- Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring refers to the amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emitted as a result of burning (flaring) natural gas during oil and gas production, processing, and extraction activities within a given year.
Colombia Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring was 0.700 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 40% on 2022. The Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring dataset of Colombia from 2015 to 2023 provides a clear and consistent view of the country's natural gas flaring emissions landscape, highlighting flaring activity trends, gas disposal patterns, and long-term environmental performance.
Colombia Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring moved from 1.60 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 0.700 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−56.2%), an average of −9.8% a year. The series high was 1.60 Million Tonnes in 2015 and the low 0.500 Million Tonnes in 2022.
The gap between the series high (2015) and low (2022) is 1.10 Million Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +40% in 2023.
Among the 28 countries in this dataset, Colombia ranks 24 for 2023, behind Russia (59.40 Million Tonnes) and U.S. (21.00 Million Tonnes). It accounts for 0.2% of the global total in 2023.
Full series
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Million Tonnes.
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| Year | Million Tonnes | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 0.700 | +40% |
| 2022 Trough | 0.500 | −28.6% |
| 2021 | 0.700 | −12.5% |
| 2020 | 0.800 | −27.3% |
| 2019 | 1.10 | +10% |
| 2018 | 1.00 | −9.1% |
| 2017 | 1.10 | −8.3% |
| 2016 | 1.20 | −25% |
| 2015Peak | 1.60 | — |
Regional context
Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring by country, 2023, Million Tonnes. Colombia is highlighted.
Data definition
Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring — - Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring refers to the amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emitted as a result of burning (flaring) natural gas during oil and gas production, processing, and extraction activities within a given year. Natural gas flaring is commonly used to dispose of excess or unwanted gas that cannot be economically captured, transported, or utilized. The indicator is typically measured in million tonnes of carbon dioxide (MtCO₂) and serves as an important measure of emissions associated with upstream oil and gas operations, operational efficiency, and environmental performance.
The data includes CO₂ emissions generated from the controlled combustion of natural gas through routine and non-routine flaring at oil fields, gas processing facilities, refineries, offshore production platforms, and other petroleum production sites. It covers emissions from associated gas flaring during crude oil extraction as well as flaring conducted for operational safety, equipment maintenance, testing, emergencies, and production management. The indicator is compiled using standardized international methodologies based on reported flaring volumes, satellite observations, and emission conversion factors, enabling consistent comparison of flaring-related emissions across countries and over time.
The data excludes carbon emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels for electricity generation, industrial production, transportation, residential, and commercial energy use that are unrelated to natural gas flaring. It also excludes methane emissions released through venting, fugitive emissions from oil and gas infrastructure, and greenhouse gases other than carbon dioxide unless specifically converted into CO₂-equivalent values. Emissions from land-use change, industrial processes, waste management, and agriculture are not included. Additionally, the indicator does not account for emissions avoided through gas recovery, reinjection, or utilization projects, and minor variations may occur due to differences in national reporting methods, satellite detection, and estimation techniques.
Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring — - Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring refers to the amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emitted as a result of burning (flaring) natural gas during oil and gas production, processing, and extraction activities within a given year. Natural gas flaring is commonly used to dispose of excess or unwanted gas that cannot be economically captured, transported, or utilized. The indicator is typically measured in million tonnes of carbon dioxide (MtCO₂) and serves as an important measure of emissions associated with upstream oil and gas operations, operational efficiency, and environmental performance.
Measured in thousand tonnes, the dataset reflects the volume of carbon emissions generated through natural gas flaring and serves as an important indicator of upstream oil and gas operations, resource management practices, and emission reduction progress.
Colombia recorded 1,600 thousand tonnes of carbon emissions from natural gas flaring in 2015, declining to 1,200 thousand tonnes in 2016 and 1,100 thousand tonnes in 2017. Emissions decreased further to 1,000 thousand tonnes in 2018 before rising slightly to 1,100 thousand tonnes in 2019. Carbon emissions fell to 800 thousand tonnes in 2020, followed by 700 thousand tonnes in 2021, reaching the lowest level of 500 thousand tonnes in 2022. Emissions increased modestly to 700 thousand tonnes in 2023, although they remained substantially below the levels observed at the beginning of the study period.
Overall, the dataset demonstrates a pronounced long-term decline in carbon emissions from natural gas flaring with only limited year-to-year fluctuations. The consistent reduction indicates improvements in gas utilization, operational efficiency, and flaring management practices across Colombia's upstream energy sector. While emissions increased slightly in the final year, the overall trend reflects meaningful progress in reducing routine natural gas flaring.
The dataset is valuable for evaluating Colombia's long-term flaring emission performance, monitoring trends in natural gas management, supporting environmental policy assessments, and benchmarking national performance against other hydrocarbon-producing countries. It also provides a reliable foundation for forecasting future flaring emissions and understanding the relationship between hydrocarbon production, gas utilization efficiency, and environmental sustainability.
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Definition- Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring refers to the amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emitted as a result of burning (flaring) natural gas during oil and gas production, processing, and extraction activities within a given year. Natural gas flaring is commonly used to dispose of excess or unwanted gas that cannot be economically captured, transported, or utilized. The indicator is typically measured in million tonnes of carbon dioxide (MtCO₂) and serves as an important measure of emissions associated with upstream oil and gas operations, operational efficiency, and environmental performance.
Colombia Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring was 0.700 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 40% on 2022.
Colombia Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring moved from 1.60 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 0.700 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−56.2%), an average of −9.8% a year. The series high was 1.60 Million Tonnes in 2015 and the low 0.500 Million Tonnes in 2022.
The highest value was 1.60 Million Tonnes in 2015 and the lowest was 0.500 Million Tonnes in 2022.
Included: The data includes CO₂ emissions generated from the controlled combustion of natural gas through routine and non-routine flaring at oil fields, gas processing facilities, refineries, offshore production platforms, and other petroleum production sites. It covers emissions from associated gas flaring during crude oil extraction as well as flaring conducted for operational safety, equipment maintenance, testing, emergencies, and production management. The indicator is compiled using standardized international methodologies based on reported flaring volumes, satellite observations, and emission conversion factors, enabling consistent comparison of flaring-related emissions across countries and over time. Excluded: The data excludes carbon emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels for electricity generation, industrial production, transportation, residential, and commercial energy use that are unrelated to natural gas flaring. It also excludes methane emissions released through venting, fugitive emissions from oil and gas infrastructure, and greenhouse gases other than carbon dioxide unless specifically converted into CO₂-equivalent values. Emissions from land-use change, industrial processes, waste management, and agriculture are not included. Additionally, the indicator does not account for emissions avoided through gas recovery, reinjection, or utilization projects, and minor variations may occur due to differences in national reporting methods, satellite detection, and estimation techniques.
The series is sourced from energyinst.org (https://www.energyinst.org/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/1542714/684_EI_Stat_Review_V16_DIGITAL.pdf). It covers 2015–2023 and is reported in Million Tonnes.
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