Capterio Launches Third Annual Release of FlareIntel Free, a Revolutionary Flare Tracker

12 May 2023

London, May 12th, 2023 – Capterio, a company that believes transparency brings opportunity, has launched its third annual release of FlareIntel Free, its public flare tracker. See below for more and click here to register and get access.

Using satellite technology originally developed by NASA and NOAA, FlareIntel Free maps and tracks every flare from space.  While the annualised flaring volume data within FlareIntel Free comes, in part, in a semi-processed format from the World Bank, it also integrates data on field locations, field operators and owners, licence boundaries, pipelines, power stations – with a compelling and intuitive user interface.

FlareIntel Free has three main aims.  Firstly, it aims to improve the visibility around flaring, allowing users better intelligence on flaring challenges and opportunities today.  Secondly, it seeks to increase accountability for flaring reduction by making field names and operatorship available.  And thirdly, it aims to facilitate action and investment by helping operators, service companies, and governments identify and prioritise opportunities to reduce their flaring.

The scale of the global opportunity (some 140+ BCM per year, representing a value of $70 billion per year and close to 1 billion CO2-equivalent tonnes of emissions[1] – or 2% of global emissions) is significant.  So too, is the imperative to make rapid progress in support of delivering net-zero commitments, the World Bank’s “Zero Routine Flaring[2]” initiative, and improving the industry’s reputation and licence to operate.

“FlareIntel Free continues to be a game-changing tool for the industry, and transparency brings opportunity,” said Dr Mark Davis, CEO of Capterio. “FlareIntel also brings accountability around gas flaring and helps reduce emissions while creating value.”

For those interested in tracking every flare more precisely, Capterio also offers more advanced capabilities.  FlareIntel Pro tracks every flare at every asset, for every company, in every country, every day.  In addition to upgrading from annual to daily data, this version also has a much richer set of base maps, additional metadata, and world-class analytics powered by AI.  Dr Davis said, “And with FlareIntel Pro, we’re helping companies and governments take action and invest in real solutions that make a difference while accelerating the energy transition.”

Capterio, together with players such as the IEA[3], has demonstrated that most flaring can be solved with today’s technology while delivering commercial returns.  The most common solutions are gas-to-pipeline and gas-to-power projects.  However, more exotic solutions, such as cryptocurrency mining and the synthesis of alternative proteins, are also possible.

“We’re excited to see the impact FlareIntel is having on the industry,” said John-Henry Charles, a chief architect of the product.  “Our new release is also very timely, as this week the EU voted in favour of stricter regulation around flaring associated with imported gas.” FlareIntel Free significantly contributes to helping buyers understand the end-to-end carbon intensity of purchased oil and gas.

As the world focuses on moving from ambition to action at COP28, we need to see a step-change in flaring reduction.  FlareIntel helps make this ambition a reality.

FlareIntel Free is easy to use, and sign-up is quick at https://flareintel.com/#register.

About Capterio

Capterio is an independent British company focussed on delivering flare solutions.  We provide real-time flaring analytics, work with pioneers on a consulting/advisory offer around flare reduction programmes and act as a project developer to deliver real-world operational solutions that monetise gas.

Contact: contact@capterio.com | www.flareintel.com

Data references:  

  • CO2-equivalent figures (CO2e) per flare are based on the CO2 emissions released from the combustion of natural gas coupled with a conservative estimate of the “methane slip” from the release of un-combusted methane (although this figure will vary significantly between flares). Capterio uses the IPCC’s Global Warming Potential of methane on a 20-year basis, which is that methane is 84x more potent as a greenhouse gas than CO2, on a mass basis. 
  • Based on US EPA data, emissions from flaring are equivalent to those from 200 million cars, assuming emissions from a single car of 4.6 tonnes CO2 per year.  
  • Revenue comparisons assume a price of $12.5 per mmbtu. The market price for gas varies widely by country. 
  • The underlying satellite data is based on the VIIRs instrumentation on NASA and NOAA satellites, and is supplied by the Colorado School of Mines Earth Observation Group. 
  • More insights are available on www.flareintel.com/insights

[1] https://flareintel.com/insights/gas-flaring-shows-modest-improvement-but-not-in-the-countries-that-matter-most

[2] https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/zero-routine-flaring-by-2030

[3] https://www.iea.org/news/new-iea-report-highlights-the-need-and-means-for-the-oil-and-gas-industry-to-drastically-cut-emissions-from-its-operations