While Europe faces gas shortages, Friends of the Earth International is putting the Nigerian government under pressure to ensure that oil companies stop flaring Nigerian gas. Following a December 31, 2008 deadline to end harmful gas flaring in Nigeria, Friends of the Earth International started today a letter writing campaign - directed at the Nigerian President - asking the Nigerian government to prevent oil companies from continuing to flare gas. Anglo-Dutch oil giant Shell is the largest producer of gas and oil in Nigeria. Gas is often found mixed with crude oil, and must be separated. The cheapest way to deal with the gas is also the most environmentally destructive way: burning it. This practice costs the African country about US$2.5 billion annually, while more than 66% of the population is estimated to live in poverty.