The OSSA II Pipeline Oil Spill: the Character and Weathering of the Spilled Oil

ABSTRACT The methods used to forecast the movement of spilled oil have not changed significantly since the Argo Merchant spill. Little has been done to improve the deficiencies brought to light during this incident. Some of the deficiencies in the state-of-the-art are examined here, particularly those related to our incomplete knowledge of the physical mechanisms involved in oil spill movement. A basic framework for the development of an improved forecasting system is presented. It is based on the integration of a horizontal transport model, an evaporation model, and a vertical dispersion model.

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MODELING THE WIND INFLUENCE IN AN OIL SPILL ALONG THE SOUTHERN BRAZILIAN SHELF

Revista de Engenharia Térmica ◽

10.5380/reterm.v11i1-2.62008 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 11 (1-2) ◽

pp. 100

Author(s):

C. E. Stringari ◽

W. C. Marques ◽

L. F. Mello ◽

R. T. Edit

Keyword(s):

Oil Spill ◽

Oil Spills ◽

Marine Ecosystem ◽

Computational Cost ◽

Temperature Fields ◽

Local Wind ◽

Wind Influence ◽

Oil Density ◽

Environmental Agencies ◽

Spilled Oil

Oil spills can generate different effects in different time scales on the marine ecosystem. The numerical modeling of this process is an important tool with low computational cost which provides a powerful appliance to environmental agencies regarding the risk management. In this way, the objective of this work is evaluate the local wind influence in a hypothetical oil spill along the Southern Brazilian shelf. The numerical simulation was carried using the ECOS model (Easy Coupling Oil System), an oil spill model developed at the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande – FURG, coupled with the tridimensional hydrodynamical model TELEMAC3D (EDF, France). The hydrodynamic model provides the velocities, salinity and temperature fields used by the oil spill model to evaluate the behavior and fate of the oil. The results suggest that the local wind influence are the main forcing driven the fate of the spilled oil. The direction and intensity of the currents are important controlling the behavior and the tridimensional transportation of the oil, on the other hand, the turbulent diffusion is important for the horizontal drift of the oil. The weathering results indicate 40% of evaporation and 80% of emulsification, and the combination of these processes leads an increasing of the oil density around 53.4 kg/m³ after 5 days of simulation.

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Influence of Tidal Current, Wind, and Wave in Hebei Spirit Oil Spill Modeling

Journal of Marine Science and Engineering ◽

10.3390/jmse8020069 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 69 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kwang-Ho Lee ◽

Tag-Gyeom Kim ◽

Yong-Hwan Cho

Keyword(s):

Oil Spill ◽

Tidal Current ◽

Stokes Drift ◽

Wind Drift ◽

Drift Current ◽

External Forces ◽

Efdc Model ◽

Spilled Oil ◽

Environmental Fluid ◽

Good Agreement

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of three external forces (tidal current, wind, and waves) on the movement of oil spilled during the Hebei Spirit oil spill accident. The diffusion of the spilled oil was simulated by using a random walk (RW) model that tracks the movement caused by advection-diffusion assuming oil as particles. For oil simulation, the wind drift current generated by wind and tidal current fields were computed by using the environmental fluid dynamics code (EFDC) model. Next, the wave fields were simulated by using the simulating waves nearshore (SWAN) model, and the Stokes drift current fields were calculated by applying the equation proposed by Stokes. The computed tidal currents, wind drift currents, and Stokes drift currents were applied as input data to the RW model. Then, oil diffusion distribution for each external force component was investigated and compared with that obtained from satellite images. When the wind drift currents and Stokes drift currents caused by waves were considered, the diffusion distribution of the spilled oil showed good agreement with that obtained from the observation.

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Modeling and analysis of a catastrophic oil spill and vapor cloud explosion in a confined space upon oil pipeline leaking

Petroleum Science ◽

10.1007/s12182-019-00403-2 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 17 (2) ◽

pp. 556-566 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Shengzhu Zhang ◽

Xu Wang ◽

Y. Frank Cheng ◽

Jian Shuai

Keyword(s):

Oil Spill ◽

Field Investigation ◽

Confined Space ◽

Field Surveys ◽

Modeling And Analysis ◽

Oil Pipeline ◽

Modeling Analysis ◽

Vapor Cloud ◽

Spilled Oil ◽

Oil Spilling

Abstract Oil spill-induced vapor cloud explosions in a confined space can cause catastrophic consequences. In this work, investigation was conducted on the catastrophic pipeline leak, oil spill, and the resulting vapor cloud explosion accident occurring in China in 2013 by modeling analysis, field surveys, and numerical simulations. The total amount of the spilled oil was up to 2044.4 m3 due to improper disposal. The long residence time of the oil remaining in a confined space permitted the formation of explosive mixtures and caused the vapor cloud explosion. A numerical model was developed to estimate the consequence of the explosion based on volatilization testing results. The results show that the death-leading zone and the glass-breaking zone could be 18 m and 92 m, respectively, which are consistent with the field investigation. The severity of the explosion is related to the amount of the oil spill, properties of oil, and volatilization time. It is recommended that a comprehensive risk assessment be conducted to analyze the possible consequences upon oil spilling into a confined space. Prompt collection and ventilation measures should be taken immediately after the spill occurs to reduce the time for oil volatilization and prevent the mixture from reaching its explosive limit.

