Why Dikes and Bunds Aren’t Enough for Oil and Fuel Field Containment
If you’re looking at the cost of building multiple containment basins for your oil field, you may wonder why you need concrete or flexible polymer liners at all.
Who Mandates Containment for Fuel and Oil Fields?
When you first begin researching and planning for secondary containment on an oil field, it’s necessary to start at the top and work downward in terms of regulations.
What Does It Take to Properly Line an Oil and Fuel Field Containment Area?
Reading the EPA’s Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) regulations is a good place to start when planning secondary containment for an oil field.
The Costs and Risks of Oil and Fuel Field Spills
Since there’s often a lower volume of storage and a greater focus on production on the oil field, many operators and owners wonder why they need to be so concerned with spills at all.
The Challenges of Containment at Oil and Fuel Fields
Every containment situation, even for a single 55-gallon drum of oil, comes with its own challenges.
The 5 Main Components of Secondary Containment at Oil and Fuel Fields
There are dozens of components that go into a complete secondary containment system. However, there are some basics that form the backdrop of the containment plan.
Other Industries That Also Need Oil and Fuel Containment
Oil fields and refineries create some of the most challenging containment situations due to their scale and volume.
What is Containment for the Oil and Fuel Industry?
Oil and fuel may run today’s modern world, but they’re also hazardous materials.
Handling Produced Water and Other Byproducts of Oil Production
Crude oil isn’t the only petrochemical that needs special handling and secondary containment.
Oil Containment for Loading and Unloading Zones
All transfer zones used for the loading and unloading of oil need special attention to secondary containment.
Ground vs Water Containment for Oil Spills
Both onshore and offshore oil mining and processing facilities need containment. However, controlling the spread of oil in water is often far harder than on the ground.
Who Regulates Oil Containment Requirements?
When planning an oil containment system, it’s best to start by verifying you have all the relevant regulations and codes at your disposal.
Flexible Liners for Primary and Secondary Oil Containment
While the EPA mandates a wide range of different complementary oil containment methods, most of them work best when flexible liners are involved.
Practical vs. Impractical Oil Containment Methods
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) may require secondary oil containment methods for most oil storage tanks depending on volume.
Costs and Risks of Accidental Oil Spills and Leaks
Storing or transporting large volumes of oil always creates a risk of a spill.
The Challenges of Containing Oil and Other Petrochemicals
Oil and its byproducts are some of the most challenging liquids to contain.
Backup Spill Protection for Secondary Containment Areas
Even with the right secondary containment pads and other measures, you still need basic spill protection procedures for emergencies.
Maintaining Your Secondary Containment Pads
Containment pads take plenty of planning and careful installation, but you’ll only need to do minimal maintenance on a monthly basis to keep your pads in good shape.
Choosing a Liner for Permanent Containment Areas
Once you’ve determined how many permanent containment pads you need and their general sizes, you still need to choose a liner material.
Calculating the Size of Each Secondary Containment Pad
Before you can design a new secondary containment pad that is custom fit to your needs, you’ll need to determine the expected volume for each containment zone.
Pre-made vs. Custom Pads for Secondary Containment
After determining the regulations related to your particular business and storage procedures, it’s time to choose the containment pads you want to add to your facility.
Secondary Containment Pads for Agriculture
After oil refinery and mining operations, agricultural facilities are the next largest group of businesses that handle hazardous waste.
Who Regulates Secondary Containment Standards?
Secondary spill containment is more than just a good idea for loss control. It’s also mandated by multiple levels of federal, state, and local laws.
