As the planet tries to rein in gas emissions into the atmosphere and European consumers are experiencing a significant increase in their electricity bills, alarming images are coming from Russia. pertaining to daily burning million cubic meters of liquefied natural gas At the Portovaya plant in the Leningrad region, very close to Finland.
This is serious ecological damage, as it injects large quantities. methane, an element with high global warming potential, in addition to thousands of tons of CO2. In addition, this takes place near the North Pole, which is experiencing warming four times faster than the rest of the planet.
Most likely, according to an analysis by Norway-based energy consultancy Rystad Energy, Thus, Gazprom disposes of surplus product originally intended for Germany. Nord Stream 1.
They are branding these actions from Berlin as a political measure of the Kremlin, although Gazprom insists that this is only a few. “technical problems”.
In reality, the exact causes of this massive gas burn are unknown, but the truth is that it is produced in truly alarming quantities.
Rystad analysts called it an “environmental disaster” and calculated that:the amount of gas burned in the atmosphere was equivalent to about 0.5% of the European Union’s daily needs (EU).
Satellite images of Portovaya, where the compression station of the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline, which crosses the Baltic Sea and reaches Germany, are located, show a spectacular glow.
Russia has reduced the flow of Nord Stream 1 to just 20% of its capacity and plans to shut it down completely for three days next week due to turbine maintenance issues. The EU accuses the Kremlin of using the gas as a weapon to fight Western sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine.
Flaring is a common practice in oil and gas production, but current level is extremely high According to Reuters, it is sensitive at the moment due to Russia’s supply cuts.
Russian energy giant Gazprom did not respond to the news agency’s request for comment.
4.3 million cubic meters per day
Rystad analysts explained: “Exact levels of ignition volumes are difficult to measure, but It is believed to be around 4.34 million cubic meters per day. This is equivalent to 1.6 billion cubic meters (bcm). on an annual basis and equivalent to around 0.5% of the EU’s gas needs.
The gas explosion was first recorded earlier this month in Finland, which borders Russia.
According to the above-mentioned energy consultancy, Russia it could be burning 10 million euros a day in fuel today.
“So this is a big environmental issue, especially for the Arctic region, where this institution definitely has a global warming impact,” he said.
President Vladimir Putin said Russia, the world’s fourth largest emitter of greenhouse gases, will strive to be carbon neutral by 2060, while the EU and other countries urged Moscow to push the target forward.
Gazprom reduced its natural gas production by more than 13% from the beginning of the year to mid-August, to 275 billion cubic meters. Gas exports outside of the former Soviet Union fell more than 36% to 78.5 bcm, just as the West faced the invasion of Ukraine.
Although most national experts argue that Gazprom can turn off the taps to regulate production, the company still needs to burn off the excess gas.
“Burning gas is an environmental disaster because around 9,000 tons of CO2 is released every day”said Rystad.
“The flame from burning is very visible, perhaps showing that if friendly political relations continue, the gas is ready and waiting to flow into Europe.”
…..
Environment department contact address:crisclimatica@prensaiberica.es
Source: Informacion
