Oilfield containment liners: Everything you should know

Liners can protect industrial containers from leaks and chemical damage, whether they hold water or chemical mixtures. However, when oil is involved, the need for airtight, dependable liners is crucial. Oil spills, no matter their size, can be devastating to the environment, harming the health of wildlife and making natural resources toxic. That’s why companies in the oilfield industry have a responsibility to line their oilfield tanks with liners that are safe from flammable liquids and leaks. 

3 things you should know about oilfield containment liners

In recent years, the number and severity of oil spills have declined. This is partly due to regulations put in place by the EPA and other organizations to prevent accidental leaks. If your company is looking to invest in new oilfield containment liners, you should be sure to review the following: 

  1. Oilfield containers must have a secondary containment system. 

The purpose of oilfield containment liners is to prevent all oil products from interacting with the natural environment, protecting wildlife and drinking water. As a result, all oilfield containers must legally have a secondary containment system in case the primary system fails. A secondary containment system catches hazardous materials that are accidentally released from a storage container during a leak. Ideally, your primary and secondary containment systems should both be lined to provide the utmost protection against leaks.

  1. Secondary oilfield containers must be able to withstand 110% capacity.

Liners placed in the secondary containment system should be durable, flexible and resistant to chemical damage. This is especially important since secondary containment systems need to be able to contain 110% of the primary tank’s capacity, which means they need to have the ability to hold more than the tank itself. An oilfield containment liner can help the container withstand a high volume of oil and combustion caused by the oil. 

  1. Secondary oilfield containment liners should be checked regularly. 

When it comes to oilfield containment liners, it is important to consistently check them for tightness and wear-and-tear-related damage. While your liner should be durable and effective for years at a time, It is better to be proactive and test it regularly than have to rely on being reactive when a contaminant leaks into the soil or groundwater. 

Witt Lining Systems can help you find the oilfield containment liners you need

Oilfield containers need ample protection, beyond their minimal requirements. After all, a spill could happen at any time. You can protect both your primary and secondary oilfield containers against leaks with a liner. Reach out to our team at Witt Lining Systems today and take the first step toward getting the flexible drop-in liner solutions you need.