Capital spending decisions in oil and gas are rarely straightforward. Equipment that will be used continuously for years at a fixed location is generally worth buying. Equipment needed for a short-term project, an emergency, or a commissioning phase may make far more economic sense to rent. Portable flares and combustion equipment sit squarely in the rental category for many operators.
This article looks at the scenarios where rental combustion equipment is the right choice, what to consider when selecting a provider, and how vapor recovery integrates with portable and temporary combustion solutions.
When Portable Flares Are the Right Choice
There are several common situations where a rental flare makes more sense than a permanent installation.
Well testing and completions: During the flowback phase after hydraulic fracturing, gas volumes are often too high and too unpredictable for a permanent facility to handle safely. A portable flare provides temporary combustion capacity during this period, protecting the wellsite from uncontrolled releases and allowing the operator to safely manage the well while permanent facilities are being constructed.
Plant turnarounds and maintenance shutdowns: When a processing facility undergoes a planned shutdown for inspection or repair, normal gas handling systems are taken offline. A temporary flare or combustion unit provides a safe disposal path for gases generated during the shutdown period.
Emergency situations: Equipment failures, unexpected pressure events, and other emergencies can create a sudden need for additional combustion capacity. Rental flares provide a fast-response solution when permanent systems are overloaded or unavailable.
Project-based work: Engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors working on new facility builds often need temporary flaring capacity during commissioning before the permanent systems are operational.
What to Look for in a Rental Combustion Equipment Provider
Not all rental equipment is the same. When evaluating providers, operators should consider equipment condition and reliability, compliance documentation, field support capabilities, and delivery and setup time. A rental flare in a remote location that develops a mechanical problem is only useful if the provider can dispatch a service technician quickly. Providers with equipment staged regionally can typically mobilize faster than those shipping from a central warehouse.
Integrating Vapor Recovery with Temporary Operations
Temporary flaring is not always the best option, even for short-term projects. In some cases, a rental vapor recovery system makes better financial and environmental sense than a flare. During well testing, for example, the gas produced may have sufficient value to justify capturing and selling it rather than burning it.
The choice between temporary flaring and temporary vapor recovery depends on gas volume, composition, and the availability of a sales line. In cases where a sales connection is nearby and the gas is clean enough to sell, the economics often favor recovery over combustion, even for short project durations.
Vapour recovery units in rental configurations are available for exactly these situations, offering the same emissions control and resource recovery benefits as permanent installations without the long-term capital commitment.
BTEX Emissions and Enclosed Combustors
One area where rental equipment selection requires careful attention is BTEX emissions. Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene are classified as hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) under the Clean Air Act. In states where BTEX-containing gas streams are common, rental combustion equipment must be capable of achieving the destruction temperatures necessary to fully oxidize these compounds.
Open portable flares may not consistently achieve the required destruction efficiency for BTEX compounds under all flow conditions. Enclosed combustors, which maintain higher and more consistent combustion temperatures, are often the better choice for BTEX-containing streams.
Logistics and Permitting for Temporary Combustion
Portable flares and rental combustion units typically require a permit or registration before they can be operated. The specific requirements vary by state and sometimes by county. In Texas, for example, operators may need an emergency or temporary permit from the TCEQ. In Oklahoma, the ODEQ has its own registration process for portable combustion devices.
Experienced rental providers understand these requirements and can assist operators in navigating the permitting process. This is another area where working with a provider who has deep regional experience pays off, since permit requirements and processing times vary significantly across jurisdictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How quickly can a portable flare be deployed to a wellsite?
Deployment times vary depending on the provider’s logistics and the location of the wellsite. Providers with equipment staged regionally can often deliver and set up a portable flare within 24 to 72 hours. Emergency situations may require expedited logistics arrangements.
Q2: Are rental flares subject to the same emissions regulations as permanent flares?
Yes. Portable flares must comply with applicable federal and state regulations regardless of whether they are owned or rented. Operators are responsible for ensuring that any combustion equipment on their site, including rented units, meets regulatory requirements.
Q3: Can a rental vapor recovery unit be used during well testing?
In many cases, yes. If the well is producing gas with sufficient volume and quality to justify recovery, a rental VRU can capture and compress the gas for sale or use as fuel. The feasibility depends on gas composition, available infrastructure for gas sales, and project duration.
Q4: What documentation should be requested from a rental equipment provider?
Operators should request inspection and maintenance records, combustion efficiency test results or certifications, pilot monitoring documentation, and any applicable emissions permits or registrations for the specific unit being rented.
Q5: How does BTEX content affect the selection of rental combustion equipment?
High BTEX concentrations require combustion equipment capable of sustained high-temperature operation to achieve complete destruction of these hazardous air pollutants. Enclosed combustors are generally preferred over open flares for BTEX-containing streams. Ask providers specifically about combustion temperature and how it is maintained across varying flow conditions.
Mark Martin is a freelance writer and editor based in New York City. He has written extensively on topics ranging from technology, business and lifestyle. His work has been featured in major publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and Wired Magazine.
