Determination of greenhouse gas emission resulting from gas flaring activities in Nigeria

Greenhouse gas emission and its effect on the environment have gained the attention of researchers, environmentalists and policy makers in recent times. This is as a result of its devastating impact both on the climate and the environment. Records of natural gas produced and natural gas flared in Nigeria from 1999 to 2009 were collected and subjected to descriptive analysis as well as the Reference Approach method of greenhouse gas determination. Result showed that the total gas produced in Nigeria from 1999 to 2009 was 502 million cubic meters while 237 million cubic meters, representing 47% was flared. Result also showed that the total gas flared reduced from 23 million cubic meters in 1999 to 14 million cubic meters in 2009. Result indicates that the total quantity of carbon dioxide emitted between 1999 and 2009 was found to be 457 million metric tons which is 23.1 percent when compared with the global value of 1979 million metric tons. Result further indicates that an estimated sum of 11 billion dollars is lost annually to gas flaring in Nigeria. It is recommended that the government should put in place appropriate and implementable policies to end gas flaring in Nigeria. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.