Crude Hydrocarbons Code

The Crude Hydrocarbons Code prohibits the flaring of natural gas, except in the following situations: (1) for safety reasons; (2) during the start-up phase of production; or (3) with the authorization of the Minister responsible for hydrocarbons, for a limited period (Article 40).

The Crude Hydrocarbons Code also stipulates that in the event of a discovery of associated gas, the Minister may authorize the operator to develop it. If the contractor does not wish to market the associated gas, it must be made available to the State free of charge or reinjected into the reservoir (Article 39).

Any reservoir development plan must be subject to an environmental impact assessment (Article 36). Furthermore, petroleum operators must conduct their operations in accordance with applicable national and international environmental protection standards (Article 31). They must also submit a site rehabilitation plan before the reservoir is exhausted and pay a deposit during the operation (Article 43).

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