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“An Inevitable Consequence:” Changing Ideas of Prevention in the Wake of Catastrophic Events

Journal of Policy History ◽

10.1017/s0898030620000160 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 32 (4) ◽

pp. 412-438

Author(s):

TERESA SABOL SPEZIO

Keyword(s):

Greenhouse Gases ◽

Oil Spill ◽

Oil Spills ◽

Oil Industry ◽

Visual Evidence ◽

The Face ◽

Policy Transformation ◽

The 1960S ◽

Oil Spill Cleanup ◽

Spilled Oil

AbstractIn the face of technology failures in preventing oil from reaching beaches and coasts after catastrophic oil spills in the 1960s and early 1970s, the oil industry and governmental officials needed to quickly reconsider their idea of prevention. Initially, prevention meant stopping spilled oil from coating beaches and coasts. Exploring the presentations at three oil-spill conferences in 1969, 1971 and 1973, this idea of prevention changed as the technological optimism of finding effective methods met the realities of oil-spill cleanup. By 1973, prevention meant stopping oil spills before they happened. This rapid policy transformation came about because the oil industry could not hide the visual evidence of the source of their technology failures. In this century, as policymakers confront invisible pollutants such as pesticides and greenhouse gases, considering ways to visually show the source of the pollution along with the effects could quicken policy decisions.

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Numerical Simulation of Oil Spill in Ocean

Journal of Applied Mathematics ◽

10.1155/2012/681585 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2012 ◽

pp. 1-15 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Yong-Sik Cho ◽

Tak-Kyeom Kim ◽

Woochang Jeong ◽

Taemin Ha

Keyword(s):

Oil Spill ◽

Shallow Water Equations ◽

Dispersion Model ◽

Coastal Environment ◽

Diffusion Reaction ◽

Reaction Equation ◽

Advection Diffusion ◽

Coastal Damage ◽

Spilled Oil ◽

Marine Environmental

The spreading of oil in an open ocean may cause serious damage to a marine environmental system. Thus, an accurate prediction of oil spill is very important to minimize coastal damage due to unexpected oil spill accident. The movement of oil may be represented with a numerical model that solves an advection-diffusion-reaction equation with a proper numerical scheme. In this study, the spilled oil dispersion model has been established in consideration of tide and tidal currents simultaneously. The velocity components in the advection-diffusion-reaction equation are obtained from the shallow-water equations. The accuracy of the model is verified by applying it to a simple but significant problem. The results produced by the model agree with corresponding analytical solutions and field-observed data. The model is then applied to predict the spreading of an oil spill in a real coastal environment.

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THE 1987 NEWFOUNDLAND OIL SPILL EXPERIMENT1

International Oil Spill Conference Proceedings ◽

10.7901/2169-3358-1989-1-101 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 1989 (1) ◽

pp. 101-103

Author(s):

E. J. Tennyson ◽

H. Whittaker

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Crude Oil ◽

Oil Spill ◽

Performance Test ◽

State Of The Art ◽

Test Procedure ◽

Open Ocean ◽

Chemical Additive ◽

Recovery Effort ◽

Spilled Oil

ABSTRACT A joint Canadian-United States exercise involving the intentional spilling of approximately 18,000 gallons of specially treated crude oil was conducted off Newfoundland in September 1987 to evaluate the containment and recovery capabilities of three state-of-the-art booms and skimmers. As part of the exercise, data were collected on a specially instrumented oil spill boom in an attempt to verify a proposed performance test procedure for open-ocean oil spill booms. A viscoelastic chemical additive was used, after the equipment evaluation was completed, to enhance recovery operations. Additional observations were made on the persistence of spilled oil slicks in advanced sea states. The containment and recovery effort was successful, despite winds and sea states commonly thought to be beyond existing capabilities.

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RESPONSE TO THE APRIL 1988 OIL SPILL AT MARTINEZ, CALIFORNIA

International Oil Spill Conference Proceedings ◽

10.7901/2169-3358-1989-1-65 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 1989 (1) ◽

pp. 65-69 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

J. P. Fraser ◽

J. R. Mortenson ◽

D. P. Montoro ◽

M. E. Rugg

Keyword(s):

