Disaster

Routine Flaring

Routine flaring is a widely employed global practice during crude oil extraction where significant amounts of unused or unwanted “associated petroleum gas” (APG) are disposed of.

Illustrated oil field at night with gas flares burning off excess methane into the sky
Illustration from the Climate Cooldown board game.

In the game

In the game Climate Cooldown, "Routine Flaring" is a Disaster card which increases the global emissions due to the release of carbon dioxide during the process of controlled combustion while hydrocarbons are being extracted from the ground.

Prospective degrees

Chemical engineeringEnergy engineering

Careers

Flare gas capture engineerFlaring reduction strategist

For the classroom

Discussion prompts by grade level

  • What is routine flaring and why is it concerning?
  • Can you think of any ways to reduce routine flaring?

Connects to

Relevant Sustainable Development Goals