Siemens Energy and SLB sign Iraq flare gas-to-power deal

20 March 2024

Iraq's Electricity Ministry has signed a preliminary agreement with Germany's Siemens Energy and US firm SLB, formerly Schlumberger, to explore the development of a power generation plant using flare gas.

To be located in Southern Iraq, the planned flare gas-to-power project will help reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and capture value from gas that would otherwise be wasted, according to Siemens Energy Middle East managing director, Dietmar Siersdorfer.

"With Iraq facing a substantial energy deficit of approximately 29%, this collaboration couldn't come at a more crucial time.

"The country's growing population, increasing energy demand and persistent electricity shortfall highlight the urgency for innovative solutions," Siersdorfer said.

MEED understands the planned flare gas-to-power plant could have a generation capacity of up to 2,000MW.

According to a source familiar with the scheme, the plant will potentially require 250 million standard cubic feet of gas a day.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) says about 140 billion cubic metres of natural gas is flared globally each year, with around 70% going to flares that operate on a near continual basis.

This is a major source of CO2 emissions, methane and black soot, and is damaging to health.

The IEA’s Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario envisages that all non-emergency flaring is eliminated globally by 2030, resulting in a 95% reduction in flared volumes and avoiding 365 metric tons of CO2 equivalent. 

Photo: Siemens Energy

Related read: The journey towards net zero

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Jennifer Aguinaldo
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