Oil Spill ◽

High Viscosity ◽

Hot Water ◽

Complex Part ◽

Sorbent Materials ◽

Saltwater Marshes ◽

High Viscosity Oil ◽

Oil Company ◽

Suisun Bay ◽

Spilled Oil

ABSTRACT A spill of approximately 9,400 bbl of San Joaquin Valley crude oil (13.5 API gravity) occurred on April 23, 1988, from the Shell Oil Company Martinez Manufacturing Complex. Part of the high-viscosity oil eventually reached Carquinez Strait and Suisun Bay. Areas initially affected by the spill included a 103-acre freshwater marsh, the shorelines of Carquinez Strait and Suisun Bay, saltwater marshes associated with both the strait and the bay, three marinas, two local parks, and waterfront properties in Benicia. To aid in the cleanup, Shell used the facilities of the local oil spill cooperative, Clean Bay, Inc., four oil spill contractors, and U.S. Navy skimmers. Two local organizations were actively involved in caring for birds and other widlife oiled by the spill. Within four weeks, over 90 percent of the spilled oil was judged by the federal On-Scene Coordinator to have been recovered. Cleanup of floating oil involved use of skimmers and vacuum trucks. Sorbent materials were used extensively for shoreline cleanup, and a substantial amount of vegetation was removed to reduce the risk of wildlife contamination. High-pressure hot water was used to clean some rocky shorelines.

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Recent Results from Oil Spill Response Research

International Oil Spill Conference Proceedings ◽

10.7901/2169-3358-1991-1-673 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 1991 (1) ◽

pp. 673-676

Author(s):

Edward Tennyson

Keyword(s):

Oil Spill ◽

Oil Spills ◽

Management Service ◽

Research Projects ◽

Response Strategies ◽

Yield Information ◽

Environmental Test ◽

Oil Spill Response ◽

Spilled Oil

ABSTRACT Recent large oil spills from tankers have reaffirmed the need for continuing technology assessment and research to improve oil-spill response capabilities. The Minerals Management Service (MMS) remains a lead agency in conducting these studies. This paper discusses MMS concerns, as reinforced by the acceleration of its research program in 1990. It briefly assesses the current state-of-the-art technology for major aspects of spill response, including remote sensing, open-ocean containment, recovery, in-situ burning, chemical treating agents, beach-line cleanup, and oil behavior. The paper reports on specific research projects that have begun to yield information that will improve detection and at-sea equipment performance. The first detection project, for which MMS has patent pending, involves the use of shipboard navigational radar to track slicks at relatively long range. The second project involves the use of conventional containment and cleanup in a downwind mode, which is contrary to the traditional procedures. The paper also discusses current research projects, including the development of an airborne, laser-assisted fluorosensor that can determine whether apparent slicks contain oil. Additional projects involve the development of improved strategies for responding to oil in broken-ice conditions, for gaining an improved understanding of the fate and behavior of spilled oil as it affects response strategies, and for reopening and operating the oil and hazardous materials simulated environmental test tank (OHMSETT) facility in Leonardo, New Jersey. Recent progress on the development of safe and environmentally acceptable strategies to burn spilled oil in-situ is also discussed. The OHMSETT facility is necessary for testing prospective improvements in chemical treating agents and to develop standard procedures for testing and evaluating response equipment.

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PROPERTIES OF CRUDE OIL AND OIL PRODUCTS (NOT JUST ANOTHER PRETTY DATABASE)

International Oil Spill Conference Proceedings ◽

10.7901/2169-3358-2001-2-975 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 2001 (2) ◽

pp. 975-981 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Paula Jokuty

Keyword(s):

Oil Spill ◽

Oil Spills ◽

Health And Safety ◽

Oil Products ◽

Crude Oils ◽

The Media ◽

Ease Of Access ◽

Complex Relationships ◽

The Many ◽

Spilled Oil

ABSTRACT When an oil spill occurs, there is an immediate need on the part of spill responders to know the properties of the spilled oil, as these will affect the behavior, fate, and effects of the oil, which will in turn affect the choice of countermeasures. However, it is often difficult or impossible to obtain a sample of the spilled oil, let alone the specialized analysis required to determine its properties, in a manner timely enough to suit the circumstances of an oil spill. Under the scrutiny of the media and the public, answers regarding the identity and predicted behavior of the spilled oil will be expected immediately, if not sooner. In preparation for such emergencies, the Emergencies Science Division (ESD) of Environment Canada has been collecting properties data for crude oils and oil products since 1984. Basic physical properties—density, viscosity, pour point, etc.—and environmentally relevant characteristics—evaporation rates, emulsion formation, chemical dispersibility—are measured. Properties related to health and safety—flash point, volatile organic compounds, sulfur—also are determined. In fact, nearly 20 different types of measurements are made for both fresh and weathered crude oils and oil products. To date data has been collected for more than 400 oils. For ease of access, this information is stored in an electronic database. The database in turn is accessible via the World Wide Web, and is also periodically printed in an easy-to-read catalogue format. The wide variety of data collected in the database also makes it possible to examine both simple and complex relationships that may exist between oil properties and spill behavior. This presentation will review the full scope of information determined and collected by ESD. Using tables and graphs, examples will be presented of the many ways in which this information can be viewed and used by both laymen and experts in the field of oil spills.

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