Gas flaring and its impact on electricity generation in Nigeria

Abstract It‘s quite a challenging period at this crucial stage in Nigeria where there is enormous gap in power supply and demand. This paper examines power generation in Nigeria with a view to X-ray some of the challenges of irregular power supply and its associated implications. Critical assessments and methodological evaluations of the research are based on recent literature and publications from Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) and Nigeria Gas Company (NGC). The major cause of irregular power supply in Nigeria is believed to be inconsistencies in government policies and shortfall in gas supply to power plants. Nigeria solely depends on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to fire its power plants and gas flaring has continuously hindered its smooth operation. The key objective of the study is to create public awareness on how best to tackle epileptic power supply in Nigeria and also create a mind-set that petroleum industry bill (PIB) is not about increment in petroleum products price as currently perceive by majority of Nigerians but all about sustainable development in the oil and gas industries. The authors believe that with the passage of petroleum industry bill and complete deregulation of power sector, Nigeria is set to join the league of sustained power generation and distribution. Petroleum industry bill (PIB) empowers the gas company to sell gas at competitive price which guarantee return on their investment. The current scenario where gas is delivered to Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) at virtually free price is not sustainable and further encourages gas flaring at the detriment of infrastructural development.

[1]  M. O. Edino,et al.  Perceptions and attitudes towards gas flaring in the Niger Delta, Nigeria , 2010 .

[2]  M. O. Oseni.  An analysis of the power sector performance in Nigeria , 2011 .

[3]  Olufemi O. Ogunlowo,et al.  Developing compressed natural gas as an automotive fuel in Nigeria: lessons from international markets , 2015 .

[4]  David E. Fritz,et al.  OIL SPILL CHEMICALS IN FRESHWATER ENVIRONMENTS: TECHNICAL ISSUES , 1995 .

[5]  Chikezie Nwaoha,et al.  A review of the utilization and monetization of Nigeria's natural gas resources: Current realities , 2014 .

[6]  Aminu Hassan,et al.  Gas flaring in Nigeria: Analysis of changes in its consequent carbon emission and reporting , 2013 .

[7]  Mohammad Reza Rahimpour,et al.  The major sources of gas flaring and air contamination in the natural gas processing plants: A case study , 2013 .

[8]  Boqiang Lin,et al.  Impact of industrialisation on CO2 emissions in Nigeria , 2015 .

[9]  S. Managi,et al.  Nigeria’s power sector: Analysis of productivity , 2014 .

[10]  Engobo Emeseh,et al.  Analysis of safety and environmental regulations for downstream petroleum industry operations in Nigeria: Problems and prospects , 2014 .

[11]  A. Antón,et al.  LCA of poplar bioenergy system compared with Brassica carinata energy crop and natural gas in regional scenario , 2009 .

[12]  F. Ibitoye,et al.  Future demand for electricity in Nigeria , 2007 .

[13]  Leonard S. Bombom,et al.  The effects of gas flaring on crops in the Niger Delta, Nigeria , 2008 .

[14]  Chikezie Nwaoha,et al.  A Review on Natural Gas Utilization and Cutting Carbon Emissions: How viable is Compressed Natural Gas for Road Vehicle Fuel? , 2013 .

[15]  Jesse Salah Ovadia.  Local content and natural resource governance: The cases of Angola and Nigeria , 2014 .

[16]  Muyiwa S. Adaramola,et al.  Performance evaluation of wind turbines for energy generation in Niger Delta, Nigeria , 2014 .

[17]  N. Emodi,et al.  Sustainable energy development in Nigeria: Current status and policy options , 2015 .

[18]  Raymond J. Kopp,et al.  Energy Resources and Global Development , 2003, Science.

[19]  F. Umbach.  Global energy security and the implications for the EU , 2010 .

[20]  Cinzia Mortarino,et al.  Nonlinear production path and an alternative reserves estimate for South Asian natural gas , 2015 .

[21]  Michael J. Economides,et al.  The state of natural gas , 2009 .

[22]  Susan L. Cutter,et al.  PLUME AND DOOM , 1989 .

[23]  Richard O. Fagbenle,et al.  Performance evaluation and economic analysis of a gas turbine power plant in Nigeria , 2014 .

[24]  Charles Asekhame Odumugbo.  Natural gas utilisation in Nigeria: Challenges and opportunities , 2010 .

[25]  Brian F. Towler.  Chapter 6 – Natural Gas , 2014 .

[26]  Ha-Joon Chang.  Kicking away the ladder : development strategy in historical perspective , 2002 .

[27]  O. Anomohanran,et al.  Determination of greenhouse gas emission resulting from gas flaring activities in Nigeria , 2012 .

[28]  Obas John Ebohon,et al.  Nigeria's electric power sector reform: what should form the key objectives? , 2005 .

[29]  James K. Mitchell,et al.  A Contextual Model of Natural Hazard , 1989 .

[30]  Romeo M. Flores.  Worldwide Coalbed Gas Development , 2014 .

[31]  P. Bourcier,et al.  THE ECONOMICS OF NATURAL GAS DEVELOPMENT , 1985 .

[32]  Alireza Bahadori,et al.  A review of Australia's natural gas resources and their exploitation , 2013 .