Groundwater Remediation Systems for Hydrocarbon ContaminationRemove Hydrocarbon Contamination from Groundwater Without Complex, Expensive Systems
Groundwater contamination from fuels and hydrocarbons requires reliable, cost-effective remediation—but traditional pump-based systems can be expensive and maintenance-heavy.
Abanaki oil skimmers provide a simple, low-cost way to remove hydrocarbons directly from groundwater, helping sites achieve cleanup goals with minimal energy and maintenance.
The Challenge of LNAPL and DNAPL Removal
Hydrocarbon Contamination in Groundwater Is Costly to Manage
Groundwater contamination can include:
- Diesel, gasoline, and fuel oils (LNAPLs)
- Heavy oils and weathered hydrocarbons
- Dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs) such as creosote
These contaminants:
- Persist in subsurface environments
- Spread through soil and groundwater systems
- Require long-term remediation strategies
➡️ Result: extended cleanup timelines, high operational costs, and environmental risk
Pump-Based Systems Increase Cost and Complexity
Traditional Remediation Methods Are Resource-Intensive
Many groundwater remediation systems rely on:
- Pump-and-treat systems
- Vacuum extraction
- Complex filtration and separation systems
These approaches:
- Require continuous energy input
- Increase maintenance and equipment costs
- Add operational complexity
- May not efficiently target floating hydrocarbons
➡️ Result: higher lifecycle cost and slower remediation progress
The Abanaki Advantage
Low-Cost, Pumpless Hydrocarbon Removal from Groundwater
Abanaki oil skimmers remove hydrocarbons directly from groundwater using simple, proven oleophilic separation—without complex pumping systems.
How It Works
- A narrow belt is lowered into a monitoring or remediation well
- Hydrocarbons adhere to the belt surface
- Oil is lifted and removed into a collection system
This allows continuous oil recovery with minimal oversight and low power consumption.
👉 Outcome: faster remediation, lower operating costs, and simplified system management
Groundwater Remediation System Solutions
Designed for Wells, Ponds, Trenches, and Wastewater Areas
PetroXtractor Belt Oil Skimmer (Primary Well-Based Solution)
- Designed for use in monitoring and remediation wells
- Operates at depths up to 100 feet
- Works effectively with fluctuating water levels
- Fits wells as small as 2 inches in diameter
- Removes approximately 1–12 gallons per hour
👉 Ideal for:
- Groundwater monitoring wells
- Subsurface remediation systems
- LNAPL and DNAPL recovery
👉 Benefit impact: provides low-cost, continuous hydrocarbon recovery directly at the source
Application-Specific Skimmer Packages
Abanaki offers tailored solutions based on contaminant type:
- Light Fuel Oil Package → gasoline, diesel, LNAPL
- Medium Viscosity Package → motor oil, hydraulic oil
- Heavy Oil Package → weathered fuels and thick hydrocarbons
- DNAPL Package → dense contaminants like creosote
- Solar-Powered Package → remote or off-grid locations
- Explosion-Proof Package → hazardous environments
- Discrete Security Systems → protected installations
👉 Benefit impact: optimized performance based on site conditions and contaminant type
Why Remediation Professionals Choose Abanaki
Simpler Systems, Lower Cost, Proven Results
✔ Lowest-cost method for removing floating hydrocarbons
✔ Minimal maintenance and low energy consumption
✔ Easy installation using existing wells
✔ Continuous operation without complex controls
✔ Proven success in thousands of remediation sites
👉 Result: faster cleanup with lower total remediation cost
Real Impact in Groundwater Remediation
From Long-Term Contamination to Controlled Recovery
Abanaki oil skimmers help remediation projects:
- Reduce hydrocarbon concentration in groundwater
- Shorten remediation timelines
- Lower operating and maintenance costs
- Improve compliance with environmental standards
- Enable efficient pre-treatment before filtration systems
👉 Transforms remediation from a complex process into a manageable, cost-effective solution
Make Groundwater Contamination Into a Controlled Recovery Process, Not a Long-Term Burden
With Abanaki oil skimmers, remediation projects can:
- Reduce hydrocarbon contamination efficiently
- Lower remediation system costs
- Simplify operations and maintenance
- Improve environmental outcomes
Accelerate site cleanup timelines
Check out our Oil Skimming Guide to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is oil skimming in groundwater remediation?
Oil skimming is the process of removing floating hydrocarbons from groundwater using oil-attracting materials such as belts or tubes.
What are LNAPLs and DNAPLs?
- LNAPLs → lighter-than-water fuels like gasoline and diesel
- DNAPLs → heavier-than-water contaminants like creosote
Why is oil skimming cost-effective?
It requires minimal energy, low maintenance, and avoids complex pump-based systems.
Can oil skimming be used with other treatment systems?
Yes. It is often used as a pre-treatment step before filtration or chemical treatment.
What is the PetroXtractor oil skimmer used for?
It is used in monitoring wells to remove hydrocarbons directly from groundwater at depths up to 100 feet.
Do oil skimmers work with fluctuating water levels?
Yes. Abanaki systems are designed to operate effectively even when groundwater levels change.
Groundwater Remediation System Solutions
Petrol, Gasoline, & Light Fuel Oil Groundwater Remediation System
Petrol, Diesel, Gasoline, No. 2 Fuel Oil, LNAPL
Many people don’t know that oil skimmers work on light non-aqueous phase liquid (LNAPLs) such as diesel, gasoline and No. 2 fuel oil. Using a properly designed oil skimmer system and a special “fuzzy” skim media, light fuel oils are easily removed from groundwater, for far less cost than pump and treat solutions.
