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Algeria has reduced the volume of gas flared by 3% in 2023, according to the World Bank’s Global Gas Flaring Tracker report. This performance places the country among nations that recorded progress last year.
The most significant reduction in flaring was observed last year in Algeria, notes the report, specifying that “volumes burned decreased by 0.4 billion cubic meters, or 5%.” According to the same source, oil production also decreased by 2%, and flaring intensity overall decreased by 3% in Algeria.
“Since 2020, the oil company Sonatrach has implemented several projects to recover gas flared in Hassi Messaoud, the largest oil field in the country. In 2023, the company is committed to carrying out projects in other fields, notably in those of Tiguentourine, Ohanet and Tin-Fouyé-Tabenkort, which should make it possible to further reduce flaring volumes in Algeria. indicates the report, taken up by the newspaper El Watan this Sunday, June 23, noting the volume of carbon dioxide released amounted to 23 million tonnes. Sonatrach has set itself the objective of zero flaring by 2030.
“After the considerable successes recorded last year in countries such as the United States and Angola, this year we see sustained improvements in Algeria and Venezuela (-4% and 3% intensity) “, estimates the document, which notes that these reductions reflect the efforts made by national oil companies to implement projects to recover flaring gas, although Venezuela remains the country where the intensity of flaring is the highest in the world. world.
However, the report regrets that these reductions could not compensate for the significant increase in flaring activities in other countries such as Russia, Iran, the United States, and Libya. “The flared gas could have been used to improve energy access in some of the most energy-poor regions in the world. If it had been used, it could have produced enough electricity to double the quantity currently supplied to sub-Saharan Africa,” explains the same source.
The quantity of gas flared in 2023 worldwide reached a global volume of 148 billion cubic meters, marking a significant increase of 9 billion cubic meters (+7%), the highest level since 2019. This volume Gas flaring was responsible for the release of 381 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent CO2e, including a significant amount of methane, the same amount as adding five million cars to the roads, according to the report.
According to the same report, the top nine countries responsible for gas flaring are the Russian Federation, the United States, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, Venezuela, Algeria, Libya, Nigeria and the Mexico. These countries are responsible for 75% of the volume of gas flared worldwide, while they represent only 46% of global oil production.
The Global Gas Flaring Tracker highlights that “gas flaring remains a complex issue influenced by economic, commercial, regulatory and political factors. Although some countries have made progress in reducing flaring, the overall increase in 2023 demonstrates the need to continue and intensify efforts. It calls on governments, operators and stakeholders to “prioritize sustainable action to reduce gas flaring and methane emissions from oil and gas operations to mitigate the impacts of climate change and ‘ensure a sustainable future’.
