Libya among top global gas-flaring nations, World Bank says

Libya has been ranked among the world’s top nine gas-flaring countries, according to a World Bank report tracking the practice globally.

The report, published in June, said gas flaring in Libya rose by 15% in 2025 compared with the previous year, driven by a 17% increase in oil production. However, flaring intensity fell by 1.7%, indicating some improvement in supply stability and gas processing.

The World Bank said Libya remains a major oil producer in Africa, citing its large reserves, strategic location and energy links with Europe. These factors, it added, offer opportunities to make better use of associated gas instead of burning it.

Globally, nine countries — Russia, Iran, Iraq, Venezuela, Mexico, Libya, Algeria, Nigeria and the United States — accounted for 83% of gas flaring in 2025, despite producing 46% of the world’s oil.

The bank noted that action by a relatively small number of governments and companies could significantly reduce flaring. It also said the same group of countries has dominated global flaring levels for the past 15 years.

More than 90 other countries together contributed just 17% of total flaring, while producing over half of global oil output, highlighting differences in how efficiently associated gas is managed.