Why is wasted gas from oil exploration sites flared up into the sky as opposed to being used for some other process that needs energy?

Question

Seems wasteful? But I know nothing about the process and am curious.

In: Engineering

Answer 1

They flare it when the cost concentrate the gas and to move it to the place it can be sold is higher than the price of the gas. Why would I pay $3 to handle and ship the gas I have when it’s only gonna net me $2? End up net -$1.

Since we have no price or penalty for emissions, it is free for them to simply burn it.