INTRODUCTION
The development of energy resources and the recent changes in world economies, climatic implications and resource management has let to greater examination of how resources are extracted, developed and utilized. The entire industry is constantly under review internally, and externally to perfect their processes with the least possible environmental damage. Because of the possibility, and the reality of potential acute disasters as well as long range environmental effects of the energy production and extraction processes each phase of the system needs careful examination to maximize production and minimize environmental impact. Nigeria and the Niger Delta region have been victims of unsound natural resource exploitation for over 45 years and has resulted in a series of environmental impacts, many of which were due to improper Natural gas flaring (Friends of the earth 2004).
Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the severity of the effects from natural gas flares in the Niger Delta region. Afterwards, an assessment of the oil companies’ activities with respect to flaring natural gas is essential. To truly move forward we must also investigate how past effects can be remediated. Through this procedure, we can address the environmental impacts of natural gas flaring in Nigeria’s Niger Delta and this forms the focus of this thesis.
CONTEXTUAL BACKGROUND
Resource development and its environmental impacts have become an increasing source of concern. Developed nations such as the United States, with substantial resources in populated regions want to use these resources, but without disturbing the quality of life of the local residents. They look to see what the impact has been in other areas of the world where similar resource development has led to environmental impacts. The Nigerian Delta has a varied topography with a combination of wetlands, farming and highland. There are also various people from the many ethnic groups with differing views and experiences regarding gas flares and resource exploitation. Because of this diversity, this area serves as a useful region to study in regards to the potential impacts in other areas of the world (Abhulimen 2012).
Although its diverse wildlife cannot be compared to any other region in the world, let alone the fully explored and populated areas in North America where resource development (Friends of the Earth 2004) is being considered or in its first phases of development diversity in the Nigerian Delta does present an indication of how ongoing natural gas production might impact upon other regions in the world. Flares are only one element in natural gas extraction in a region, but they are an important and unavoidable occurrence. Besides wasting a natural resource, there are concerns that residues and just the heat alone from flares may have environmental impacts. Studies conducted by the oil industry . , indicate that these effects are minimal. According to the British Petroleum Company “A correct mix of steam and flared-off hydrocarbons guarantee clean combustionResidues are carbon dioxide and water vapor, all substances we people breathe out.” (BP 2012) Since corporations have a vested interest in minimizing the public perception of effects of natural gas flares on the environment there are other groups who studied this problem, from a variety of perspectives. Michiko Ishione, addressed it in Gas Flaring in the Niger Delta: the Potential Benefits of its Reduction on the Local Economy and Environment as part of the research at the University of California at Berklee , as did the Friends of the Earth in the United Kingdom. .
The concerns are not just from other communities who are considering the effects of gas flares on their own communities. Nigeria is also a region of interest in its own right. The Nigerian Government, local and international interest groups, businesses seeking to invest in Nigeria and the people who live there all have their own concerns. Not surprisingly, there is a variety of study results with a wide range of findings on this issue. Tolulope (2004) argues that oil companies in the Niger Delta have over the past 20 years struggled to reduce or end natural gas flaring usually associated with crude oil exploration. The World Bank’s global gas flaring reduction partnership (GGFR) estimated that about 400 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) is released to the atmosphere each year through natural gas flaring activities by oil companies. However, this is about one third of Europe’s natural gas consumption (Broere 2008).
Study Area
Nigeria is located in West Africa and it is it is considered to be the most populated country in Africa, covering an area of 923,970 square kilometers or 360,700 square miles (Ejibunu 2007).
Nigeria is a major oil producing country in Africa. It is considered the sixth largest deposit of natural gas and it is the eight largest crude oil producer and petroleum products in the world, producing an estimate of 2 million barrels of crude oil per day and a proven crude oil reserve of 35 billion barrels and natural gas reserve of 184 trillion cubic feet (EIA 2009).
Figure 1 is an administrative and political map of Nigeria. The Niger Delta according to Malumafashi (2007) is a low land having many parts of natural channels through which the river Niger finds its way to the ocean. The Niger Delta is geographically located in the southern part of Nigeria and has a total landmass of 76,00km2.
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
Unlike production practices in developed nations, multinational corporations have not been held to task in their responsibility to employ sustainable development, production and natural resource exploitation in Nigeria. One of these practices is the routine flaring of associated gasses as part of the crude oil production process. This is done using an elevated flare topped by a burner and igniter. It is a common practice, which can be performed without generating substantial ecological or social damage (Grizo 2012). Unfortunately, while this practice is closely legislated and regulated in developed countries, Nigeria does not have the same level of legislation and close regulation. As a result, a vast amount of Natural gas is wasted, the highest amount in any OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) member nation. Some studies indicate that countries such as Canada conserve about 92% of these associated gasses compared with 12% in Nigeria. The associated waste and environmental damage has been accumulating over the course of the past 45 years of exploitation and the environmental effects are broad reaching (Friends of the earth 2004). Madueme (2012)
OVERVIEW OF THE RESEARCH CASES
The research in regards to this problem has been done for a number of reasons, and there are varieties of findings. Unfortunately, most of the research was done to illustrate one or two aspects of the problem such as the economic repercussions or to demonstrate a research model Other studies such as the paper written by James Agro, PhD contain information perternant to any flaring that is valuable for a current review. In the case of the research done by British Petroleum and other multinational oil companies, research was done to prove no problem really existed at all. Unfortunately, the environmental damage is uncontrovertibly self-evident (Ishione 2005).
