ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF GAS FLARING ON THE INHABITANT OF EASTERN OBOLO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF AKWA IBOM STATE
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
The term environment has a lot of connotation. It is indivisible and complex. It has social, economical and physical implications. The environment, is the collective term used to describe all the living and non-living things that makes up our surroundings (Nkwa, 2009). The relationship of human beings to their environment is reciprocal in that, the environment has a profound influence on them and they in turn, make extensive alterations to their environment to meet their needs and desires. One will also agree that environment is that interplay of force in the surrounding which may affect man positively or negatively.
However, in a more physical sense, the environment can be said to comprise of air, water and land. In whatever way we see the environment, it degradation through pollution or any other means is a matter of concern. Pollution occurs essentially when there are inputs of substances and or activities from natural or man-made sources leading to an increase in the level of such substances beyond their ambient level which consequently posses harmful effect on the environmental media viz, air, water and land etc. Where these substances occur and the health of living organism are endangered including man thus environment can be said to consist of three components physical, biological and social environment. In line with the foregoing, Environmental pollution can be defined as the process of reducing the air, water and land quality of our environment through human effort or activities which include domestic, agricultural, commercial and industrial activities (Ugchegbu, 2002).
Environmental pollution knows no bound, it occurs anywhere in geographic space as far as human activities are concerned. Gas flaring is the burning of natural gas that is associated with crude oil when it is pumped up from the ground.
Nigeria flares 17.2 billion m3 of natural gas per year in conjunction with the exploration of crude oil in oil producing communities in southern part of the nation (GGFR) (Global Gas flaring Reduction, 2002).
This action, according to the federal ministry of petroleum Resources emanate from 150 oil fields and 1,481 oil wells in the area (Manby 1999). Nigeria has over 200 gas flaring sites, some have been on continuously for over 20 years. The high level of gas flaring is equal to approximately one quarter of the current power consumption of the operations of International Oil Companies (IOC) which has been on for over some decades (African News Service, 2003). The economic and environmental ramification of this high level of gas flaring are serious because this process is a significant waste of potential fuel which is simultaneously polluting water, air and soil due to accumulation of harmful substances in the southern parts of Nigeria (Osibanjo 1998; Michael, 1991).
Above all, Nigeria has the world’s largest level of gas flaring, and it flares 16 percent of the world’s total associated gas (Global Gas Flaring Reduction, 2002); while about 22 billion standard cubic feet (SCF) of natural gas is flared dialy (Bailey, W; Crabrre, M; Tyrie, J; Elphick, F; Romano, C; and Roodhart, C. 2000) due to lack of utilize infrastructure and approximately 75 percent of associated gas is flared in Nigeria (Bailey, W; Crabree, M; Tyrie J; Elphick, F; Romano, C; and Roodhart, C; 2000; Watts, 2001) compared to 8 percent in Alberta, Canada (Watts, 2001).
The World Bank estimated that about 10 percent of global Co 2 emission comes from gas flaring and Nigeria gas flaring alone release 35 million tons of carbon-dioxide (Co2 ) and 12 million tons of methane (CH4),which has a higher warming potential than Co2 (Manby, 1999; Watts,2001).
The history of natural gas production in Nigeria is dated back to 1950 when Shell D’ Archy and British Petroleum discovered the first oil in Oloibiri, presently, Bayelsa State of Niger Delta Basin. Gas flaring began soon after in 1956. Today as petroleum exploration and exploitation intensity, gas flaring is now associated with ever oil producing community in the Nigeria Delta region (Chijioke, 2002) which Eastern Obolo is not an exception. Within the oil producing communities there have been environmental and social costs of oil exploration various ecological and human disasters, which have continuously occurred over the last decade, implicate gas flaring by oil companies as a major contributor to environmental degradation and pollution of various magnitudes (Aviwri and Ebeniro, 1995; Avwiri and Ebeniro 1996).
Agoawike(1995), in an article title “Our Dying Environment” summarized that in oil producing areas from Warri in Delta state to Ogoni in River State and Oguta in Imo state, the story is the same, farmlands are rendered useless, rivers depleted of aquatic life, and the air polluted by gas emissions. Ahialwo (1990), opined that the oil industry in Nigeria is the foundation of under development in ogba-land where cases of atmospheric thermal and surface pollution abound. Expert reports of oil exploration in such communities reveals that gas flaring has caused most of the buildings in that community, especially those structures with corrugated iron sheet roofs, to experience massive damage resulting in frequent changes and leakages. Apart from the burning and “die-back” effect of gas flaring, which were visible in plantain and cocoyam leaves, the dry humid morning harbor photo chemical smog in the lower atmosphere and this causes irritation of the eye and the body (Environmental Right Action, 1981).
