2) Well completion involves the removal of fluids and excess solids from the well bore so that the gas can flow freely out of the well. These fluids are accompanied by gas from the formation that must be separated, vented, and then flared when
there is enough gas flowing to sustain the fire. The NY DEC estimatesthat completion can take up to 3 days per well,though 12 to 24 hours is common, and has proposed that gas flaring not exceed 120 million standard cubic feet (mmscf) in a year.A 2009 report estimates that a Marcellus well will produce, on average, 2.5 bscf, so the NY DEC’s suggested cap would limit flares to 4.8% of the total gas production of a well. If the average is closer to the Chesapeake projection of 4.2 bscf,4
flaring would be limited to 2.9%
of the total gas production of a
well.