Environmental risk of gas flaring in Nigeria: Lessons from Chevron Nigeria and Ilaje crisis

Abstract

Environmental risk concerns that risks that have adverse effects on the environment and people. In another context, gas flaring is mainly used to dispose of associated gases with crude oil to make it more economically useful; and this has been regular practice within the Nigerian oil and gas industry for decades. This research fundamentally addresses environmental risk of gas flaring on the environment and people living within the Niger Delta region of Nigeria using Chevron and Ilaje crisis as case-study. The research reveals the health and safety implications of gas flaring in Nigeria and lessons for different stakeholders. The hydrocarbon compounds such as benzene, naphthalene, styrene, toluene, and xylene found in the flaring of associated gas affect health and safety of the local people in Nigeria. For example, we found that breathing particulate matter which are linked to gas flaring result into aggravated asthma, increase in respiratory symptoms like coughing and difficult breathing, chronic bronchitis, decreased lung function, and premature death; and also found that health issues such as pneumonia and cases of leukaemia are linked to gas flaring. The results also show that carbon dioxide emissions in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria ranked among the highest in the world. Our findings bear vital implication for gas flaring elimination projects in Nigeria and reveal shortcomings in the current oil and gas industry practice in which it is cheaper to flare gas than to eliminate it. In conclusion, the study recommends best fit approach to build trust among stakeholders and reflect upon the research limitations and issues were raise for future research consideration.