Current statistics indicates that Nigeria accounts for about 28% of the total amount of gas flared globally (Abiodun, 2004). In the past decades, efforts have been made in Nigeria to cut back on gas flaring and eventually the practice altogether. Gas flaring possess a serious threat to the environment hence the very urgent need for flaring to stop. Opportunities for reducing and eventually-eliminating gas flaring in Nigeria depend first and foremost on the level of technology and market factors available (ERA/FOE Nigeria, 2005).
Therefore adequate technologies should be put in place to stop flaring practices by utilizing this to electricity production using gas turbines and re-injecting venting gas into the oil field for enhanced oil recovery.
Gas is being increasingly seen as a viable source of energy to speed up development needs in Africa. In fact, the natural, gas currently flared in Nigeria can serve the needs of 320 million people not served by modern fuels (Goldenbergy, 2000). Attention should be paid to the reduction of gas flaring and such gas should be channeled for small-scale utilization such that it benefits the host community.
This study also has the objectives to determine the existence of gas flaring, the environmental impact of gas flaring on the inhabitants as well as ascertaining possible measure to be adopted to control gas flaring.
Hence, such awareness had made the researcher to seriously ponder over the level of hazardous substances that has been discharged into the environment. And this has also encouraged the researcher to conduct this study in order to provide a baseline information and to stimulate further relation studies on the environmental impact of gas flaring on the inhabitants of Eastern Obolo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Eastern Obolo people enjoyed an environment rich in biodiversity and wild life before now (Firmsco Surverys, 2002). The dense rain forest and the transitory nature of the mangrove and saline water environment made the area a breeding ground for various species of fish and other marine lives, animals and plants. When the ancestors of Eastern Obolo, led by Ede, migrated into the area from Western Obolo over 300 years ago, they met and enjoyed a functional environment of unpolluted air, unpolluted water and unpolluted land (Enemugwem, 2000). Water and land provided the artery for their economic development and transportation while the air they breathe was full of life for a healthy living. The water-laced environment bisected by a labyrinth of creeks and rivers f the mangrove made fishing, trading, crop planting and salt making from saline water as the economic of the people.
As soon as petroleum was discovered, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) established their oil fields. Later Exxon Mobil, Elf and now Aminafren joined in the exploration and exploitation of the area which flares gas in the process so that their activities polluted the environment. With effect from the commencement of gas flaring, the surrounding temperature have risen above the pre-gas flaring period daily. Acid rain has also been recorded and, the lifespan of the households roofing corrugated iron sheets have dwindled from 10 years to 3-4 years. The effective and cautious management of the environment is crucial to the sustainance of adequate livelihoods Farrington, J; D. Caney; C. Ashley; and T. Ashley and T. Cathryn, 1999; and Okoro Odeboye (2009), explains that the elements of the environment include but not limited to land, water and air, thus, the environment is a natural asset and the key to human livelihood because all economic activities are conducted within the compass of the environment. Considering the present situation, the area is systematically degrading, farming and fish activities are dwindling, poverty level is increasing leading to increase in crimes including kidnapping, crude oil thievery, prostitution drug abuse and alcohol abuse.
Having noticed this recent change, the researcher wonder if this could in anyway be related to gas flaring the area. Hence, the researcher’s interest was developed to conduct this study to provide an over-view on the environmental impact of gas flaring on the inhabitant of Eastern Obolo Local Government Area.
1.3 Statement of Purpose/Aim of the Study
The aim of this study is to bring to lime light the environmental impact of gas flaring and profounding possible ways to curb the menace.
1.4 Scope of the Study
The research is undertaken to investigate the environmental impact of gas flaring in Eastern Obolo Local Government Area. Data collected will be generalized to show the relationship between gas flaring and its environmental impact as it affect the population of study.
1.5 Significance of the Study
The significance of this study is to create awareness on the environmental impact of gas flaring in Eastern Obolo and to draw the attention of Elf, and Aminafren Oil Company (bring to the notice) the environmental impact of Gas flared in the process of their exploration and exploitation on the inhabitants of Eastern Obolo. Implementation of research finding on control strategies that will improve the Eastern Obolo people’s environment. This study, will also provide a base line data and useful information’s and serve as a reference materials for environmental health workers as well as further research studies on the subject matter.
1.6 Justification of the Study
One of the environmental problems associated with oil exploration and exploitation is linked to gas flaring. When crude oil is brought to the surface from several kilometres below, the gas associated with such oil extraction usually comes to the surface as well.
