A flare is the result of a controlled burn of natural gas from a well. This is a safe way to test a well’s performance. Flaring is a common practice within the natural gas and oil industry, as well as a number of other industries. Garbage dumps and landfills often flare in order to control the methane gas naturally produced by the decomposition of organic materials.
Chesapeake flares on a case-by-case basis. The process involves directing gas into a vertical pipe and lighting it. This controlled flame rises from the stack and is never large enough to extend beyond the perimeter of the site. Because only gas is burned during this process, no sparks or embers are generated to cause a fire concern in the surrounding area.