Comparative Analysis of Satellite and Regulatory based Gas Flare Volumes in the Niger Delta Region
Keywords:
Remote sensing, Routine gas flaring, Niger Delta, Gas flare measurement, Visible infrared, Radiometer suiteAbstract
Associated gas flaring leads to severe environmental issue, and the importance of effective monitoring and accurate recording of this operation has been a subject of discussion in the petroleum industry. This research used statistical methods to compare the flare volume of both Regulatory Agency records and Satellite-based estimates to determine the accuracy and reliability of estimates. Seven prolific offshore oilfields from the Niger Delta region were considered for this research and the monthly records of flare volume for 2016, 2017, 2020 and 2021 were used to investigate the comparative relationship that exists. The result revealed that the mean flare volumes of four oilfields (Agbara, Bonga, Erha and Usan) did not differ significantly but Abo and Akpo oilfields revealed that estimates from the satellite were significantly greater than the regulatory reports, while the estimates from Agbami oilfield supported the contrast. The Pearson correlation analysis also revealed that a moderately strong positive relationship exists between the estimates for the sampled oilfields. The study further examined the discrepancies between both methods of gas flare measurements and proffered solutions on how these discrepancies could be resolved and recommended a strategy for monitoring natural gas venting.Associated gas flaring leads to severe environmental issue, and the importance of effective monitoring and accurate recording of this operation has been a subject of discussion in the petroleum industry. This research used statistical methods to compare the flare volume of both Regulatory Agency records and Satellite-based estimates to determine the accuracy and reliability of estimates. Seven prolific offshore oilfields from the Niger Delta region were considered for this research and the monthly records of flare volume for 2016, 2017, 2020 and 2021 were used to investigate the comparative relationship that exists. The result revealed that the mean flare volumes of four oilfields (Agbara, Bonga, Erha and Usan) did not differ significantly but Abo and Akpo oilfields revealed that estimates from the satellite were significantly greater than the regulatory reports, while the estimates from Agbami oilfield supported the contrast. The Pearson correlation analysis also revealed that a moderately strong positive relationship exists between the estimates for the sampled oilfields. The study further examined the discrepancies between both methods of gas flare measurements and proffered solutions on how these discrepancies could be resolved and recommended a strategy for monitoring natural gas venting.
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