- 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.
Saudi Arabia Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring was 6.80 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 33.3% on 2022. The Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring dataset of Saudi Arabia from 2015 to 2023 provides a clear and consistent view of the country's natural gas flaring emissions landscape, highlighting flaring activity trends, gas disposal patterns, and long-term environmental performance.
Saudi Arabia Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring moved from 5.50 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 6.80 Million Tonnes in 2023 (+23.6%), an average of +2.7% a year. The series high was 6.80 Million Tonnes in 2023 and the low 5.10 Million Tonnes in 2022.
The gap between the series high (2023) and low (2022) is 1.70 Million Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +33.3% in 2023.
Among the 28 countries in this dataset, Saudi Arabia ranks 6 for 2023, behind Russia (59.40 Million Tonnes) and U.S. (21.00 Million Tonnes). It accounts for 2.1% of the global total in 2023.
Full series
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Million Tonnes.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| Year | Million Tonnes | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023Peak | 6.80 | +33.3% |
| 2022 Trough | 5.10 | −8.9% |
| 2021 | 5.60 | −1.8% |
| 2020 | 5.70 | +9.6% |
| 2019 | 5.20 | −10.3% |
| 2018 | 5.80 | 0% |
| 2017 | 5.80 | −7.9% |
| 2016 | 6.30 | +14.5% |
| 2015 | 5.50 | — |
Regional context
Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring by country, 2023, Million Tonnes. Saudi Arabia 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 the volume of carbon emissions generated through natural gas flaring and serves as an important indicator of upstream oil and gas operations, resource management practices, and emission reduction progress.
Saudi Arabia recorded 5.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions from natural gas flaring in 2015, increasing to 6.3 million tonnes in 2016, the highest level during the first half of the study period. Emissions declined to 5.8 million tonnes in 2017 and remained unchanged in 2018. Carbon emissions decreased to 5.2 million tonnes in 2019 before rising to 5.7 million tonnes in 2020 and easing slightly to 5.6 million tonnes in 2021. Emissions declined further to 5.1 million tonnes in 2022, the lowest level recorded during the observed period, before increasing sharply to 6.8 million tonnes in 2023, the highest value in the dataset.
Overall, the dataset demonstrates moderate year-to-year fluctuations rather than a consistent long-term trend. Although emissions generally declined between 2016 and 2022, the significant increase recorded in 2023 indicates higher flaring activity or changing operational conditions within the upstream energy sector. Despite these variations, emissions remained within a relatively limited range for most of the study period.
The dataset is valuable for evaluating Saudi Arabia's long-term flaring emission performance, monitoring trends in natural gas management, supporting environmental policy assessments, and benchmarking national performance against other major hydrocarbon-producing countries. It also provides a reliable basis for forecasting future flaring emissions and understanding the relationship between hydrocarbon production, gas utilization efficiency, and environmental sustainability.
Using this data in a report, paper or presentation? Copy a formatted citation.
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.
Saudi Arabia Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring was 6.80 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 33.3% on 2022.
Saudi Arabia Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring moved from 5.50 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 6.80 Million Tonnes in 2023 (+23.6%), an average of +2.7% a year. The series high was 6.80 Million Tonnes in 2023 and the low 5.10 Million Tonnes in 2022.
The highest value was 6.80 Million Tonnes in 2023 and the lowest was 5.10 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.
Need more data?
Need a longer historical series, a custom country set, additional dimensions, or a tailored dataset? Send us your requirement.