Geomembrane liners, sometimes referred to as poly-liners, are commonly used in the oil and gas industry as a barrier to protect soil and groundwater from contamination. There are several types of geomembrane liners, ranging from polyvinyl chloride, chlorinated polyethylene, ethylene propylene rubber, polypropylene, and high-density polyethylene, among others. The type of geomembrane selected is dependent upon the chemicals being contained. Geomembranes can be used for the short-term storage of certain chemicals and wastes and are often utilized as an engineering control for long-term storage of drilling wastes, such as with reserve pit closure, which is intended to last indefinitely; however, geomembrane liners, while persistent, do not last forever, even under controlled conditions. This presentation will discuss concerns over the degradation of geomembrane liners over time, leading to potential environmental concerns in the future.

Primary Author / Conference Presenter:
Jeffrey Tyson, P.E.
Corporate Sales Executive
Scott Energy Technologies LLC
Longview, Texas, USA