- 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.
Global Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring was 317.4 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 7% on 2022. Global Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring was 317.4 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 7% on 2022. Global Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring moved from 309 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 317.4 Million Tonnes in 2023 (+2.7%), an average of +0.3% a year.
Global Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring moved from 309 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 317.4 Million Tonnes in 2023 (+2.7%), an average of +0.3% a year. The series high was 317.4 Million Tonnes in 2023 and the low 296.6 Million Tonnes in 2022.
The gap between the series high (2023) and low (2022) is 20.80 Million Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +7% in 2023.
Of the 28 countries in this dataset, Russia, U.S. and Algeria have the highest values in 2023 (59.40, 21.00, 16.70 Million Tonnes respectively).
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 | U.S. | 21.00 | +18.6% | |
| 3 | Algeria | 16.70 | −3.5% | |
| 4 | Mexico | 14.40 | +4.3% | |
| 5 | Nigeria | 11.50 | +7.5% | |
| 6 | Saudi Arabia | 6.80 | +33.3% | |
| 7 | China | 4.90 | −2% | |
| 8 | Egypt | 4.40 | 0% | |
| 9 | Indonesia | 4.20 | +13.5% | |
| 10 | India | 4.10 | 0% | |
| 11 | Oman | 3.70 | −11.9% | |
| 12 | Malaysia | 3.40 | −2.9% | |
| 13 | Brazil | 2.70 | +35% | |
| 14 | Qatar | 2.60 | 0% | |
| 15 | Canada | 2.60 | +13% | |
| 16 | Turkmenistan | 2.40 | +9.1% | |
| 17 | Argentina | 2.40 | −4% | |
| 18 | UAE | 2.10 | −4.5% | |
| 19 | Kazakhstan | 2.00 | 0% | |
| 20 | Kuwait | 1.60 | +6.7% | |
| 21 | UK | 1.40 | +16.7% | |
| 22 | Australia | 1.30 | −7.1% | |
| 23 | Vietnam | 1.30 | +8.3% | |
| 24 | Colombia | 0.700 | +40% | |
| 25 | Thailand | 0.500 | 0% | |
| 26 | Denmark | 0.100 | 0% | |
| 27 | Germany | 0.100 | — | |
| 28 | Italy | 0.100 | 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 | 317.4 | +7% |
| 2022 Trough | 296.6 | −3.8% |
| 2021 | 308.3 | +2.6% |
| 2020 | 300.5 | −5.1% |
| 2019 | 316.8 | +3.9% |
| 2018 | 305 | +2.3% |
| 2017 | 298.1 | −5.4% |
| 2016 | 315.2 | +2% |
| 2015 | 309 | — |
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 series high was 317.4 Million Tonnes in 2023 and the low 296.6 Million Tonnes in 2022. The gap between the series high (2023) and low (2022) is 20.80 Million Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +7% in 2023. Of the 28 countries in this dataset, Russia, U.S. and Algeria have the highest values in 2023 (59.40, 21.00, 16.70 Million Tonnes respectively).
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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.
Global Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring was 317.4 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 7% on 2022.
Global Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring moved from 309 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 317.4 Million Tonnes in 2023 (+2.7%), an average of +0.3% a year. The series high was 317.4 Million Tonnes in 2023 and the low 296.6 Million Tonnes in 2022.
The highest value was 317.4 Million Tonnes in 2023 and the lowest was 296.6 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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