Page 27 - Baker Hughes REPORT - MARCH 2024

3/15/24, 1:51 PM Baker Hughes and bp: Pioneering the future of eco-friendly flaring - Oil & Gas Middle East
decade. The health impacts on local communities are profound. Flaring releases volatile
organic compounds (VOCs), including benzene, a known carcinogen.

Residents living near oil fields, such as those in Rumaila and Zubair, experience serious
health problems, including cancer, at alarming rates. Despite Iraqi laws stipulating a

minimum distance between residential areas and oil and gas infrastructure, many flare stacks
are found within close proximity to towns, contributing to these health issues.

The lack of public information and environmental data further obscures the extent of the

problem. The economic implications are also significant. Iraq flares enough gas to power 3
million homes, according to the International Energy Agency. The practice not only wastes a
precious resource but also costs the country billions annually due to the necessity of

importing gas for electricity, especially during the hot summer months.

Despite recognising the need to reduce flaring, efforts to build the necessary infrastructure
for gas capture have been hindered by various challenges, including conflict and economic

hardships. Iraq’s reliance on oil and its failure to develop gas capturing infrastructure
contribute significantly to its environmental and climate vulnerabilities. Desertification and
increased frequency of sand and dust storms compound the health impacts on the

population, further illustrating the environmental crisis facing the country.

bp’s implementation of flare.IQ across 65 flares in seven regions signifies a proactive
approach to environmental stewardship, enabling early interventions to minimise flaring

emissions. This initiative reflects bp’s commitment to transforming strategy into action,
achieving milestones in its Aim 4 objective towards reducing emissions and collaborating

across the industry for sustainable solutions.

Baker Hughes and bp’s partnership exemplifies how technology can be a key enabler in
addressing the energy trilemma of security, sustainability, and affordability.

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