- 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.
U.S. Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring was 21.00 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 18.6% on 2022. The Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring dataset of the United States 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.
U.S. Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring moved from 24.20 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 21.00 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−13.2%), an average of −1.8% a year. The series high was 34.90 Million Tonnes in 2019 and the low 17.70 Million Tonnes in 2022.
The gap between the series high (2019) and low (2022) is 17.20 Million Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +46.7% in 2018.
Among the 28 countries in this dataset, U.S. ranks 2 for 2023, behind Russia (59.40 Million Tonnes) and Algeria (16.70 Million Tonnes). It accounts for 6.6% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 21.00 | +18.6% |
| 2022 Trough | 17.70 | −9.7% |
| 2021 | 19.60 | −21.6% |
| 2020 | 25.00 | −28.4% |
| 2019Peak | 34.90 | +22% |
| 2018 | 28.60 | +46.7% |
| 2017 | 19.50 | +6.6% |
| 2016 | 18.30 | −24.4% |
| 2015 | 24.20 | — |
Regional context
Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring by country, 2023, Million Tonnes. U.S. 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.
The United States recorded 24.2 million tonnes of carbon emissions from natural gas flaring in 2015, declining to 18.3 million tonnes in 2016 before increasing slightly to 19.5 million tonnes in 2017. Emissions rose sharply to 28.6 million tonnes in 2018 and reached a peak of 34.9 million tonnes in 2019, indicating higher flaring activity associated with expanding oil and gas production. In 2020, emissions declined substantially to 25.0 million tonnes, reflecting reduced production and lower energy demand. The downward trend continued with emissions falling to 19.6 million tonnes in 2021 and 17.7 million tonnes in 2022, the lowest level during the observed period. In 2023, emissions increased moderately to 21.0 million tonnes, remaining well below the 2019 peak.
Overall, the dataset demonstrates considerable year-to-year variation, with emissions rising during periods of increased hydrocarbon production and declining following market adjustments and operational improvements. The overall trend after 2019 indicates progress toward reducing routine gas flaring through improved gas utilization, infrastructure expansion, and emission management initiatives across the energy sector.
The dataset is valuable for evaluating the United States' long-term flaring emission performance, monitoring changes in natural gas management practices, supporting environmental policy assessments, and benchmarking trends against other producing countries. It also provides a reliable foundation for forecasting future flaring emissions and understanding the relationship between hydrocarbon production, gas utilization, and environmental sustainability.
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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.
U.S. Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring was 21.00 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 18.6% on 2022.
U.S. Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring moved from 24.20 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 21.00 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−13.2%), an average of −1.8% a year. The series high was 34.90 Million Tonnes in 2019 and the low 17.70 Million Tonnes in 2022.
The highest value was 34.90 Million Tonnes in 2019 and the lowest was 17.70 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.
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