Non-CO2 gaseous emissions from upstream oil and gas operations in Nigeria

The Nigerian crude oil is formed in association with natural gas. The associated gas has mostly been flared in the process of crude oil exploitation. Current estimates are that approximately 70% of produced natural gas is flared. Carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides emissions from oil and gas exploitation activities are presented for major combustion activities: gas flares and power generation at oil fields for oil and gas gathering systems. The emissions rates and combustion efficiency for a newly tested modified flaring system with enhanced air supply and liquid aspiration system for the atomization of the condensate phases of the flared gas was found to be capable of improving combustion efficiency by 20% or more in comparison with the conventional flare-type currently in vogue. Flare emissions for CO and NO_x are an order of magnitude higher than other sources in the oil and gas sector.