- 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.
Commonwealth of Independent States Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring was 65.70 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 12.9% on 2022. Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring in the Commonwealth of Independent States Between 2015 and 2023 provides a comprehensive assessment of regional flaring-related carbon emissions, highlighting historical trends, production dynamics, and environmental implications across the oil and gas industry.
Commonwealth of Independent States Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring moved from 56.20 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 65.70 Million Tonnes in 2023 (+16.9%), an average of +2% a year. The series high was 65.70 Million Tonnes in 2023 and the low 52.10 Million Tonnes in 2018.
The gap between the series high (2023) and low (2018) is 13.60 Million Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +12.9% in 2023.
Within Commonwealth of Independent States, Russia has the highest value in 2023 at 59.40 Million Tonnes, 90.4% of the regional total.
Country ranking
Million Tonnes. Sort by any column, or search for a country.
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| Rank↕ | Country↕ | Share of top | Million Tonnes↕ | vs 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Russia | 59.40 | +12.9% | |
| 2 | Turkmenistan | 2.40 | +9.1% | |
| 3 | Kazakhstan | 2.00 | 0% |
By region
Million Tonnes, 2023. Each bar is that region's total.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2023Peak | 65.70 | +12.9% |
| 2022 | 58.20 | −3.2% |
| 2021 | 60.10 | +2.9% |
| 2020 | 58.40 | +4.5% |
| 2019 | 55.90 | +7.3% |
| 2018 Trough | 52.10 | −1% |
| 2017 | 52.60 | −12% |
| 2016 | 59.80 | +6.4% |
| 2015 | 56.20 | — |
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.
The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) is a major hydrocarbon-producing region where natural gas flaring is influenced by upstream production levels, associated gas utilization, infrastructure development, and environmental regulations. Measured in million tonnes, the dataset offers valuable insights into regional emission trends and the effectiveness of gas management practices.
The region recorded 56.2 million tonnes of carbon emissions from natural gas flaring in 2015, increasing to 59.8 million tonnes in 2016 before declining to 52.6 million tonnes in 2017 and 52.1 million tonnes in 2018. Emissions increased to 55.9 million tonnes in 2019, followed by 58.4 million tonnes in 2020, 60.1 million tonnes in 2021, a slight decline to 58.2 million tonnes in 2022, and a period high of 65.7 million tonnes in 2023. Russia remained the dominant contributor throughout the period, with emissions increasing from 42.5 million tonnes in 2015 to 59.4 million tonnes in 2023, despite fluctuations during the review period. Kazakhstan recorded a significant decline from 7.3 million tonnes in 2015 to 2.0 million tonnes in 2023, reflecting improved gas utilization practices. Turkmenistan also reduced emissions from 3.7 million tonnes to 2.4 million tonnes, while the remaining CIS countries collectively contributed between 1.4 million tonnes and 2.7 million tonnes.
Overall, the regional trend reflects sustained upstream oil and gas activity alongside varying progress in reducing routine flaring across member countries. The dataset supports emission monitoring, environmental assessments, climate policy development, energy market analysis, and evidence-based decision-making while providing valuable insights into the CIS region's efforts to improve gas utilization and reduce the environmental impact of hydrocarbon production.
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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.
Commonwealth of Independent States Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring was 65.70 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 12.9% on 2022.
Commonwealth of Independent States Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring moved from 56.20 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 65.70 Million Tonnes in 2023 (+16.9%), an average of +2% a year. The series high was 65.70 Million Tonnes in 2023 and the low 52.10 Million Tonnes in 2018.
The highest value was 65.70 Million Tonnes in 2023 and the lowest was 52.10 Million Tonnes in 2018.
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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