Baku, Fineko/abc.az. Finland’s Wartsila has joined the World Bank-led Global Gas Flaring Reduction partnership (GGFR) as the first associated partner.

Up until recently only oil-producing countries and companies were eligible to join the GGFR partnership. But a new GGFR charter now allows other relevant companies such as Wartsila, a technology provider, to join the partnership as an associated partner.

“We welcome W?rtsil? as the first GGFR associated partner and look forward to working with them to increase access to much needed electricity in developing countries around the world. Gas flaring harms the environment and wastes a valuable and cleaner resource that can be used for more productive purposes,” said Somit Varma, the World Bank Group’s Director for Oil, Gas, Mining and Chemicals.

The GGFR partnership estimates that globally some 150 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas are flared or wasted every year, adding about 400 million tons of greenhouse gases in annual emissions. The major flaring countries are Russia, Nigeria, Iran and Iraq.

“We are proud to become an associated partner of the GGFR. If associated gas can be used in power generation instead of being flared into the atmosphere, an oil-field’s emissions can be significantly reduced. At the same time, there are obvious economical benefits to be gained. As an associated partner of the GGFR, we will be able to contribute to reducing flaring through our know-how in power generation,” said Vesa Riihim?ki, Group Vice President, Wartsila Power Plants.

Recently he paid a visit to Baku within the wide mission that presented Wartsila’s latest technologies.

The Company offers use of associated gas for compressors and pump stations and for generation of electricity at gas diesel stations.

16.06.2010 10:16