In the world of energy production, gas flaring—the controlled burning of excess natural gas during oil extraction—remains a persistent challenge. This practice not only wastes a valuable resource that could power homes and industries but also contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon dioxide and methane. As global energy demand continues to rise, recent data reveals a troubling surge in worldwide flaring volumes. However, amid this upward trend, the United States stands out with notable declines in flaring intensity and rates, driven by regulatory advancements and infrastructure improvements.
The Global Surge in Gas FlaringAccording to the latest World Bank Global Gas Flaring Tracker Report, global gas flaring reached a staggering 151 billion cubic meters (bcm) in 2024, marking the highest level since 2007.
This represents a 2% increase—or 3 bcm—from 148 bcm in 2023, continuing an alarming upward trajectory that has seen flaring rise by 5% since 2012.
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The global flaring intensity, measured as cubic meters of gas flared per barrel of oil produced, also ticked up to 5.1 m³/bbl in 2024 from 5.0 m³/bbl the previous year, showing little improvement over the past decade.This surge is largely driven by increases in key oil-producing nations. The top flaring countries in 2024 include:Russia: 22.5 bcm (up 2% from 2023)
Iran: 20.8 bcm (up 12%)
Iraq: 17.8 bcm (up 4%)
United States: 10.7 bcm (up 6%)
Venezuela: 8.5 bcm (no change)
Algeria: 7.2 bcm (down 4%)
Nigeria: 6.8 bcm (up 12%)
Libya: 5.5 bcm (down 8%)
Mexico: 5.3 bcm (up 4%)
These nine countries account for 76% of global flaring, with the remaining 24% distributed among others.
Factors contributing to the global increase include infrastructure bottlenecks, geopolitical tensions disrupting gas capture projects, and rising oil production in regions without adequate gas utilization systems. For instance, Iran’s sharp rise is linked to expanded oil output amid sanctions, while Nigeria’s increase stems from operational challenges in the Niger Delta.
The environmental impact is profound: Flaring in 2024 alone generated approximately 389 million tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions, exacerbating climate change and air pollution.
Despite international commitments like the Global Methane Pledge and the World Bank’s Zero Routine Flaring by 2030 initiative, progress has stalled, with flaring levels stubbornly high at around 140-150 bcm annually since 2012.Decline in U.S. Flaring: A Story of Efficiency GainsIn contrast to the global uptick, the United States has made strides in reducing its flaring footprint, particularly when measured as a percentage of natural gas production. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that the rate of natural gas vented or flared dropped to 0.5% of gross withdrawals in 2023—the lowest in 18 years—down from 1.3% in 2018 and 2019.
This decline persisted even as U.S. natural gas production hit a record 125 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) in 2023.
Absolute flaring volumes in the U.S. have shown some fluctuation. In 2023, the U.S. flared approximately 9.6-10.1 bcm, ranking fourth globally.
Preliminary data indicates a slight increase to 10.7 bcm in 2024, a 6% rise, primarily due to capacity constraints in the Bakken shale region.
However, flaring intensity remains low at 2.1 m³/bbl in 2024—up slightly from 2.0 m³/bbl in 2023 but down 50% from 2012 levels, far below the global average of 5.1 m³/bbl.Key basins like the Permian have seen improvements, with a 5% drop in intensity in 2024 thanks to new pipelines adding 14% regional capacity.
States such as Texas reduced their flaring rate from 2.6% in 2018 to 0.5% in 2023, while North Dakota, despite higher rates (5.1% in 2023), has captured more gas since banning venting in 2014.
Comparing U.S. Progress to the Rest of the World
The U.S. experience highlights a divergence from global patterns. While worldwide flaring has surged due to stagnant intensity and rising production in under-regulated regions, the U.S. has benefited from a combination of factors:Regulatory Push: Initiatives like the Bureau of Land Management’s Waste Prevention Rule (finalized in April 2024) impose stricter capture requirements and penalties for excess flaring.
State-level rules in Texas and North Dakota have also tightened exemptions and set capture targets.
Infrastructure Investments: Rapid buildout of pipelines and processing facilities in shale plays has alleviated bottlenecks that once forced flaring.
Economic Incentives: Higher natural gas prices and lost revenue from flared gas have motivated operators to capture and sell more, reducing waste.
Technological Advancements: Programs under the Inflation Reduction Act and DOE’s Methane Mitigation Technologies support innovations in leak detection and gas utilization.
Globally, many top flarers lack similar frameworks. For example, Russia’s vast volumes persist due to remote fields and weak enforcement, while Iran’s increases reflect geopolitical isolation limiting technology access.
In contrast, countries like Norway and the UAE have achieved near-zero routine flaring through stringent policies, offering models for others.
This comparison underscores a key point: While global flaring intensity has barely budged since 2010, the U.S. has decoupled flaring from production growth, achieving efficiency gains that save resources and cut emissions.
Implications and Outlook
The global surge in flaring undermines energy security, as the 151 bcm wasted in 2024 could have met significant portions of Europe’s gas needs.
It also hampers climate goals, with flaring contributing to methane emissions 28 times more potent than CO2 over a century.For the U.S., ongoing projects like a new Bakken pipeline (expected online post-2025 with 10 bcm capacity) promise further reductions.
As U.S. production is projected to hit 105.9 Bcf/d in 2025, maintaining low flaring rates will be crucial.
To reverse the global trend, stronger international collaboration is needed—enforcing zero-routine flaring commitments, investing in capture technologies, and tying trade deals to emission reductions. As energy transitions accelerate, turning flared gas into usable energy could bridge the gap between fossil fuels and renewables, benefiting both the planet and economies.Energy News Beat continues to monitor global energy trends. Stay tuned for more insights on sustainable production practices.
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