What we studied
We looked at 14 years (2012–2025) of satellite-based gas-flaring estimates from the World Bank. There are 476 locations in the Nigerian inventory. We examined 372 confirmed onshore locations in the Niger Delta more closely.
NIGER DELTA, NIGERIA · 2012–2025
Where should we look first to reduce gas flaring?
Gas flaring happens when natural gas is burned in a flame at oil and gas facilities. We studied satellite-based estimates to see where flaring has been reported, where it has been greatest, and which places deserve a closer look.
This map helps guide investigations. It does not prove pollution, illness or environmental damage.
START HERE
What did we do, and why?
You do not need a background in mapping or environmental science to use this atlas. Here is the idea in three short steps.
Why it matters
Burning gas wastes a resource and can raise environmental concerns. But not every location has the same history. We wanted to understand where flaring appears more substantial or persistent.
What we hope to achieve
Help researchers and decision-makers decide where to investigate reducing flaring and where further checks near communities or mangroves might be useful.
Important: The circles show recorded locations, not measured pollution. Nearby people or mangroves do not automatically mean they have been harmed. These are places to investigate, not confirmed problems.
WHAT WE FOUND
A few numbers to get you started
The 476 recorded locations form the full inventory. Our closer study focuses on 372 confirmed onshore locations. The different follow-up groups answer separate questions and can overlap.
THE INTERACTIVE MAP
Find a place. See why it matters.
Choose what you want to explore, then click a coloured dot to learn about that location. Dots may be grouped together when you zoom out; zoom in to separate them. Locations are shown at their original recorded coordinates.
The outlined region shows the nine Niger Delta states. One separately classified Nigerian site lies farther north; use the link at left to find it.
HOW FLARING CHANGED
What did the satellite estimates show over 14 years?
These charts show estimated amounts of gas burned from 2012 to 2025 for the 372 confirmed onshore locations. More on a chart means a larger estimated amount, not proof of greater harm.
Estimated gas burned each year
372 confirmed onshore locations • million cubic metres (m³)
Which states have the largest estimated totals?
2012–2025 total • million m³ • confirmed onshore locations only
What these numbers do NOT mean
- Catalogue presence is distinct from positive estimated flaring.
- Reported-zero observations remain zeros; they do not prove flare elimination.
- Cross River has zero eligible sites in this inventory, not a demonstrated absence of flaring.
- Individual annual series are not in the locked web evidence package; use the site-level historical metrics in the explorer.
WHERE TO LOOK FIRST
Which places might need more attention?
These are suggestions for investigation based on the available estimates. They are not proof that people or the environment have been harmed.
First group: reducing flaring
These locations have some of the largest recent gas-flaring estimates and a history of positive estimates in at least 10 years. They are the first places to investigate possible reductions.
Second group: reducing flaring
These also have substantial recent estimates and at least 10 years of positive estimates. Together with the first group, they make 75 places for follow-up.
Recent activity to watch
These have large recent estimates but a shorter history of positive estimates. They are listed separately and are not added to the 75 places above.
NEAR COMMUNITIES
24 places to consider checking
These locations have notable flaring estimates and relatively more people living within 5 km, according to a 2020 population model.
This does not tell us whether anyone was exposed to pollution or became ill.
NEAR MANGROVES
7 places to consider checking
These locations have notable flaring estimates and relatively more mapped mangrove trees within 2 km, based on 2021 satellite land-cover data.
This does not prove damage to mangroves. This smaller list changes substantially if stricter selection rules are used.
HOW WE DID IT
How did we choose these places?
Which locations did we include?
World Bank GGFR individual flare-location estimates are joined to validated Nigeria ADM1 geometry. The 372 confirmed nine-state onshore sites form the analytical population. The 70 offshore, 33 ambiguous/conflicting and one other Nigerian onshore records are retained separately.
How did we check for nearby people and mangroves?
GHSL P2023A 2020 population_count was summed at native raster grid scale within individual 5 km geodesic buffers. Seven -200 NoData-affected pilot results were corrected before integration. ESA WorldCover v200 class 95 mapped mangrove area is pixel-area weighted in individual 2 km buffers for 2021.
What can this map NOT tell us?
It does not measure emissions, pollutant exposure, health effects, mangrove damage, regulatory responsibility or gas-utilization feasibility. It does not aggregate overlapping population or mangrove buffers.
Where did the information come from?
World Bank Global Gas Flaring Tracker (June 2026); geoBoundaries gbOpen Nigeria ADM1 / GRID3 (2022, CC BY 4.0); JRC GHSL P2023A; ESA WorldCover v200. See the final scientific report for full provenance.
REPORTS AND MAPS
Want to look at the original results?
Final scientific reportPDF • methods, results & limitationsFull inventoryCSV • 476 classified recordsPlaces selected for further investigationCSV • 372 studied locations and their screening categoriesAnnual state estimatesCSV • 2012–2025Map 01: InventoryEligibility and full spatial inventoryMap 02: HistoryDistribution and state trendsMap 03: AbatementLocked priority evidenceMap 04: CommunityGHSL contextual screeningMap 05: MangrovesWorldCover contextual screening