Geosynthetics June/July 2022 - 29

Aboveground storage tank
liners for energy applications
Making sound geomembrane design selections
Factory-fabricated bucket or tapered geomembrane liners in a
variety of chemical compositions have become critical in the oil and
gas industry for aboveground frac tanks. But which should be used?
By Ron MacKenzie
O
ver the past 20 years, hydraulic fracking rules and regulations have become
increasingly stringent, and oil and gas (O&G) producers have become progressively
more concerned with environmental stewardship. Quality, factory-fabricated
geomembrane liners for the aboveground storage tank (AST) market have become
a critical element of fracking infrastructure. As most O&G service companies and
producers prefer not to field-fabricate frac tank liners, liner design and appropriate
materials consideration ensure safe and compliant installation and the performance
of the products. This article addresses the historical differences between a bucket liner
and a tapered or flat liner, as well as the considerations of the appropriate liner material
and the associated density. Chemical-compatibility issues associated with ASTs and
frac tanks in general have improved over years of collaborative efforts across industries.
For hundreds, if not thousands, of years, humans have been storing water in tanks,
with most early tanks made from clays, cementitious products, hand-forged metals and
soils. Around 1850, varying materials-such as copper, iron and wood (e.g., Figure 2
on page 30)-began to be used in the O&G industry to store fluids such as petroleum
products, condensates and brines.
In the United States in the late 1800s, in response to the needs of a growing O&G
industry, more companies built modern tanks that were made of iron, steel or concrete.
Outside of the manufacturing and construction process, such as bolting and riveting or
welding steel, very little has changed with these tanks since. Typically, all tanks contain
a floor, sidewalls, and a cover or roof. While these tanks may vary in size, composition
and requirements for chemical compatibility, they are all time-consuming installations
for often permanent storage needs.
The growth of the O&G industry and evolving standards, traditions and best
practices created a need for more temporary and more rapid storage that minimizes
the footprint associated with permanent tanks. Based on this need, the O&G industry
started using frac tanks and ASTs in the early 2000s.
Ron MacKenzie is the chief technical
officer of Inland Tarp & Liner LLC in
Fostoria, Ohio.
All figures courtesy of Inland Tarp & Liner LLC except as noted.
GeosyntheticsMagazine.com
29
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Geosynthetics June/July 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Geosynthetics June/July 2022

Geosynthetics June/July 2022 - Cover1
Geosynthetics June/July 2022 - Cover2
Geosynthetics June/July 2022 - 1
Geosynthetics June/July 2022 - 2
Geosynthetics June/July 2022 - 3
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Geosynthetics June/July 2022 - Cover3
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