Flaring is used to manage the natural ('associated') gas produced as a coproduct during oil extraction, routinely or as the result of an unscheduled event. Routine flaring can be a significant source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from upstream operations. Managing flaring to reduce emissions, and convert associated gas into a source of energy, can provide many benefits but also presents challenges.
This Flaring management guidance, developed by Ipieca, IOGP and GGFR in partnership, outlines new developments in flaring management and reduction, and examines industry experiences with eliminating flaring, new technologies, business models, operational improvements and regulatory policy. It also features case studies and examples of positive change.
It aims to:
- raise awareness and understanding, and drive the adoption of flaring best practices;
- identify and explore options for using technology to reduce flaring;
- explore market approaches and business models for monetizing associated gas;
- review and identify effective regulatory frameworks that facilitate reduced flaring; and
- document case studies and share best practices in flare reduction.