The Leviathan rig began operations on November 19, 2019, as part of a "test-run" trial scheduled for roughly 45 days. The rig's permit dictates that the flare will only activate during planned maintenance or emergencies. Each flare activation requires a detailed follow-up report within 14 days. Igniting the flare burns the gas pumped through it, reducing (but not eliminating) the toxins released. The flare still emits huge volumes of greenhouse gases. 

Over 100 breakdowns have occurred since operations began, including one that posed mortal danger. 

Examples include:

• October 17, 2020, a fire in the rig's kitchen caused an electrical malfunction, causing gas to be pumped out the flare without being burned before its release. Israel's Environmental Protection Ministry issued Chevron a $144,000 fine for failing to ignite the gas. However, this fee is negligible for a company raking in roughly $150 billion annually. 
• February 11, 2020: Communication failure with the wellhead (75 miles at sea)
• January 11, 2020: Heavy rains expose volatile and toxic condensate pipes
• January 1, 2020: Decreased pressure shuts the gas flow
• May 2, 2020: Gas leak forces flare operation, posing mortal danger (see report).
• March 14, 2020: Malfunction shuts down gas production, ignites the rig's emergency flare and dumps gas into the sea.