- 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.
Middle East Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring was 99.00 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 7% on 2022. Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring in Middle East 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.
Middle East Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring moved from 77.50 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 99.00 Million Tonnes in 2023 (+27.7%), an average of +3.1% a year. The series high was 99.00 Million Tonnes in 2023 and the low 77.50 Million Tonnes in 2015.
The gap between the series high (2023) and low (2015) is 21.50 Million Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +17.4% in 2016.
Within Middle East, Saudi Arabia has the highest value in 2023 at 6.80 Million Tonnes, 6.9% 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 | Saudi Arabia | 6.80 | +33.3% | |
| 2 | Oman | 3.70 | −11.9% | |
| 3 | Qatar | 2.60 | 0% | |
| 4 | UAE | 2.10 | −4.5% | |
| 5 | Kuwait | 1.60 | +6.7% |
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 | 99.00 | +7% |
| 2022 | 92.50 | −2.6% |
| 2021 | 95.00 | +11.9% |
| 2020 | 84.90 | −1.8% |
| 2019 | 86.50 | −6.7% |
| 2018 | 92.70 | −1.3% |
| 2017 | 93.90 | +3.2% |
| 2016 | 91.00 | +17.4% |
| 2015 Trough | 77.50 | — |
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 Middle East remains one of the world's largest oil and gas producing regions, where natural gas flaring is influenced by upstream production volumes, associated gas management practices, infrastructure availability, and environmental policies. The region recorded 77.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions from natural gas flaring in 2015, increasing to 91.0 million tonnes in 2016 and reaching 93.9 million tonnes in 2017. Emissions remained elevated at 92.7 million tonnes in 2018 before declining to 86.5 million tonnes in 2019 and 84.9 million tonnes in 2020. Regional emissions subsequently increased to 95.0 million tonnes in 2021, eased slightly to 92.5 million tonnes in 2022, and reached a period high of 99.0 million tonnes in 2023. Saudi Arabia remained the largest reported contributor among the listed countries, with emissions rising from 5.5 million tonnes in 2015 to 6.8 million tonnes in 2023 despite year-to-year fluctuations. Oman consistently recorded relatively high emissions, declining from 4.8 million tonnes in 2015 to 3.7 million tonnes in 2023. Qatar maintained emissions between 2.6 million tonnes and 3.3 million tonnes, while the UAE fluctuated within the 2.0–2.6 million tonne range over the reporting period. Kuwait recorded comparatively lower emissions, varying from 1.7 million tonnes to 2.6 million tonnes before ending at 1.6 million tonnes in 2023. The remaining Middle Eastern countries accounted for the overwhelming majority of regional emissions, increasing from 60.1 million tonnes in 2015 to 82.2 million tonnes in 2023. Overall, the regional trend reflects sustained hydrocarbon production, evolving gas utilization infrastructure, changing operational practices, and ongoing efforts to reduce routine flaring while balancing energy production with environmental sustainability across the Middle East.
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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.
Middle East Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring was 99.00 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 7% on 2022.
Middle East Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring moved from 77.50 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 99.00 Million Tonnes in 2023 (+27.7%), an average of +3.1% a year. The series high was 99.00 Million Tonnes in 2023 and the low 77.50 Million Tonnes in 2015.
The highest value was 99.00 Million Tonnes in 2023 and the lowest was 77.50 Million Tonnes in 2015.
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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