In flaring, the platform will divert the stream of condensate out into the open air, where it is ignited. This ensures that oil continues to flow from the well, which is essential for many types of wells in order to avoid having to redrill them.
[from http://www.winston.com/newslib.nsf/14ef8ceb13a650f4862564a7004f7947/104f37e89aa6d70f862569fc00777efa?OpenDocument]