The Marcellus shale is a prolific natural gas formation in the Northeastern United States. Due to the regulatory environment, the containment and reuse of gas field water (produced) requires special attention. This project, near Williamsport, PA, involved the containment and reuse of 2,000,000 gallons of produced water for completion operations. The owner, a Marcellus Shale E&P Company, required a double-walled containment tank liner system utilizing large, prefabricated bucket liners along with a conductive geotextile for leak detection.
Double-Walled Containment Solution
To ensure durability and compliance, the owner selected Layfield to prefabricate and install our Linear Low-Density Polyethylene LLDPE geomembrane, supported by Geovolt® conductive geotextile for electrical leak testing. For the project, Layfield supplied prefabricated bucket liners and stepped panels with the following dimensions:
- Geovolt®: 190’ x 190’ prefabricated panel
- 16 oz Non-Woven Geotextile: 177’ x 177’ prefabricated panel
- LLDPE 40 mil: 168’ x 168’ prefabricated bucket liner
- LLDPE 40 mil : 156’ x 156’ prefabricated bucket liner
Challenges & Results
Deploying the large, prefabricated bucket liners was a skilled process, requiring precision, time, and a high level of expertise. Layfield’s detailed deployment instructions proved invaluable, ensuring the installation was carried out flawlessly and that no repairs were needed for the three LLDPE bucket liners. The meticulous planning and execution of the deployment process highlighted the importance of following precise guidelines to achieve optimal results.
To ensure the integrity of the double-walled containment tank liner system, a third party conducted the Electrical Leak Test (ELT). This critical step involved using the Geovolt® technology to spark-test beneath the primary liner before any produced water was added to the containment system. The ELT was essential in verifying the absence of leaks and ensuring the reliability of the liner installation.
The 2,000,000-gallon containment system was successfully commissioned using Layfield’s specialty geosynthetics and world-class fabrication facilities located in Lakeside, California. The combination of advanced materials and expert craftsmanship yielded a robust, reliable containment solution. The project demonstrated Layfield’s commitment to quality and innovation in geosynthetics, showcasing our ability to deliver high-performance solutions to complex environmental challenges.
