Dissertation Methodology
RESEARCH STRATEGY
This study was created to 'evaluate the severity of the effects from natural gas flares in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. It will utilize both a Quantitative Research model to evaluate the amounts of gas flared, the volume of contaminants released into the environment and the potential value of natural gas wasted. That will be followed by a Qualitative Analysis that uses numerical and statistical process to draw out and make generalizations based upon the information structure created from the Quantitative Research and the data sets provided by the various information sources. These information sources include, but are not limited to: ” Brief Summary of the Nigerian Crude Oil and Gas Integrity” , IMPACT OF PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT ON THE ENVIRONMENT: A CASE STUDY ON THE NIGER DELTA , and Gas Flaring in the Niger Delta: the Potential Benefits of its Reduction on the Local Economy and Environment. .
The data structure will incorporate information from the Nigerian National Petroleum Statistical Bulletin as recorded and analyzed in ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF WASTAGES IN THE NIGERIAN GAS INDUSTRY. and the value of gas flared as determined by the Dow Jones as reported by the Wall Street Journal. .
This research is very similar to that of the United States Government who provides the following published research directions: “The EERS’ major strategic research directions include research in:
(1) human health valuation;
(2) ecological valuation;
(3) environmental behavior and decision-making;
(4) market mechanisms and incentives; and
(5) benefits of environmental information disclosure.
These strategic objectives frequently require an interdisciplinary approach to develop sound research. EPA will address the most important research gaps in these areas and will develop interdisciplinary teams and partnerships with other agencies when needed.” . In order to do this they “Examined research activities in terms of scientific feasibility, resource constraints, tools and capabilities, compatibility with existing expertise, and EPA’s ability to make a significant contribution relative to other research institutions doing work in the area;” . These objectives and goals are virtually identical to this project’s goals. As such, the strategy of evaluating existing data before conducting additional research
SCOPE OF THE STUDY
Data from the Wall Street Journal and the Nigerian National Petroleum Statistical Bulletin, existing data and document review from current sources and past reports and reviews form one data set. Information about technical advances in flaring equipment as is available from industry sources such as the technological improvements made by the John Zink Company, LLC comprise another. This data will set the foundation for the majority of the scope of the study. The study will also take into account the known general facts about flaring, such as which compounds are released and how they affect the environment. Additional historic and current data will be factored in order to evaluate the environmental damage suffered since the institution of gas flaring. The Nigerian Delta region’s environment has been steadily impacted by oil exploitation and natural gas flaring for almost half a century. Therefore, past data weighed against current information will yield the most comprehensive evaluation of the severity of the effects from natural gas flares in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. One of the primary problems faced by any researcher looking into the problems Nigeria faces as it comes to terms with this situation is the knowledge gaps created by inconsistent research efforts. One of the problems with evaluating data regarding the severity of the effects from natural gas flares in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria is that new information is constantly being developed. This new data must also be incorporated into the existing body of knowledge. This study attempts to create a framework that will allow for the incorporation of new data as it develops.
Without this, the knowledge gaps just grow wider. This type of gap creates and perpetuates misinformation. This came into clear light when Keith R. updated the Temas Blog Keith R. uses satellite imagery to show how flaring can be monitored from space. One of his points was that we no longer have to rely on government or corporate reports to monitor flaring. In his striking presentation, he presents a new approach to what has become an old problem, governments and oil exploitation companies benefit by underreporting the flaring problems. His satellite analysis was “commissioned by the World Bank’s Global Gas Flaring Reduction partnership (GGFR), the alliance launched by the Bank and Norway at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD – “Rio+10″) in 2002. While the GGFR includes 14 oil-producing nations and 10 oil & gas multinationals” “The satellite study was actually executed by scientists at the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The US is both donor and country member of GGFR.” What was long suspected was confirmed by this study. The results showed that some of the data previously relied upon was inaccurate. This was because of inaccurate information provided by political and industrial sources. To close the information gap, historical data must be evaluated in light of the current findings. Of immediate relevance to this study is that although “most experts thought Nigeria was the world’s biggest gas flaring culprit; the study showed that the dubious honor actually belongs to Russia (which flares more than twice what Nigeria does).” . Therefore, this study will consider, define and attempt to mitigate these gaps to present a more complete picture of the current crisis in Nigeria and the Nigerian Delta region caused by decades of gas flaring.
DATA COLLECTION
This research comparatively examines available data regarding flaring, resource exploitation, social and environmental impact. The goal is to compile this information into one comprehensive body of knowledge. In order to do this it is necessary to take into account the full span of the information available. They put into context the varying concerns that influence the broader picture of environmental damages. To achieve the aim to evaluate the severity of the effects from natural gas flares in the Niger delta region of Nigeria that forms the focus of this thesis the data must be compiled and organized in such a manner so as to set out the past history, and present condition. The first step to evaluate the severity of the effects from natural gas flares in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria; can be factored by comparing the known levels of flaring and the contaminants established as present in the majority of Nigerian natural gases. The next step is to use a more subjective approach to the variety of environmental types subject to the effects of natural gas flares.
