Quantitative Assessment of Flared Gas Potential for Off-grid Rural Electrification
Keywords:
Energy conversion efficiency, Flare gas utilization, Gas flaring, Off-grid electricity generation, Sustainable power systemsAbstract
Gas flaring remains a significant source of energy loss and environmental pollution in oil-producing regions, despite growing electricity demand in off-grid and remote areas. This study quantitatively evaluates the feasibility of using flared gas for off-grid power generation based on a baseline flare volume of 1,875,685.01 MMSCF/day. The analysis includes flare gas volume estimation, energy content evaluation, power generation potential, and off-grid system integration. Analytical models are applied to estimate recoverable thermal energy, net electrical output, and conversion efficiency for selected technologies. Results show that gas turbines, gas engines, and fuel cells operating at efficiencies of 33%, 42%, and 55% capable of generating (10.68 MWh/day), (13.60 MWh/day), and (17.81 MWh/day) of electricity, respectively. Assuming an average household demand of 4 kW, this output could supply approximately 2,670, 3,400, and 4,452 households, respectively. The findings indicate that large-scale flared gas utilization, particularly through fuel cell technology, can provide reliable off-grid electricity while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on diesel generators. The study provides a technical basis for implementing flare gas-to-power systems in remote oilfields and rural electrification projects.
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