Uchenna Izundu
International Editor
LONDON, Dec. 15 -- Total SA plans to cut its gas flaring by 50% at its operated facilities by 2012 because it wants to help reduce climate change and promote energy efficiency and sustainability.
Total said it has reduced gas flaring by 40% during 1998-2005 at its operated facilities despite boosting its gas production levels. "Associated gas flaring accounted for 23% of its greenhouse gas emissions in 2005," Total added.
A Total spokesman told OGJ that it would concentrate on reducing flaring in the Gulf of Guinea as well as projects in other places.
"We will look at reinjecting gas back into oil fields," he said. Total also would like to send gas to the proposed 5 million tonne/year Angola LNG project, which is led by Chevron Corp. Total plans to use otherwise flared gas for electric power generation in Nigeria and is keen to produce methanol, he added.
He declined to tell OGJ how much it would cost to reduce gas flaring.
Total is a member of the World Bank's Global Gas Flaring Reduction partnership. Established in August 2002 by the World Bank, the public-private partnership facilitates and supports national efforts to use currently flared gas. Partners include governments of oil-producing countries, state-owned companies, and major international oil companies.
In 2000, Total set a "zero flaring" policy for its projects.
Contact Uchenna Izundu at [email protected].
