Flare no more: Sergei Ivanov has said Russia will ban the flaring of associated gas
Russia moves to ban gas flaring
Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov said his country will cease flaring associated gas during oil production in order to conserve resources, according to local media reports.
"We will not allow anyone to flare associate gas, at least in Russia," Interfax quoted Ivanov telling at a meeting in the Khanty-Mansiysk autonomous region.
"The decision has already been made," he added.
"We aren't rich enough yet to allow ourselves such a luxury, not to mention the environment," Ivanov said.
Khanty-Mansiysk Governor Alexander Filippenko was quoted as more than 7 billion cubic metres of associated gas are burned off during oil production in the region each year.