Why is there fire/ smoke coming from oil rigs?

Apparently, it's normal for oil rigs to have fire coming out of them, as I have seen in most pictures I have seen of them, but why do they need fire coming out of them? As shown in the picture: http://www.npl.co.uk/upload/img_400/oil_rig_PENDING.jpgWhy is there fire/ smoke coming from oil rigs?
Methane gas is a by-product of the oil industry. As it is polluted by other elements like sulphur and the quantity is quite small it would not be cost effective to try to harvest it.





Safest way to deal with it is a controlled burn, which is what you see. The tall pipe is for safety purposes.





Ian MWhy is there fire/ smoke coming from oil rigs?
Some oil platforms do burn off the gas that is produced together with the oil. Many separate the gas and either re-inject it into the oil-bearing formations, or export it in separate pipelines.





Some oil platforms have only a small pilot flame; many don't even have that but an automatic ignition system.





The flare tower is still necessary; if there is an accident and the production has to be stopped then the pressure in the system is released through the burner.





Drilling rigs don't normally have flames. This only happens when they have made a new discovery and the well is production tested - these rigs don't as a rule have the facilities to store the oil and gas, so it goes over the burner.





One reason why you see the flames and smoke on all pictures is that it makes for more dramatic pictures! At least there is something that will show that there is something going on, so the press bureaus prefer these pictures even if it's not the normal situation.
Because you can't smoke on an oil rig because of the fire risk, all the smokers are forced into a tiny room with a big chimney. That is the smoke and flames you see, when they are all having a drag.
They come in contact with flammable gasses when looking for oil.


they burn it off . If they didn't , it could accumulate and suffocate or ignite.