The oil and gas industry is a large business sector in the United States, with approximately 1.7 million oil wells as of 2015. Drilling each of these wells requires specialized infrastructure to manage drilling waste effectively, and one critical component of this process is the reserve pit.
Reserve pits are temporary storage excavations dug near oil and gas drilling rigs. They are commonly used to hold drilling fluids, or muds, and other waste materials generated during exploration and extraction processes. Also known by terms such as oil remediation pads, lagoon liners, oilfield pits, frack pad liners, or drilling pad liners, these structures serve as essential containment areas for hazardous waste materials.
Reserve pits play a crucial role in containing mud, wastewater, and other byproducts extracted during drilling operations, preventing contamination of surrounding soil and groundwater. For some situations, closed-loop drilling systems are possible that can effectively screen debris and contaminants from the recirculated mud to allow it to be recycled back through the drilling process. Typical, however the open reserve pit holds an important place in drilling.
The primary function of reserve pits is to prevent the release of drilling waste into the environment, particularly into groundwater sources. To be effective, a reserve pit requires a specialized liner designed to contain toxic substances. Given the chemical complexity of oil and gas byproducts, selecting the right material for reserve pit liners is critical to ensuring long-term environmental safety.
Reserve pits need high-performance containment liners to prevent seepage into the surrounding soil and water table. The effectiveness of these liners depends on the materials used, which must be resistant to the chemical composition of the waste being stored. Oil and gas byproducts are challenging to contain because they often degrade standard liner materials, as many liners are themselves petroleum-based products.
PVC and Polyethylene liners can sometimes be used for short-term oil containment or for containing less hazardous substances. They offer an affordable solution but may not provide sufficient resistance to prolonged exposure to harsh chemicals. XR-5 Geomembrane liners are generally considered among the best for long-term containment of hazardous chemicals. The XR-5 proprietary blend contains UV inhibitors and hydrocarbon-resistant Elvaloy©, which allows it to withstand extended exposure to toxic substances without breaking down – something that defeats conventional liners.
Western Liner owner Shane Carter emphasizes the importance of choosing the right liner for reserve pits, stating, “Reserve pit liners are vital to this industry, and we aim to provide only the best products for their specific needs.” Selecting the wrong liner can lead to catastrophic environmental damage, including leaks, soil contamination, and groundwater pollution.
In the United States, reserve pits are regulated at both federal and state levels to mitigate environmental risks. Key regulations include laws such as the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (handling and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous waste), the Clean Water Act (keeping pollutants out of navigable waters), and the Safe Drinking Water Act (protecting underground drinking water sources from contamination). Additionally, many states have implemented strict guidelines for reserve pits, with state regulators such as the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) and the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality.
When reserve pits are not properly constructed or maintained, they pose significant environmental hazards. Several high-profile incidents illustrate the dangers of defective or leaking reserve pits, and the industry remembers the Wind River Reservation Spill in Wyoming in 2006, which leaked drilling waste into groundwater, leading to lawsuits and intervention by the EPA. More recently, North Dakota and the Texas Panhandle have seen significant reserve pit failures that result in seepage of toxic chemicals into local groundwater. These lead to regulatory fines and a mandated cleanup, so the answer is clear that reserve pits cannot fail in containment, and the key to this is the right reserve pit liner.
