ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF GAS FLARING IN THE NIGER DELTA REGION OF NIGERIA
INTRODUCTION
The development of energy resources in combination with 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 process each phase of the system needs careful examination to maximize production and minimize environmental impact. The Nigeria and the Niger Delta have been victims of unsound natural resource exploitation for 45 years that has resulted in a series of Environmental impacts, many of which were created by improper gas flaring in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. Therefore, it is now necessary to Evaluate the severity of the effects from natural gas flares in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. When that is done the next part of the process is to assess the oil companies’ activities with respect to flaring natural gas. However just looking at a problem is not enough; it is time to suggest possible way and ideas by which the oil and gas companies can end natural gas flaring. Change in the future is essential, but to truly move forward we must also investigate how can past effects can be remediated. Through this procedure, we can address the environmental impacts of gas flaring in the Niger delta region of Nigeria
1.0
CONTEXTUAL BACKGROUND
Resource development and its environmental impact have become an increasing source of concern, especially in developed nations who possess substantial resources in populated regions. They look to see what the impact has been in other areas of the world where similar resource development has already made an environmental impact. Because Nigeria has a combination of wetlands, farming and differing experiences as viewed by the various people from the many ethnic groups that inhabit this area it serves as a useful area to study in regards to the potential impact in other areas of the world. .
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 is being considered or in its first phases of development this greater diversity does present an indication of how ongoing natural gas production might impact upon these areas.
Gas flares are only one element in the tapping of natural gas 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 an environmental impact. There have been studies that 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.” . Since corporations have a vested interest in minimizing the public perception of effects of gas flares on the environment there are other groups who studied this problem, from a variety of perspectives.
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 special 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. (Wikipedia although not considered a scholarly source in its own right lists 32 apparently scholarly sources on this topic).
1.2
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
For over 45 years oil production and gas flaring has been a part of life in Nigeria. 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 natural gas 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. . Unfortunately, while this practice is closely legislated and regulated in developed countries the laws and their enforcement do not exist in Nigeria. As a result vast amounts of natural gas are 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. . . Numerous studies have been done and the development of these problems has been documented over a long span of years.
1.3
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. In the case of the research done by the multinational oil companies, research was done to prove no problem really existed at all. Unfortunately, the environmental damage is uncontrovertibly self-evident. .
This research aims to comparatively examine the data from all sources 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 damage.
1.4 AIM AND OBJECTIVES
In developed nations gas flaring is practiced differently than it is in Nigeria. With the combination of unsound practices, ethnic diversity and biological sensitivity the ecological effects of gas flaring in the Nigerian Delta presents a broad picture of many of the potential problems that could be suffered elsewhere. There are also considerations that occur in the Nigerian Delta, because of its expanse of wetlands and unexplored biodiversity. However, Nigeria presents a situation where research data exists for a span of decades and that presents the potential for answering the following issues. .
Evaluate the severity of the effects from natural gas flares in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
Assess the oil companies’ activities with respect to flaring natural gas.
Suggest possible way and ideas by which the oil and gas companies can end natural gas flaring
Investigate how can past effects can be remediated.
1.5
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
1.6
SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The scope of the research is limited to a data and document review from current sources and past reports and reviews. 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 impact of gas flares in the Nigerian Delta Region.
1.7
OUTLINE OF THECHAPTERS
Chapter One introduces the research 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.
1.8
SUMMARY
Individual aspects of environmental damage is 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.
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