Nigeria among world’s top gas flaring nations – World Bank

Nigeria has been ranked among the top five countries with the highest levels of gas flaring globally, according to the World Bank’s 2024 Global Gas Flaring Tracker report.

The report identifies Nigeria, along with Russia, Iran, Iraq, and the United States, as the top five contributors to global gas flaring – a harmful practice of burning off excess natural gas during oil production. These five nations alone were responsible for 4.6 billion cubic meters (bcm) of additional flared gas in 2024.

Together with Venezuela, Algeria, Libya, and Mexico, these top nine flaring countries accounted for more than 75% of global gas flaring, despite producing less than 50% of the world’s oil. The report estimates this waste represents a loss of about $63 billion in energy and contributes significantly to climate change.

In 2024, global gas flaring rose by 2% to reach 151 bcm — the highest level in nearly 20 years. This increase led to the release of around 389 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent into the atmosphere, including 46 million tonnes of unburnt methane, one of the most potent greenhouse gases.

Nigeria, alongside Iran, Iraq, Russia, and the U.S., recorded the largest year-on-year increases in flaring.

The World Bank attributes these trends to a lack of adequate investment in infrastructure to capture and utilize associated gas.

The report also highlights Iran’s 12% spike in gas flaring, driven by increased oil production and minimal efforts toward gas recovery. Iran’s flaring intensity — the amount of gas flared per barrel of oil produced — was more than three times the global average.

In contrast, Algeria and Libya saw reductions in flaring, mainly due to decreased oil output.

While the U.S. has managed to cut its flaring intensity by nearly 50% since 2012, most other top flaring countries have seen an increase or no significant change. The U.S. now ranks among countries with the lowest flaring intensity globally.

The report noted that countries committed to the World Bank’s Zero Routine Flaring by 2030 (ZRF) initiative are making better progress. These nations have reduced their average flaring intensity by 12% since 2012, whereas non-committed countries recorded a 25% increase.

Positive examples include Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Indonesia, and Kazakhstan — all ZRF-endorsing countries — which have demonstrated measurable progress in cutting flaring volumes.

To support further action, the World Bank’s Global Flaring and Methane Reduction (GFMR) Partnership is providing grants, technical support, and policy advice to help countries curb gas flaring and methane emissions. One such project in Uzbekistan, backed by an $11 million GFMR grant, has helped reduce methane leaks by 9,000 tonnes annually, with potential reductions up to 100,000 tonnes per year.

“The solutions exist,” said Zubin Bamji, GFMR Partnership Manager.

“Governments and operators must make flaring reduction a priority.

“With the right policies in place, we can turn wasted gas into an engine for economic development.”