Why are the tops of oil wells on fire?

The flame at the top of an oil rig is an iconic image for the Oil & Gas Industry, yet few people understand why companies choose to burn natural gas. By burning excess natural gas, flaring protects against the dangers of over-pressuring industrial equipment.

Why is there a flame on an oil rig?

Natural gas flaring and venting systems on offshore platforms and in oil extraction serve to burn off waste gas, excess gases, and as a safety means.

Why did Saddam Hussein burn the oil fields?

It is also hypothesized that Iraq decided to destroy the oil fields to achieve a military advantage, believing the intense smoke plumes serving as smoke screens created by the burning oil wells would inhibit Coalition offensive air strikes, foil allied precision guided weapons and spy satellites, and could screen …

Why do platforms have flares?

Flare systems are elevated to keep the open flame away from ground level and reduce the effects of heat, smoke and noise. Although burning hydrocarbons in a flare, as illustrated in Fig. Approximately one-fourth of the flare gas and greenhouse emission comes from offshore topside platforms.

What is flaring in the oil industry?

Flaring is the controlled burning of natural gas and a common practice in oil/gas exploration, production and processing operations. A flare system consists of a flare stack and pipes that feed gas to the stack. Flare size and brightness are related to the type and amount of gas or liquids in the flare stack.

Why flaring is done?

Flaring is undertaken as a way to remove dangerous gasses with lower harm to the environment. It is used in safely regulating pressure in chemical plants, as well as handling natural gas release in wells. Alternatives, such as piping the gas to a plant or on-site capture and use, are of great interest.

Does flour put out a grease fire?

Do NOT use flour on a grease fire. While sometimes baking soda can extinguish a small grease fire (though not if the fire is too overwhelming), flour cannot and should not be used. Due to chemical risk of contaminating your kitchen, putting out a grease fire with your fire extinguisher should be the last resort.

Does salt put out fire?

Salt will smother the fire almost as well as covering it with a lid, while baking soda chemically extinguishes it. Avoid using flour or baking powder, which can explode in the flames instead of snuffing them out.

Are the Kuwaiti oil fields still burning?

The fires started in January 1991; the last was extinguished by November of the same year. Their smoke and fumes are thought by some to have contributed to Gulf War Syndrome, the illness suffered by many veterans of the conflict. Now, 20 years later, the Earth has largely reclaimed the area.