- 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.
Russia Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring was 59.40 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 12.9% on 2022. The Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring dataset of Russia from 2015 to 2023 provides a clear and consistent view of the country's gas flaring emission profile, highlighting flaring emissions, gas disposal trends, and environmental impacts over the observed period.
Russia Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring moved from 42.50 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 59.40 Million Tonnes in 2023 (+39.8%), an average of +4.3% a year. The series high was 59.40 Million Tonnes in 2023 and the low 42.30 Million Tonnes in 2017.
The gap between the series high (2023) and low (2017) is 17.10 Million Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +13.4% in 2016.
Among the 28 countries in this dataset, Russia ranks 1 for 2023. It accounts for 18.7% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2023Peak | 59.40 | +12.9% |
| 2022 | 52.60 | −1.3% |
| 2021 | 53.30 | +5.3% |
| 2020 | 50.60 | +5.4% |
| 2019 | 48.00 | +11.9% |
| 2018 | 42.90 | +1.4% |
| 2017 Trough | 42.30 | −12.2% |
| 2016 | 48.20 | +13.4% |
| 2015 | 42.50 | — |
Regional context
Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring by country, 2023, Million Tonnes. Russia 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 million tonnes, the dataset reflects carbon emissions generated from natural gas flaring during oil and gas production, making it an important indicator of upstream operational practices, gas utilization efficiency, environmental performance, and emission management.
Russia recorded carbon emissions from natural gas flaring of 42.5 million tonnes in 2015, increasing to 48.2 million tonnes in 2016 before declining to 42.3 million tonnes in 2017. Emissions remained relatively stable at 42.9 million tonnes in 2018 before increasing to 48.0 million tonnes in 2019. Carbon emissions continued to rise to 50.6 million tonnes in 2020, 53.3 million tonnes in 2021, 52.6 million tonnes in 2022, and reached 59.4 million tonnes in 2023, the highest level during the review period.
Overall, the dataset highlights an overall upward trend in Russia's carbon emissions from natural gas flaring despite periodic fluctuations. The trend reflects continued upstream oil and gas activity, varying gas utilization rates, and operational factors influencing flaring volumes across the country's petroleum sector.
The dataset serves as a valuable resource for monitoring flaring-related emissions, evaluating environmental performance, and assessing long-term emission trends. It also supports sustainability assessments, climate policy development, investment analysis, and regulatory decision-making. Researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders can use the information to evaluate emission reduction progress, gas management strategies, and future opportunities for improving environmental performance.
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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.
Russia Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring was 59.40 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 12.9% on 2022.
Russia Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring moved from 42.50 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 59.40 Million Tonnes in 2023 (+39.8%), an average of +4.3% a year. The series high was 59.40 Million Tonnes in 2023 and the low 42.30 Million Tonnes in 2017.
The highest value was 59.40 Million Tonnes in 2023 and the lowest was 42.30 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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