The heart of the Petrol Groundwater Remediation System is the PetroXtractor belt oil skimmer, which fits groundwater monitoring wells as small as two inches in diameter to depths up to 100 feet. The patent-pending Fuzzy2 oil skimmer belt is made from a special oil-attracting material whose tiny hairs are designed to capture floating fuel as the belt passes through the water.
The oil skimmer scrapes oil from the belt and transfers it to an Oil Concentrator that removes trace water from the reclaimed fuel. Next the fuel is deposited into a transfer tank where it is automatically pumped to a customer provided collection container.
The Abanaki Light Fuel Groundwater Remediation System can be configured with standard or explosion-proof electrical components. This oil skimming system is so compact it can fit in most standard underground vaults and, of course, it can be used above ground as well.
Belts Available
The Fuzzy Belt material effectively remediates light fuel oils such as gasoline, diesel, and fuel oil No. 2 from groundwater.
Schematic Drawings
Medium Viscocity Oil Groundwater Remediation Equipment
Motor Oil, Lube Oil, Hydraulic Oil
Of all the types of groundwater remediation equipment, oil skimmers are particularly effective on medium weight oils such as lube oil, hydraulic oil, and motor oil because the oil easily separates from water and its viscosity makes it easy to handle.
The Medium Viscosity Oil Groundwater Remediation System fits existing monitoring or remediation wells. It uses a low-maintenance Abanaki PetroXtractor belt oil skimmer rather than temperamental pumps. Optimum pickup rates are achieved using either the ultra-durable poly belt or super-poly belt.
The skimmed oil passes through an Oil Concentrator to be sure that the remediated oil is virtually water free. Next the oil is moved via gravity into a transfer tank where it is automatically pumped to a customer provided skimmed oil collection container.
Optional explosion proof electrical components are available. Belt widths range from range from 2″ to 6″ depending on the diameter of the well.
Belts Available
Schematic Drawings
Heavy Oil Groundwater Remediation Equipment
Heating Fuel, Weathered Diesel, Fuel Oil No. 6
This is a complete groundwater remediation equipment package designed to remove high viscosity oils such as heating fuel, weathered diesel, and fuel oil No. 6 from groundwater using monitoring or remediation wells.
The oil skimming equipment does not use a groundwater pump or torpedo pump and is therefore not subject to their associated problems. Rather, it uses the innovative Abanaki PetroXtractor belt oil skimmer fitted with the ultra-durable poly belt plus stabilizer rods. The wells can be 2″ in diameter or greater.
The oil skimming system deposits the skimmed oil into an Oil Concentrator to be sure that the remediated oil is virtually water free. Next the oil is moved via gravity into a transfer tank where it is automatically pumped to a customer provided skimmed oil collection container.
The Abanaki Heavy Oil Groundwater Remediation System can be configured with standard or explosion-proof electrical components. This system can fit in most standard underground vaults and, of course, it can be located above ground as well.
Belts Available
Skimming belts made of oil attracting material are effective at removing heavy oils such as weathered diesel, and heating oil such as fuel oil No. 6.
Schematic Drawings
DNAPL Groundwater Remediation System
Creosote
Dense non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) applications such as creosote can be collected with the PetroXtractor belt oil skimmer. Because these oils sink to the bottom of the well, they require a very special DNAPL groundwater remediation system to ensure the oil is removed. Stabilizer bars are installed between the oil skimmer and tail pulley to maintain close proximity to the bottom of the well for maximum remediation of the product.
The package consists of a PetroXtractor oil skimmer mounted on a 4-foot-tall stand and a 55-gallon drum float switch that will turn off the unit when the drum is full. Timers may be used operate the oil skimmer when DNAPL refresh rates back into the well are slow. Poly belt material is the belt of choice in these applications because of its ability to pick up DNAPLs, like cresote, and its durability.
Belts Available
Schematic Drawings
Solar Powered Oil Skimmer Groundwater Remediation Systems
Solar-powered oil skimmers use 12-volt power to operate in areas where standard power is unavailable. The solar power oil skimmer system consists of a motor, solar panel, timer, battery, battery box, and control components. Typical applications are usually monitoring or remediation wells in remote locations. Belt types used on these systems will depend upon the viscosity of the oil being collected. These packages can be configured with just the basics all the way to vapor-tight units with timers and float switch controls.
Note that solar power is an option with any of Abanaki’s groundwater remediation systems.
Schematic Drawings
Vapor-Tight, Explosion Proof Groundwater Remediation Systems
Vapor-Tight oil skimmer packages are designed to keep explosive vapors from being vented to the atmosphere. The system consists of an Abanaki PetroXtractor belt skimmer made with explosion-proof electrical components, a vapor-tight belt housing, and a self-sealing well casing mounting clamp. Because volatile oils are associated with low viscosity, the oil skimming system uses the patent-pending Fuzzy2 belt made from a special oil-attracting material whose tiny hairs increase surface area and collect light hydrocarbons efficiently.
Note that explosion-proof electrical components are an option with any of Abanaki’s groundwater remediation systems.
Belts Available
Schematic Drawings
Discrete Security Groundwater Remediation Packages
Secured enclosures are used in situations where there is a need to keep the oil skimmer from being tampered with or in situations where the operation of oil removal equipment may be deemed unsightly. These lockable poly shelters are available in two sizes to accommodate various oil skimmer sizes and option configurations. A 30- or 55-gallon drum can be used for oil collection depending on the size of the enclosure chosen.
Note that these enclosures are an option with any of Abanaki’s groundwater remediation products.
