- 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.
South and Central America Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring was 29.40 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 1.7% on 2022. Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring in South and Central 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.
South and Central America Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring moved from 30.10 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 29.40 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−2.3%), an average of −0.3% a year. The series high was 30.30 Million Tonnes in 2019 and the low 24.40 Million Tonnes in 2017.
The gap between the series high (2019) and low (2017) is 5.90 Million Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was −19.2% in 2017.
Within South and Central America, Brazil has the highest value in 2023 at 2.70 Million Tonnes, 9.2% 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 | 29.40 | +1.7% |
| 2022 | 28.90 | +3.2% |
| 2021 | 28.00 | −0.7% |
| 2020 | 28.20 | −6.9% |
| 2019Peak | 30.30 | +13.5% |
| 2018 | 26.70 | +9.4% |
| 2017 Trough | 24.40 | −19.2% |
| 2016 | 30.20 | +0.3% |
| 2015 | 30.10 | — |
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.
South and Central America is an important hydrocarbon-producing region where natural gas flaring is influenced by upstream oil production, associated gas management, infrastructure availability, and environmental regulations. The region recorded 30,100 thousand tonnes of carbon emissions from natural gas flaring in 2015, increasing slightly to 30,200 thousand tonnes in 2016 before declining to 24,400 thousand tonnes in 2017. Emissions rose to 26,700 thousand tonnes in 2018 and 30,300 thousand tonnes in 2019. During 2020, emissions declined to 28,200 thousand tonnes, followed by 28,000 thousand tonnes in 2021 and 28,900 thousand tonnes in 2022. In 2023, regional emissions increased modestly to 29,400 thousand tonnes. Brazil remained one of the leading contributors, with emissions fluctuating from 3,000 thousand tonnes in 2015 to 2,700 thousand tonnes in 2023 after peaking at 3,400 thousand tonnes in 2016. Argentina recorded an overall increase from 1,500 thousand tonnes in 2015 to 2,400 thousand tonnes in 2023. Colombia showed a declining trend, with emissions decreasing from 1,600 thousand tonnes in 2015 to 700 thousand tonnes in 2023. The remaining countries accounted for the largest share of regional emissions, fluctuating between 19,500 thousand tonnes and 24,500 thousand tonnes throughout the period. Overall, the regional trend reflects changing production activity, infrastructure development, regulatory measures, and gas recovery initiatives, providing valuable insights into the environmental performance and sustainability of South and Central America's oil and gas sector.
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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.
South and Central America Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring was 29.40 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 1.7% on 2022.
South and Central America Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring moved from 30.10 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 29.40 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−2.3%), an average of −0.3% a year. The series high was 30.30 Million Tonnes in 2019 and the low 24.40 Million Tonnes in 2017.
The highest value was 30.30 Million Tonnes in 2019 and the lowest was 24.40 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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