Economic Evaluation for Optimal Allocation of Flared Associated Natural Gas Production in Iranian Oil Fields

Abstract

Iran is flaring about 30 million cubic meters of associated gas per day in onshore oil fields. Suboptimality of economic extraction and production of exhaustible natural resources pawn the national benefits. Therefore, the main purpose of this paper is analyising the economic and technical feasibility aspects of reusing flared associated gas based on Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM). In this study time series data of average associated flared gas from 44 Iranian onshore oil fields has been employed. Additionally, three investment scenarios mean gas injection to the oil fields, electricity production and final consumption have been considered. Results of this study show that such oil fields produce less than 3 million cubic meters associated gas per day, gas injection to oil fields is the optimum alternative whereas using of associated gas to electricity generation is advised for other scenario.