Although the damage is self-evident the data sets, studies and research has not kept up in addressing the problem as a whole. Because there is a research gap between past analysis documents and current information sources it is necessary to consolidate the existing data in order to move forward to a solution to today’s problems in the Niger Delta.
AIM AND OBJECTIVES
This research aims to comparatively examine the available data regarding flaring, resource exploitation, social and environmental impact. and compile it into one comprehensive body of knowledge that takes into account the full span of the varying concerns that influence the broader picture of environmental damages. To achieve the aim of addressing the environmental impacts of natural gas flaring in Nigeria’s Niger Delta that forms the focus of this thesis the set objectives are to;
Evaluate the severity of the effects from natural gas flares in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria;
Analyse the economic potentials of natural gas utilization in Nigeria;
Suggest possible alternative means by which the oil and gas companies can end natural gas flaring
Investigate how past effects can be remediated.
In developed nations, natural gas flaring is practiced differently than it is in Nigeria. There is a stronger body of legislation and laws are enforced more strictly. In the United States energy resource exploitation is a public issue that both candidates for president address daily. . The U.S. public expects and receives greater transparency and protection from its legislators. With the combination of unsound practices, ethnic diversity and biological sensitivity, the ecological effects of gas flaring in the Niger Delta Region presents a broad picture of many of the potential problems that could be suffered elsewhere. There are also considerations that occur in the Niger Delta, because of its expanse of wetlands and unexplored biodiversity that make it, and its problems unique. However, Nigeria presents a situation where research data exists for a span of decades and that presents the potential for answering the following issues (Orimoogunie et al 2010).
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The scope of the research is limited to data and document review from current sources and past reports and reviews. This study will take into account the known general facts about flaring, such as which compounds are released and how they affect the environment. It will also use historic and current data to evaluate environmental suffered since the institution of gas flaring. In a matter such as this where the environment has been steadily impacted for almost half a century past data weighed against current information will yield the most comprehensive evaluation of the environmental impacts of Natural gas flares in the Niger Delta Region.
OUTLINE OF THE CHAPTERS
Chapter One introduces the thesis and examines the background and objectives. Chapter Two explores the existing data and literature to compile a body of information that can be used to address the question. This involves review of the information compiled from all the different sources, and verifying its authenticity and accuracy. Chapter three explains critically about the various methods and methodologies for this research. Chapter four explains how result gotten from data and information are been analyzed and the results are discussed extensively, finally Chapter five concludes the research.
SUMMARY
Individual aspects of environmental damage cannot be examined out of context. The environment is more than the sum of its parts and cannot be taken apart and evaluated as you would do the pieces of a clock. When one element of the environment is damaged, it has a ripple effect that stretches out to all the others. Therefore, the existing research cases must be reviewed with this in mind.
Works Cited
Abhulimen, K. E. (2012). A Model to Rank the Risk of Environmental Impact on the Biodiversity around Pollution Systems. Retrieved 09 25, 2012, from University of Lagos: http://ipec.utulsa.edu/Conf2003/Papers/abhulimen_79.pdf
Argo, P. J. (2002, 01 18). UNHEALTHY EFFECTS OF UPSTREAM OIL AND GAS FLARING. Retrieved 09 25, 2012, from Sierra Club: http://www.sierraclub.ca/national/oil-and-gas-exploration/soss-oil-and-gas-flaring.pdf
CBS News. (2012, 10 16). WHY IT MATTERS - Energy. Retrieved 10 16, 2012, from CBS News: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505245_162-57533183/why-it-matters-energy/
Friends of the Earth. (2004, 10). Gas Flaring in Nigeria. Retrieved 09 26, 2012, from Friends of the Earth: http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/media_briefing/gasflaringinnigeria.pdf
Friends of the Environment. (2005, 06). Gas Flaring in Nigeria. Retrieved 09 26, 2012, from Friends of the Environment: http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/reports/gas_flaring_nigeria.pdf
Ishione, M. (2005). Gas Flaring in the Niger Delta: the Potential Benefits of its Reduction on the Local Economy and Environment. Retrieved 09 27, 2012, from University of California at Berkley: http://nature.berkeley.edu/classes/es196/projects/2004final/Ishone.pdf
Madueme, S. (2012). ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF WASTAGES IN THE NIGERIAN GAS INDUSTRY. Retrieved 09 25, 2012, from University of Nigeria, Nsukka: http://www.ijest.info/docs/IJEST10-02-04-51.pdf
Nations On Line. (2012). Administrative and Political Map of Nigeria. Retrieved 10 16, 2012, from Nations On Line: http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/map/nigeria_map2.htm
Urhobo Historical Society. (2012). A Map of Niger Delta Showing Oil Fields and Pipelines. Retrieved 10 16, 2012, from Urhobo Historical Society: http://www.waado.org/NigerDelta/Maps/Oilfields.html
