) and the development of Associated Gas Gathering (AGG) Projects for gathering associated gas to a processing and treatment facility or gas pipeline system
Summary
The emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) especially carbon dioxide (CO2) has been reported to be the major factor behind recently observed changes in climate extremes such as storms, floods, and heat waves as well as increasing global temperatures and rising sea levels. Gas flaring impacts climate change by adding about 400 million tons of CO2 in annual emissions [1]. In Nigeria, gas flaring has been a major means through which green houses gases (GHGs) are released into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide emissions especially in the Niger Delta are among the highest in the world [2]. Though the emission level in Nigeria is not so significant on a global scale, international cooperation is required to effectively mitigate GHG emissions and address other climate change issues [3]. A number of efforts targeted at zero routine gas flaring have been made including the Federal Government’s “no routine flare” deadline of December 2010 (which was not achieved), expansion of the local gas market via the National Independent Power Projects (NIPP) and the development of Associated Gas Gathering (AGG) Projects for gathering associated gas to a processing and treatment facility or gas pipeline system
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
