ABSTRACT

The study focuses on effects of environmental accounting on the performance of oil and gas companies   in Nigeria. Oil and gas flaring  have caused severe environmental damages, loss of plants, animals and human lives, and loss of revenue of both the oil producing companies and  the government petroleum exploration, exploitation, storage, distribution and  transportation activities affect the environment I in a conspicuously negative manner.  The method of data  collection adopted by the  researcher are  the use of secondary data  and the secondary data were derived from the Central  Bank of Nigeria statistical bulletin, publication of environmental impact assessment agency. After collection of the data from the secondary sources, the data were tabulated and statistically analyzed using the ordinary least square  analytical technique. It was discovered that there exist a significant relationship between environmental costs and earnings per share of oil and gas companies in Nigeria. The study also  revealed that there exist a significant relationship between gas utilization and output of oil and gas production  in Nigeria. In this   study we have made our  attempt to assess the impact of  environmental costs on earnings per share of  oil  and gas companies in Nigeria. This study proffers a framework for environmental costs in the oil and gas  industry  in Nigeria. To this end, this contributes to studies on environmental costs at  a global level using  the perspective  of Nigeria oil and gas industry. It is therefore concluded  that oil spillage  and gas flaring costs does not significantly affect  the earnings per share of oil and gas companies in Nigeria. Fines and penalties tremendously affect earnings per share of  oil and gas  companies  in Nigeria. Generally, there are no  standards guiding environmental costs in the oil and gas industries in Nigeria. Oil and  gas companies operating  in Nigeria should take necessary measures to avoid the payment of fines and penalties. To ensure this, they should strictly comply with environmental regulations as specified by the  regulatory Agency of the oil and gas industry.