The Environmental Protection Agency says it has to give Tullow the approval to flare gas from the Jubilee Field to save its infrastructure from collapsing.

According to the Agency, the green light was given around May this year. 

However there are concerns this could be dangerous for the environment. The Ghana gas project would also be affected as the gas which would be used to fuel the plant is been wasted.

But head of public affairs at the Environmental Protection Agency, Angelina Mensah tells Joy Business they took this decision in the interest of the economy.

But the “national policy no flaring still stands”, she said. She explained that not being allowed to flare the gas could damage Tullow’s reservoir, and drastically cut down production.

Tullow would however be surcharged for flaring, Angelina Mensah stated.

The Managing Director of Tullow Oil, Charles Darku had told  Joy Business in March  that  production at  jubilee field  had been reduced by almost  5,000 barrels every day because of their inability to flare the natural gas.

In a related Development, Tullow Ghana confirms that it has received a letter from the Minister of Energy & Petroleum stating that he has no objection to Tullow flaring gas at the Jubilee Field.

The letter stated that Tullow Ghana is permitted to flare 500 Million standard cubic (mmscf) feet of gas per month until the end of October 2014.

External and internal discussions about the management of any flaring are on-going and will need to be completed before permitted flaring begins.

Tullow Ghana’s forecast for gross Jubilee production for 2014 remains unchanged at 100,000 barrels of oil per day.