A gas flare, alternatively known as a flare stack, flare boom, ground flare, or flare pit, is a gas combustion device used in places such as petroleum refineries, chemical plants and natural gas processing plants, oil or gas extraction sites having oil wells, gas wells, offshore oil …

Gas flaring is the burning of the natural gas associated with oil extraction. The practice has persisted from the beginning of oil production over 160 years ago. It takes place due to a range of issues, from market and economic constraints, to a lack of appropriate regulation and political will.

Natural gas is a gaseous mixture of hydrocarbon compounds, the primary one being methane and non-hydrocarbon gases (e.g., water vapor, carbon dioxide, helium, hydrogen sulfide, and nitrogen). Natural gas flaring is the controlled combustion of volatile hydrocarbons and venting is the direct release of natural gas into the atmosphere, typically

Jun 20, 2024 · We estimate the annual reported volume of natural gas that is vented or flared in the United States declined to 0.5% of gross withdrawals in 2023, based on preliminary state and federal data. We estimate this percentage will be the lowest rate of venting and flaring recorded in 18 years. What is natural gas venting and flaring and why does it ...

Is it bad for the environment? Here are 5 facts to know about flaring. 1. For starters, what exactly is the pole with a flame we often see at industrial sites? The tall, thin structure with flames or steam coming out of the top is called a flare stack. It’s a gas combustion device used at industrial sites to burn off waste or other unwanted ...

Jul 26, 2021 · Read on to learn more about natural gas flaring, key statistics, environmental impact, and alternatives. What is Gas Flaring? In the US, gas flaring falls into two main categories: processing plant flaring and associated gas flaring.

Mar 3, 2025 · Learn about natural gas flaring and why excess natural gas is burned off at the well site during the production of oil and gas. Explore the environmental impacts and alternatives to reduce...

Sep 29, 2022 · Gas flaring is the term for burning off the gas which comes out of the ground while drilling for oil. The flares are the giant flames often seen coming out of smokestacks on oil...

There are 33 fact sheets, one for each natural gas-producing state, explaining state-level flaring and venting regulations.

FE’s role and research portfolio for capture and utilization of flared or vented gas; Producing oil and gas plays and basins in the state; Key state regulations associated with natural gas flaring and venting; Relevant state oil and gas statistics for the last six years, including flared and vented natural gas volumes, as data is available