While knowing the present condition and level of contamination is crucial in order to investigate how past effects can be remediated and begin the remediation process. Unfortunately, it will not be possible to establish a viable long-term plan until the oil exploitation companies end flaring and further comprehensive studies take place.
SOURCE OF DATA
The Nigerian National Petroleum Statistical Bulletin tracks the extent of flaring in Nigeria. This historical and current data regarding the extent of flaring in Nigeria and the Nigerian Delta is contained in Addendum B . The chemical emissions from sweet and sour gas flares are contained in the tables from “a report by James Argo prepared for Save Our Seas and Shores (SOSS) and included as Table 1 and Table 2 in the references section.
In another instance, Michiko Ishione traveled to Nigeria in 2003 to collect personally data for his study of Gas Flaring in the Niger Delta: the Potential Benefits of its Reduction on the Local Economy and Environment. This “hands on” research and other hard data regarding the content of emissions from flares and the potential health effects associated with exposure to these materials provides valuable insight but must be set in the context of the greater scope of time and region.
DATA ANALYTICAL STRUCTURE
The data analytical structures used in this research are a Quantitative Research model to evaluate the primary data of amounts of gas flared, the volume of contaminants released into the environment and the potential value of natural gas wasted. This hard data will provide the framework for further investigative study. These statistics will also support a further Qualitative Analysis to utilize the variety of data available. This data includes regional information that addresses a particular environmental type, the flora and fauna contained in it. It also includes the agricultural activities practiced by its inhabitants. The Nigerian terrain “ Ranges from southern coastal swamps to tropical forests, open woodlands, grasslands, and semi desert in the far north. The highest regions are the Jos Plateau 1,200-2,000 meters above sea level and the mountains along the border with Cameroon” . Because of this, there is data that involves a broad range of specific topics best presented in a narrative format set into context with the broader Qualitative Analysis.
A Qualitative Analysis uses numerical and statistical process and in this study will use this method to draw out and make generalizations based upon the information structure created from the Quantitative Research and the data sets provided by the various secondary information sources such as the ” Brief Summary of the Nigerian Crude Oil and Gas Integrity” , IMPACT OF PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT ON THE ENVIRONMENT: A CASE STUDY ON THE NIGER DELTA , and Gas Flaring in the Niger Delta: the Potential Benefits of its Reduction on the Local Economy and Environment. .
RESEARCH LIMITATIONS
Logistical considerations exclude conducting any additional regional research. Data as to the value of natural gas was collected from the Dow Jones as reported in the Wall Street. This data appears as Addendum A. Additional information regarding the amounts of natural gas flared is available from the Nigerian National Petroleum Statistical Bulletin. This study uses the secondary source of this information found in the “Nigeria Gas Production and Use 1970 to 2008” table from ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF WASTAGES IN THE NIGERIAN GAS INDUSTRY. . As aforementioned, there is already a vast amount of data available that renders any additional research impractical. In light of the vast amount of existing studies, research is limited to information and data available from primary and secondary data sources. Secondary data is drawn from research conducted for reasons other than a research project. An example of secondary data is researcher gathering industry information. “Secondary data is also used to gain initial insight into the research problem.” . The secondary data sources provide “generalizable theory, hypotheses, methods, and data that can be applied to other circumstances” . “As a general rule, a thorough research of the secondary data should be undertaken prior to conducting primary research. The secondary information will provide a useful background and will identify key questions and issues that will need to be addressed by the primary research.” . Secondary data also highlights knowledge gaps. The existence of knowledge gaps is a troublesome issue when it comes to the data available regarding the practices of natural gas flaring practices in Nigeria and the Nigerian Delta region.
MANN-WHITNEY TESTS
The Mann-Whitney U Test is a non-parametric test used to compare two different populations means drawn from the same population. It is an alternative to the T-Test that examines the mean difference between a sample and an established population mean. The Mann-Whitney U-Test in comparison tests if two populations means are, or are not, equal. As a non-parametric test relies on the following:
Assumptions:
Mann-Whitney U test is a non parametric test, hence it does not assume any assumptions related to the distribution. There are, however, some assumptions that are assumed:
1. The sample drawn from the population is random.
2. Independence within the samples and mutual independence is assumed.
3. Ordinal measurement scale is assumed.
Calculation:
Where:
U=Mann-Whitney U test
N1 = sample size one
N2= Sample size two
Ri = Rank of the sample size
These tests may be of value when further analyzing the data sets determined by the initial data review. It is frequently used in medicine and may prove valuable in determining the effects of flaring by examining the number and severity of the incidences of a particular health concern as suffered by individuals in close proximity to flares as compared to a more distant population group.
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