Improving regulatory approaches for abating upstream gas emissions in a low carbon era: Case study of Algeria, Egypt, and Nigeria

Abstract

The oil and gas industry has played an integral role in driving the world's economy, but gas venting and flaring when developing oil and gas resources contribute to the emission of greenhouse gases such as methane and carbon dioxide. The world is stepping up efforts towards clean energy transitions to meet global climate change goals. However, petroleum resources will continue to be a big part of the energy mix for many years. Consequently, soft and hard instruments are crucial in oil and gas producing countries to curtail and stop the gas flaring enigma. This study uses a doctrinal and comparative legal methodology in analysing the applicable regulatory regimes in Africa's prominent petro-states of Algeria, Egypt, and Nigeria to identify the weaknesses and opportunities for abating flare-related emissions. Drawing on best practices in Canada and the United States of America, the study identifies margins of analysis and regulatory improvement areas. These include adopting sector-specific incremental emission reduction targets, gas monetisation and flaring intensity requirements, and the implementation of leak detection and repair programmes for addressing critical components that contribute to emissions. These can be adapted to be context-specific in addressing Africa's gas flaring dilemma. The study also stretches into a socio-legal dimension by reflecting briefly on the political economy issues of oil dependence, rent-seeking, and corruption as some of the major hurdles to the effective regulation of gas flaring in Africa's petro-states.