Oil expert Othman Al-Hudairi wrote an article in which he said:
The flaring of associated gas at oil fields, whether onshore or offshore, is one of the most prominent environmental challenges facing the oil sector. It results in greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants, in addition to wasting an economic resource that could otherwise be used for power generation or various industries.
Despite the efforts announced from time to time, the continued flaring operations at a number of mature fields, as well as at some newer projects such as Nafusa and Zallaf, raise legitimate questions about the effectiveness of strategic plans to reduce flaring and utilize associated gas. As for offshore fields, the technical and operational challenges may be greater, but this does not eliminate the need to comply with environmental standards and develop practical, implementable solutions.
It appears that, in many cases, priority is given to maintaining production and achieving operational targets, while environmental considerations are given lower priority. This is despite the fact that modern practices in the oil industry demonstrate that it is possible to strike a balance between increasing production and complying with environmental requirements by investing in the infrastructure needed to collect, process, and utilize gas.
As for the “Zero Routine Flaring” initiative, it represents an important international goal and is not merely a media slogan. However, the value of this commitment is measured by the actual reduction in flaring rates achieved on the ground, rather than by what is presented at international conferences and forums. Environmental indicators and operational data are the true benchmarks for measuring progress, while international bodies and organizations have various means of monitoring the performance of countries and companies in this area.
Addressing this issue should not be viewed as a burden on the sector, but rather as a long-term investment that delivers both environmental and economic benefits by reducing emissions, preserving resources, and maximizing the added value of associated gas instead of losing it through flaring. Therefore, the success of any flaring reduction strategy requires clear institutional commitment, sufficient investment, and transparency in publishing data on the quantities of gas flared and the rates of reduction achieved. This would strengthen confidence and make announced commitments measurable and assessable.
In general, I would like to remind readers of the stories of the successive heads of the National Oil Corporation who have repeatedly promised—and failed to deliver on their promises—to establish a cooking gas plant at the Zallaf and Nafusa fields. Do you remember??
We are still following the issue, and we will not relent in doing so.
