Pit liner discussion awaits federal study

The ongoing discussion over whether to let gas drillers bury “pit liners” where they sit has been put on hold while federal environmental watchdogs study the issue. The Colorado Petroleum Association (CPA) recently asked the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC), which oversees gas and oil drilling activities, to change its rules to permit the burial of pit liners “on site.” Pit liners are thick rubberized sheets used to line pits that hold water and other fluids and solids generated in the drilling process. Current COGCC rules require that the liners be disposed of according to existing local solid-waste guidelines.