- 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.
North America Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring was 38.10 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 12.7% on 2022. Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring in North America 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.
North America Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring moved from 40.20 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 38.10 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−5.2%), an average of −0.7% a year. The series high was 47.90 Million Tonnes in 2019 and the low 31.40 Million Tonnes in 2017.
The gap between the series high (2019) and low (2017) is 16.50 Million Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +29.3% in 2018.
Within North America, U.S. has the highest value in 2023 at 21.00 Million Tonnes, 55.1% of the regional total.
Country ranking
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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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 38.10 | +12.7% |
| 2022 | 33.80 | −10.8% |
| 2021 | 37.90 | −7.6% |
| 2020 | 41.00 | −14.4% |
| 2019Peak | 47.90 | +18% |
| 2018 | 40.60 | +29.3% |
| 2017 Trough | 31.40 | −4.3% |
| 2016 | 32.80 | −18.4% |
| 2015 | 40.20 | — |
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.
Natural gas flaring remains an important operational practice in North America's upstream oil and gas sector, particularly where associated gas cannot be economically captured or transported. The region recorded 40.2 million tonnes of carbon emissions from natural gas flaring in 2015, declining to 32.8 million tonnes in 2016 and 31.4 million tonnes in 2017. Emissions then increased to 40.6 million tonnes in 2018 and peaked at 47.9 million tonnes in 2019, reflecting higher upstream production and increased flaring activity. In 2020, emissions declined to 41.0 million tonnes due to weaker energy demand and operational disruptions, before falling further to 37.9 million tonnes in 2021 and 33.8 million tonnes in 2022. A moderate recovery was observed in 2023, when emissions reached 38.1 million tonnes. The U.S. remained the largest contributor throughout the period, rising from 24.2 million tonnes in 2015 to 34.9 million tonnes in 2019 before declining to 21.0 million tonnes in 2023. Canada maintained comparatively low emissions, ranging between 2.3 million tonnes and 3.9 million tonnes, supported by improved gas utilization and environmental regulations. Mexico showed greater variation, decreasing from 12.1 million tonnes in 2015 to 9.1 million tonnes in 2017 before increasing to 15.8 million tonnes in 2021 and ending at 14.4 million tonnes in 2023. Overall, these trends reflect the impact of production cycles, infrastructure availability, regulatory measures, and emission reduction efforts, offering valuable insights into North America's progress toward more efficient and sustainable oil and gas operations.
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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.
North America Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring was 38.10 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 12.7% on 2022.
North America Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring moved from 40.20 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 38.10 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−5.2%), an average of −0.7% a year. The series high was 47.90 Million Tonnes in 2019 and the low 31.40 Million Tonnes in 2017.
The highest value was 47.90 Million Tonnes in 2019 and the lowest was 31.40 Million Tonnes in 2017.
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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