Flaring Intensity Monitoring: Applications at Different Levels of Nigerian Petroleum Upstream Industry.

Authors

  • P. N. Ndunagu World Bank African Center of Excellence in Oilfield Chemical Research, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
  • O. F. Joel World Bank African Center of Excellence in Oilfield Chemical Research, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
  • A. A. Oji Chemical Engineering Department, University of Port Harcourt
  • E. E. Alaike VFuels Oil and Gas Engineering

Keywords:

Oil Field, Associated Gas, Nigeria gas flare tracker, Department of petroleum resources

Abstract

Flare volume measurement has been the sole yardstick for tracking flare gas reduction progress and provides a single view of monitoring in the context of its use. In this study, an alternative method was introduced to broaden the perspective of flare gas monitoring. Flaring intensity is a simple and effective measure for tracking flare gas reduction. Flaring Intensity index was applied in different levels of flare volume estimation, namely Oilfield, Oil Company, Petroleum Upstream Contract and Country.  Nigerian Petroleum Production data were sourced from regulatory reports and satellite data from 2012 to 2015 and 2018 annual reports. The results revealed that Nigeria’s flaring intensity is on the decline due to exogenous factors and it illustrates flaring intensity as a comparative and benchmarking tool for gas flare performance at various hydrocarbon production levels. The study also inferred that improved flare gas measurement, transparency in reporting, robust regulation and increased gas handling infrastructure were necessary in order to mitigate flaring in Nigeria to achieve the 2030 Zero Routine Flaring target.

Author Biographies

O. F. Joel, World Bank African Center of Excellence in Oilfield Chemical Research, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

The Center Leader, Africa Center of Excellence in Oilfield Chemicals Research (ACE-CEFOR), University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Ogbonna Joel has been elected the new Dean, Faculty of Engineering, University of Port Harcourt. Prof. Joel was announced as Dean, after a keenly contested election for the office.

Prof. Joel is a Chemical/Petrochemical Engineer and presently the African Regional Representative of National Registry of Environmental Professionals (USA). He has 18 years’ experience in various aspects of global best practice in laboratory management and research protocols in oil field chemicals, acquired at the Halliburton Research Centre, Duncan, USA and Halliburton Energy Services, Nigeria, where he served in various Senior Management capacities from Technology Manager to Scientific Advisor, before joining the academia.

Prof. Joel has served as Head of Department, Petroleum and Gas Engineering, University of Port Harcourt.  He is a Subject expert in sustainability principles to Management of environmental issues and pollution control, in the Oil and Gas Industry

A. A. Oji, Chemical Engineering Department, University of Port Harcourt

Dr. Akuma Oji is an expert in Bioenergy and environmental studies and Audit, recycling and waste management. He has a good academic/Researcher in Chemical Engineering and Allied fields/areas. He has the following degrees – B ENG, M ENG and PhD in Chemical Engineering. He has about 17years experience in Engineering field practice, teaching and research. He was a Member of the Engineering team for the Nigerian counterpart Shell Petroleum Development company (SPDC) Forcados Yokri Integration project (FYIP) and Chevron Nigerian Limited (CNL), Escravos Gas Project Phase 3 (EGP3) and CNL Warri base, Flame, Gas and smoke renovation and maintenance project. He served in many committee and group in the academic services of the University of Port Harcourt, and is presently the Head of Department Chemical Engineering and Coordinator, Industrial Chemistry and petrochemical Technology of the School and Science laboratory technology in University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Dr. Oji is a registered member of the council for the regulation of engineering in Nigeria, a Corporate Member, Nigerian Society of Engineers and registered Environmental specialist of the National registry of environmental professionals.
He is also a recognized panelist of the federal ministry of environment’s environmental impact assessment process.

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Additional Files

Published

2022-01-20

Issue

Vol. 18 No. 4 (2021)

Section

Articles

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