Gas flaring to fall dramatically in World Bank partnership

ROUTINE gas-flaring in countries affiliated to the World Bank's flaring-reduction programme will be slashed by 40-60% by 2008, according to a study by the organisation. Bent Svensson, a programme manager at the World Bank, says the data are still being compiled, but that the institution's partnership countries, which account for nearly half the gas the world produces, "will significantly reduce gas flaring" between now and 2008. The World Bank's Global Gas Flaring Reduction Partnership (GGFR) was set up in 2002 and now comprises 11 countries, as well as BP, Chevron, Eni, ExxonMobil, Marathon, Hydro, Statoil, Shell, Total and Sonatrach. The 11 countries contribute 45% of the gas flared global