The World Bank calls on the reduction of flaring to save the planet

The World Bank’s Global Gas Flaring Reduction partnership (GGFR) has called on oil producing countries and companies in the Middle East to join worldwide efforts in reducing the burning of natural gas or flaring, andin increasing energy efficiency to mitigate impact on climate change.

“The contribution of the Middle East is fundamental in order to have a decisive global impact on flaring reduction and associated gas utilization over the long run,” said Bent Svensson, Manager of the Global Gas Flaring Reduction partnership.

The GGFR partnership estimates that globally at least 150 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas are flared or wasted every year, adding about 400 million tons of greenhouse gases in annual emissions. This is equivalent to almost all the potential yearly emission reductions from projects currently submitted under the Kyoto mechanisms.

Gas Flaring in the Middle East and North Africa region is about 50 billion cubic meters annually, which makes it the second flaring region in the world after Russia and the Caspian region (about 60 bcm). Sub-Saharan Africa flares about 35 bcm. The amount of gas flared in the Middle East alone (about 30 bcm) could feed a 20 million ton liquefied natural gas plant.

The top 20 major flaring countries in the world include: Russia, Nigeria, Iran, Iraq, Angola, Venezuela, Qatar, Algeria, the United States, Kuwait, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Equatorial Guinea, Libya, Mexico, Azerbaijan, Brazil, Congo, the United Kingdom, and Gabon.

 A World Bank delegation is participating at the 13th Annual Middle East Gas Summit in Doha, Qatar, on March 5th and 6th.