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Natural Gas Flaring & Venting

What portion of natural gas extracted from the ground in the U.S. is discarded by burning or releasing it into the air?

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In 2017, 0.8% of natural gas extracted from the ground in the U.S. was discarded by burning or releasing it into the air. These processes are called "flaring" and "venting." They are typically done because natural gas and crude oil are often found in the same geological formations, and drilling for oil releases the gas. If there is no economical way to transport it to locations where it can be used, the gas is flared or vented. In 1949, 11.3% of natural gas extracted from the ground in the U.S. was disposed of in these manners. Due primarily to the construction of natural gas pipelines, this figure declined to 1.2% by 1971. Since then, it has averaged 0.7%. Worldwide in 2014, roughly 4.1% of natural gas production was flared (global data on venting is unavailable).

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