Flare gas to power: a practical step toward net zero for oil & gas operators
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Flare gas to power: a practical step toward net zero for oil & gas operators

Introduction

Across Europe, oil and gas operators face growing regulatory and environmental pressure to reduce emissions and flaring. Each year, over 140 billion cubic metres of gas are wasted globally through flaring—a volume equivalent to three-quarters of the EU's total gas imports before the energy crisis. But what if that wasted gas could become a source of clean, local power?

Aggreko's flare-to-power solutions help operators turn an environmental liability into a financial asset, by capturing and converting Associated Petroleum Gas (APG) into electricity. It's a practical, scalable step toward Net Zero that requires no permanent infrastructure and delivers immediate impact.

Why flare gas matters

Flaring not only contributes significantly to global CO2 and methane emissions, but also represents a missed opportunity to use a resource already available at the wellhead. In Europe, tightening environmental regulations and community pressure are making traditional flaring practices increasingly untenable.

Key facts:

Burning flare gas emits as much CO2 as 200 million cars per year
Flare gas waste is valued at up to $20 billion annually
In some countries, flaring fines are rising steeply or being phased out entirely

Aggreko's solution: from flare to power in weeks

Our turnkey flare-to-power solutions are designed for fast deployment and immediate results. Here's how it works:

Gas treatment skid removes impurities and adjusts moisture content
Compression and power generation convert APG into reliable electricity
Integration with the grid or site allows for resale or internal use

We handle everything—from design and permitting to commissioning and operations.

Case Study: monetising gas, avoiding fines

In partnership with an independent European oil company, Aggreko deployed five gas generators, a gas treatment skid and 8 km of high-voltage cabling to connect a new well to the national grid.

The results:

350,000 MWh exported over 8 years
7 MW of clean capacity added
Zero flaring fines incurred
24/7 on-site support throughout project lifecycle

Flexibility for every site

Not every site can access the grid. That’s why Aggreko also offers:

Virtual pipelines using gas-to-wire or gas-to-liquid technology
Hybrid systems combining flare gas with diesel or battery storage
Micronets for remote sites or temporary facilities

images from Innovation playbook customer facing digital guide

Environmental and financial impact

Flare-to-power makes both environmental and economic sense:

Significant CO2, NOx and SO2 reductions compared to diesel
Effective reuse of waste gas with zero fuel cost
Avoidance of penalties and improved ESG performance

Conclusion

Flaring is no longer just a technical issue—it's a reputational, regulatory and financial challenge. With Aggreko's flare gas to power solutions, European operators can reduce emissions, power their sites, and move closer to their Net Zero goals.