Sustainable Geomembrane Recycling and Down-Cycling

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) officials welcomed the recent creation of an entity that collects and reprocesses geomembranes used in various aspects of Marcellus shale oil and gas drilling, development, and production. These various aspects include well pad liners, above ground impoundments, secondary containment, and floating covers. Well pad liners are placed over a large area (usually 60 m (200 ft) by 60 m (200 ft)) around the drill well to contain drilling fluids, provide an anti-slip surface for drill workers, and contain oil and gas products. Above ground containment ponds are used for a variety of containment purposes, e.g., drill pad water, well flowback water, and shale derived liquids. Secondary containment geomembranes are used around oil and gas storage tanks to contain any leaks from these tanks. Floating covers are used to prevent contact with the environment and wildlife of various liquids associated with the shale play.