If the oil is produced in those areas of the world that lack gas infrastructure or a nearby gas market, a significant portion of the associated gas may be released into the atmosphere either un-ignited (vented) or ignited (flared). Flaring or burning of gas is widely used to dispose of natural gas liberated during oil production and processing where is there is often no infrastructure to make use of the gas.
Gas flaring contributes to climate change, which has serious implications. The burning of fossil fuel, mainly coal, oil and gas has led to the warming up of the environment through the emission of carbondioxide C02 as the main greenhouse gas. Atmospheric contaminants from gas flaring include oxides and Nitrogen, carbon and sulphur, particulate matter, hydrocarbons and ash, photochemical oxidants and hydrogen sulphides (H2s). The flares also contributes to acid rain, which apart from corroding corrugated aluminum roofs acidify the soil thereby causing soil infertility loss and damaging crops. Also this gases when inhaled or over-exposed to could cause different types of diseases to man.
Although, several studies have been carried out on Gas flaring, there is inadequate information on its environmental impact on the inhabitants of the host communities. From foregoing, it becomes pertinent to conduct a study that will provide a clear information and awareness on the different gases flared by this oil companies during their exploration and exploitation process, its environmental impact on the inhabitant as well as profounding possible measures which will be effectively employed by this oil companies and government to put an end to gas flaring in the study area.
Hence, it is hoped that this study will expand the frontier knowledge in respect to environmental impact of gas flaring on the inhabitants and also serve as a launching pad for other research in environmental health or related field. Thus, the study is justified in Eastern Obolo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
1.7 Broad Objective
The objective of the study is to investigate impact of gas flaring on health in Eastern Obolo Local Government and to determine the possible preventive/remedial measures on gas flaring.
1.8 Objective of the Study
The objective of this study specifically sought to;
- determine the existence of gas flaring in Eastern Obolo Local Government Area.
- determine the environmental impact of gas flaring on the inhabitant of Eastern Obolo Local Government Area.
- ascertain the possible measures to be adopted to control gas flaring in the Eastern Obolo Local Government Area.
1.9 Research Questions
The following Research questions are hereby formulated to which data will be applied to determine their tenability.
- Is there any oil company operating in the area?
- What are the environmental impact of gas flaring on the inhabitant of Eastern Obolo Local Government Area?
- What are the possible measures to be adopted in order to curb the menace of gas flaring in Eastern Obolo Local Government Area?
1.10 Statement of hypothesis.
Hypothesis 1
H01: There is no significant relationship between existence of gas flaring and the environment.
Ha1: There is significant relationship between existence gas flaring and the environment.
Hypothesis 2
H02: There is no significant relationship between gas flaring and environmental impact on the inhabitant of Eastern Obolo Local Government Area.
Ha2: There is significant relationship between gas flaring and environmental impact on the inhabitant of Eastern Obolo Local Government Area.
Hypothesis 3
Ho3: There is no significant relationship between control measures and impact of gas flaring on the inhabitant of Eastern Obolo Local Government Area.
Ha3: There is significant relationship between con troll measures and impact of gas flaring on the inhabitant of Eastern Obolo Local Government Area.
1.11 Operational Definition of Terms.
Some unfamiliar terms to be used during the study are defined as follows:
Environment: This is a collective term used to describe all the living and non-living things that makes up our surroundings.
Inhabitant: A person or animal that inhabit, lives or occupies a particular place.
Gas Flaring: The burning of natural gas that is associated with crude oil when it is pumped up from the ground. Or it is an integral part of the exploration, production and processing of natural gas, liquids and oil from shell.
Acid rain: This is a term used when un-utilized gases from oil companies and other various burning process which are chemical component of nitrogen oxide, carbon dioxides etc., are discharged or flared into the atmosphere producing nitric and sulphuric and which fall into the earth with rain or snow readily dissolved in it.
Pollution: this is defined as the unacceptable state of the air, water and land environment resulting from man’s direct or indirect activities and due to the generation, release or eventually addition of contaminants until a concentration is reached which is toxic, harmful to life of man, plants and animal in the affected environment.
Pollutant: Is any substance introduced into the environment that adversely affect the usefulness of resources.
Crude Oil: According to EJA, (2003) is a mixture of aliphatic saturated hydrocarbon with some unsaturated and some aromatic hydrocarbon.
Air Pollution: The presence in the outdoor environment atmosphere of one or more air pollution or contaminants such a quantity and duration as are or tend to be injurious to health and welfare of animal or plant life or world unreasonable interfere with the enjoyment of life and property.
