FGI ‘fracking’ short course Feb. 28 in Pa.

Fabricated Geomembrane Institute’s “Environmental Protection in Shale Oil and Gas Development”

The Fabricated Geomembrane Institute (FGI) announced in a Jan. 3 press release its short course featuring liner and containment applications—“Environmental Protection in Shale Oil and Gas Development”—Feb. 28, 2013, in Williamsport, Pa.

The day-long course offers presentations by industry professionals, including academics, contractors, engineers, installers, and third party testing personnel. This course will cover “valuable information pertinent to retrieving gas and oil in the Appalachian Basin,” according to the release.

Instructors will provide information about applicable regulations, best development practices, techniques to ensure environmental protection, and construction materials techniques to facilitate shale oil and gas development.

The press release cited several speakers at the conference, including David Yoxtheimer (Penn State) on groundwater protection during shale development, and Hunter Nolen (CDM/Smith) on shale oil and gas development and the environmental challenges these processes present.

Stan Slifer (Watersaver) and Glen Knopp (Inland Tarp & Liner) will talk about the use of drilling pad site liners and a representative from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will discuss a study regarding hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”).

The release noted that there is a hands-on welding and testing demonstration scheduled after lunch and also at the end of the course with Frank Sinclair (Sinclair Equipment) and Steve Hobbs (Leister).

A list of speakers and the agenda is available online.

Registration for industry professionals is $49 until Feb. 21, and government employees and students are welcome free of charge. The course is at the Pennsylvania College of Technology Professional Development Center in Williamsport. Participants are eligible for seven professional development hours.

To register, visit www.eventbrite.com/org/251955428?s=7707765.