Analysing the concept of environmental sustainability in oil and gas operations in the Global South: a case study of Nigeria – Niger Delta

This paper analyses the concept of sustainability in oil and gas operations in the Global South (GS) using the Nigeria Niger Delta as a case study. Over the years, countries around the world have relied on oil and gas for energy security, economic growth, self-sufficiency and to gain geopolitical advantages. The exploration and production of oil and gas continue to be a priority in producer countries of the GS with regulations and policies being implemented to enhance the sustainability of the industry. In 2018, before the pandemic, global energy production was 14 421 Mtoe, an increase of 3.2% compared to 2017; mainly driven by coal, oil and gas. Thus, despite the global sensitisation towards renewable energy, oil and gas continue to play a key role in shaping worldeconomies. Globally, producing countries and oil and gas companies face the increasing demand to explain how they can contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the achievement of Paris Agreement goals. This has necessitated energy companies to carefully consider adapting their operations, policies and business models to reduce the impacts of oil and gas operations on the environment. Therefore, sustainability has been an overarching theme over the past decades and industries including oil and gas have the responsibility to incorporate sustainable practices in their operations and policies. research investigates the environmental sustainability issues of oil and gas operations in the Niger Delta region in Nigeria.