The burning of unwanted gaseous hydrocarbons in a petroleum refinery or on an offshore installation. Once widely used, it is now largely used during the testing of a new well, and when small amounts of unwanted or surplus refinery gas have accumulated, or when there is insufficient pipeline or vessel capacity to transport or store it. A flare stack is an installation used to provide the safe disposal of gaseous hydrocarbons produced during the oil refining process. A flare boom is used on offshore oil platforms, angled away and extending a safe distance from the deck to permit the safe burning of the gases.