The impact of gas flaring and venting in Nigeria and management options: a case study of oil producing areas

Ayejuyo O. Olusegun, Biobaku C. Babajide, Osundiya M. Olubunmi, Achadu O. John

Chemistry Department, University of Lagos, Akoka -Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria

Chemistry Department, Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos, Nigeria

Chemistry Department, Kwararafa University, Wukari, Taraba, Nigeria

Key words: Gas flaring, venting, microbiological, physico-chemical analysis, Niger-delta.

Picture dated on April 14, 2009 shows gas flaring at the Total oil platform at Amenem, 35 kilometers away from Port Harcourt in the Niger Delta. Amenem is the hub of Total oil production with two oil well producing over 100,000 barrels of crude daily. AFP PHOTO / PIUS UTOMI EKPEI (Photo credit should read PIUS UTOMI EKPEI/AFP/Getty Images)

Abstract

This study assesses gas flaring and venting impacts in some oil producing areas in the Niger-Delta of Nigeria. The research instrument adopted for this study was the questionnaire survey and laboratory analysis, both microbiological and physico-chemical. The analysis of the data was done using simple descriptive analysis of frequency distribution of the relevant statistical information, supplemented by Chi-Square (X2) statistical method. Soil samples obtained from selected flare sites were analyzed and they indicated a negative impact on the microbial content of the soil. Rain water samples collected from different locations at different times and analyzed revealed a significant level of acidity (4.5-6.9) which causes damage to property and affect crops yield. Nitrates produced by the gas flare which varied from 0.12 to 0.47 mg/L result in the production of dilute nitric acid which is also corrosive. A survey carried out in this study revealed that the majority of Nigerians believe that gas flaring and venting has negatively impacted human health and the environment mainly in the oil producing areas.

Get the original articles in Source: Volume 4, Number 2, February 2014 – JBES

Published By: Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences (JBES)

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