Flaring reduction techniques for Oil & Gas

CamIn highlighted the 5 most promising, highest impact technology use cases, recommending these to form the basis of the client's business case.

The client is now piloting the recommended technologies in the field prior to scaling up operations.

CamIn's work derisked the client's $10 million flaring reduction strategy.

What is flaring reduction for oil & gas?

Flaring reduction refers to the strategic minimisation or elimination of routine gas flaring in upstream and midstream oil and gas operations. It involves capturing or converting excess associated gas, traditionally burned off due to processing or transportation constraints, into usable forms such as power, liquids, or reinjected gas. Advanced flaring reduction programmes increasingly combine technology benchmarking, business case development, and emissions compliance strategies.

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Why is flaring reduction important for the oil & gas industry?

Flaring reduction is moving from a technical challenge to a strategic necessity. As environmental scrutiny intensifies and regulators tighten emissions rules, operators must not only eliminate waste but also demonstrate meaningful progress toward net zero goals. Reducing flaring enhances both environmental performance and operational efficiency, positioning firms for long-term success in a low-carbon economy.

• Meets rising regulatory and ESG demands: Global initiatives such as the World Bank’s Zero Routine Flaring by 2030 and emerging national policies are pushing operators to drastically cut flaring volumes.
• Improves investor and public perception: Companies seen taking credible action on flaring are better positioned to meet ESG benchmarks and maintain access to capital.
• Recovers value from wasted gas: Capturing flare gas for use or sale converts an environmental liability into a commercial opportunity, improving asset profitability.
• Enhances operational efficiency: Reducing flaring optimises gas handling systems and increases the overall energy efficiency of production operations.
• Lowers emissions intensity: Flaring reduction limits both CO₂ and methane emissions, decreasing the carbon footprint of production portfolios and supporting net zero targets.

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What impact will flaring reduction have on the oil & gas industry?

Over the next decade, flaring reduction will become a defining factor in how oil and gas projects are designed, financed, and operated. As global pressure mounts to cut emissions and capture wasted resources, flaring reduction will evolve from a compliance exercise to a core pillar of operational strategy. Companies that act early will gain regulatory headroom, unlock stranded value, and enhance long-term asset viability.

• Reshapes project economics: Operators will increasingly design assets around zero flaring principles, integrating capture, conversion, and reinjection from the outset to reduce lifecycle emissions and improve financial returns.
• Enables technology convergence: Tailored solutions will combine flare-to-power, gas-to-liquid, small-scale LNG, and carbon capture technologies, adapted to the specific constraints of each production site.
• Unlocks stranded gas value: By capturing flare gas, firms can monetise previously wasted resources, particularly in remote or infrastructure-limited regions, supporting both profitability and energy access goals.
• Strengthens license to operate: Demonstrating clear reductions in flaring will be key to securing permits, maintaining investor confidence, and meeting evolving environmental disclosure requirements.
• Supports global net zero alignment: As scope 1 and scope 3 emissions face tighter scrutiny, flaring reduction will be essential to lowering the carbon intensity of oil and gas portfolios and enabling credible decarbonisation pathways.

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What technologies are emerging for flaring reduction?

Flaring reduction solutions aim to eliminate routine gas flaring by converting, utilising, or reinjecting waste gas streams, particularly associated gas from upstream operations. These technologies support regulatory compliance, reduce methane and CO₂ emissions, and enable operators to unlock new revenue from previously stranded energy. The most promising innovations fall into three primary technology segments:

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Flare-to-liquid (FTL) technologies

Flare-to-liquid solutions convert associated gas into liquid fuels or chemical feedstocks, enabling monetisation of flare gas where transport infrastructure is limited. This segment is gaining traction due to its modularity and compatibility with distributed assets.

Key subsegments include:

• Microreactors for synthetic fuels: Small-scale gas-to-liquids (GTL) units that convert methane into synthetic diesel, naphtha, or jet fuel. These are increasingly containerised and deployable near wellheads.
• Modular methanol synthesis units: Systems that produce methanol from flare gas using compact catalytic processes. These are particularly suited to remote locations and have growing demand as methanol becomes a key transitional fuel.
• Fischer-Tropsch (FT) reactors: More advanced systems that process syngas into liquid hydrocarbons, adapted for flared gas streams with fluctuating composition. While higher in complexity, FT reactors offer pathways to broader petrochemical integration.

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Flare-to-Power (FTP) solutions

Flare-to-power systems convert flared gas into electricity, supporting onsite energy needs, grid export, or hybrid generation configurations. Core technology subsegments include:

• High-efficiency microturbines and reciprocating gas engines: These provide robust, scalable solutions for converting flare gas to power, with minimal maintenance and flexible turndown ratios.
• Hybrid flare-to-battery systems: Integrating generation with battery storage enables buffering of intermittent or low-pressure flaring events—especially relevant for assets with erratic production profiles.
• Containerised or skid-mounted power units: Pre-fabricated, mobile solutions that enable rapid deployment in off-grid environments. These often come with integrated emissions monitoring and remote diagnostics.

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Gas reinjection and utilisation

Associated gas reinjection allows operators to repurpose gas into the reservoir, either for production optimisation or as a temporary storage solution. This approach can eliminate flaring altogether while supporting pressure maintenance and resource recovery.

Prominent approaches include:

• Enhanced oil recovery (EOR): Reinjected gas is used to maintain reservoir pressure and improve hydrocarbon recovery. This has been a long-standing practice but is increasingly valued for its emissions benefits.
• Gas cycling and interim storage systems: These systems compress and temporarily store gas for later use—whether for energy generation, reinjection, or export. Useful in early-phase developments where infrastructure is staged.

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