FLARING: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

One prevalent depiction linked with oil and gas activities involves a fiery flame emerging from a tall, pole-like structure at a facility. However, what precisely is this, and why does it occur? Is it detrimental to the environment? 

Below are five essential details to understand about flaring:

source: shutterstock

 1. To begin with, what is the upright structure emitting flames or steam that we frequently observe at industrial locations? 

This structure is known as a flare stack, serving as a gas combustion structure employed at industrial sites to burn off waste or undesired gases.

2. What causes the flare stack to generate fire? 

A flare stack ignites flames as a controlled burning process occurs for several common reasons: 1) during testing to stabilize pressure and flow from a well, 2) to handle waste gas that cannot be captured or processed, and 3) for safety or emergency purposes to relieve pressure. Flare stacks are predominantly located in refineries, chemical and petrochemical plants, natural gas processing facilities, offshore exploration platforms, wellheads, and landfills.

3. Does flaring emit carbon emissions? 

The primary function of the flare stack is to burn off vent gas, much of which consists of methane. When methane (remembered from chemistry class as CH4) undergoes combustion, it generates carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O).

Chemical Equation for combustion:
Methane + Oxygen = Carbon dioxide + Water

If methane isn't burned, it will be discharged into the atmosphere unchanged, often appearing invisible or resembling steam in downstream flares.

Methane is 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide in terms of its environmental impact on global warming over a 100-year span. 

This underscores the significance of the flare flame. Operators must ensure that flare stacks are optimized for combustion efficiency, maximizing the burning of methane to convert it into carbon dioxide and thereby reducing a facility's long-term carbon dioxide equivalent emissions.

4. What are some prevalent misconceptions about flaring? 

Initially, individuals often associate fire with danger, yet the truth is, if a flare stack is emitting methane disguised with steam, it signifies a more concerning situation. 

The size and brightness of the flame emanating from a flare stack correlate with the facility's lesser environmental impact in terms of carbon emissions.

5. How can oil and gas companies reduce emissions while still engaging in flaring activities? 

One approach is for companies to diminish regular flaring by repurposing the gas rather than combusting it. Utilizing this gas provides operators with an opportunity to generate additional energy. 

Moreover, contemporary technology enables operators to continuously monitor and assess combustion efficiency, enabling them to decrease the volume of carbon emissions discharged through flares. With current flare optimization solutions, facilities can achieve operational efficiencies of 96 percent or greater. 

This advancement has the potential to reduce up to 12,100 metric tons of CO2 equivalent emissions per flare annually.

source: bakerhughes.com

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