Science supporting Gulf of Mexico oil-spill response, mitigation, and restoration activities-Assessment, monitoring, mapping, and coordination

Texas produces nearly twice and much oil as the next highest producing U.S. state and has approximately 3300 miles of sensitive jurisdictional shoreline boarding the second highest area of our nation's oil production, the Gulf of Mexico. It is home to over 27 operating refineries and hosts 3 of the top 10 busiest ports in the nation. Since 1991, the Texas General Land Office (TGLO) has built an oil spill prevention and response program that is arguably the premier state oil spill program in the nation; one that responds 24/7 to over 600 reported spills per year, certifies, audits and inspects over 600 oil handling facilities, administers an abandoned vessel removal program, an oily bilge facility program, and has an ongoing oil spill R&D program and its own state Scientific Support Coordinator, ensuring that prevention, planning and response activities are state of the science. The TGLO produces the Texas Oil Spill Toolkit, now in its 17th edition, which is a spill planning and response resource for the western Gulf of Mexico, and houses a collection of plans and documents in a single, easy to use online/off-line .html format. Plans include up-to-date Area Committee Plans (ACP) and pre-planning documents, all aligned with the National Response Framework (NRF). Included are Regional Response Team VI (RRT) documents and guidance, pre-authorization plans and mapping for alternative spill response, Priority Protection Areas (PPA), Environmental Sensitivity Index Maps (ESI), and site specific Geographic Response Plans (GRP). This paper describes the conception, history and evolution of the building and operation of a state response organization in an era of “less government”.

Download Full-text

Current and Proposed Efforts to Resolve HSPD-5 and NCP Authorities (NIC and PFO)

International Oil Spill Conference Proceedings ◽

10.7901/2169-3358-2021.1.690703 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 (1) ◽

Author(s):

LCDR John LaMorte ◽

LT Rebecca Brooks

Keyword(s):

Gulf Of Mexico ◽

Oil Spill ◽

National Guard ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Coast Guard ◽

Oil Well ◽

Environmental Disasters ◽

Oil Spill Response ◽

Oil Rig ◽

Exercise And Training

ABSTRACT During the evening of 20 April, 2010 U.S. Coast Guard District Eight Command Center watch standers received a report of an explosion aboard the Deepwater Horizon (DWH), an oil rig working on the Macondo oil well approximately 42 miles Southeast of Venice, LA (OSC Report, 2011). The explosion on board the DWH and resulting fires eventually destroyed the oil rig and caused it to sink into the Gulf of Mexico. Eleven crewmembers lost their lives in the tragic events that unfolded that night, and one of the nation's largest environmental disasters would soon follow. Estimates of the oil discharged from the Macondo oil well were between 12,000 and 25,000 barrels per day, and the response involved approximately 47,000 oil spill response personnel, 6,870 vessels, approximately 4.12 million feet of boom, and 17,500 National Guard personnel, five states (OSC Report, 2011). The massive oil spill lasted 87 days and estimates suggest that more than 200 million gallons of oil was discharged into the Gulf of Mexico, which stands as the largest oil spill event in U.S. history. From these massive response operations came important lessons learned for SONS event planning, preparedness, and response, as it became apparent during DWH response operations that oil spill response governance and doctrine was not well understood across the whole-of-government. This issue was well documented in the National Incident Commander's report and several recommendations were identified to address this issue. This paper will explore the steps taken within the U.S. Coast Guard's (USCG) SONS Exercise and Training Program to promote a better understanding of oil spill response governance and doctrine among Cabinet-level senior leadership and the interagency representatives that will ultimately be involved when the next SONS event happens.

Download Full-text

Summary of Findings and Research Recommendations from the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative

Oceanography ◽

10.5670/oceanog.2021.128 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 34 (1) ◽

pp. 228-239

Author(s):

Charles Wilson ◽

◽

Michael Feldman ◽

Michael Carron ◽

Nilde Dannreuther ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gulf Of Mexico ◽

Oil Spill ◽

Scientific Work ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Future Research ◽

Research Fields ◽

Research Initiative ◽

Response Measures ◽

Oil Spill Response ◽

High Level

Following the Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill in 2010, the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI) was established to improve society’s ability to understand, respond to, and mitigate the impacts of petroleum pollution and related stressors of the marine and coastal ecosystems. This article provides a high-level overview of the major outcomes of the scientific work undertaken by GoMRI. This initiative contributed to significant knowledge advances across the physical, chemical, geological, and biological oceanographic research fields, as well as in related technology, socioeconomics, human health, and oil spill response measures. For each of these fields, this paper outlines key advances and discoveries made by GoMRI scientists (along with a few surprises), synthesizing their efforts in order to highlight lessons learned, future research needs, remaining gaps, and suggestions for the next generation of scientists.

Download Full-text

TRACKING BUOYS FOR OIL SPILLS

International Oil Spill Conference Proceedings ◽

10.7901/2169-3358-1995-1-3 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 1995 (1) ◽

pp. 3-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Ron H. Goodman ◽

Debra Simecek-Beatty ◽

Don Hodgins

Keyword(s):

Gulf Of Mexico ◽

Oil Spill ◽

Oil Spills ◽

Positioning Errors ◽

Response Planning ◽

Time Period ◽

Different Types ◽

Oil Spill Response ◽

And Training ◽

Selection Of

ABSTRACT The use of tracking buoys in oil spill response, planning, and training and criteria for the selection of these buoys were studied in conjunction with an experiment conducted in the Gulf of Mexico during March 1994 on the relative motions of several oil spill drifter buoys. For the test, wood chips and cottonseed hulls were used to simulate the motion of the oil. Six different types of buoys and three different positioning and tracking systems, in various combinations, were tested. The first day of the program was conducted in Galveston Bay, the second in the Gulf of Mexico off Galveston. Significant differences were noted in the movements of the various buoys. Analysis of the data from these experiments suggests that tracking of the buoys should occur for a longer time period than in the experiments in order to reduce the influence of positioning errors.

Download Full-text

Integrated Ocean Observing Systems as a source of scientific information for supporting oil spill response – From Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of Guinea

International Oil Spill Conference Proceedings ◽

10.7901/2169-3358-2017.1.291 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2017 (1) ◽

pp. 291-310

Author(s):

Babatunde Anifowose ◽

CJ Beegle-Krause ◽

Zdenka Willis ◽

Josie Quintrell ◽

Idris Musa

Keyword(s):

Gulf Of Mexico ◽

Oil Spill ◽

The United States ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Global Ocean ◽

Gulf Of Guinea ◽

Oil Spill Response ◽

Ocean Observing ◽

Ocean Observing Systems ◽

Observing Systems

ABSTRACT As of 2013, the Gulf of Guinea produces about 5.5 million barrels of oil per day – more than 60% of the total daily crude oil production in sub-Saharan Africa. Potential oil spills and their impact on the environment and the economy are of concern. As was seen in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010, information from the United States Integrated Ocean Observing Systems (IOOS®) was key in the response. A robust IOOS-like system in the Gulf of Guinea could support oil spill response and enhance the existing Global Ocean Observing System for Africa (GOOS for Africa). There is great potential within the Gulf of Guinea for regional stakeholder resources to coordinate systematic metocean and coastal data, and share these data across the West, Central and Southern African countries. Through such coordinated efforts, the society benefits from the development of a “blue economy” and from improved disaster response more than from individual observations. Drawing from the examples in the Gulf of Mexico, the paper integrates the lessons from IOOS types of assets into useful response efforts for the Gulf of Guinea area. Responders, decision makers, scientists and the public all benefit from improved access to environmental information and forecasts. We include a “mock up” of how an IOOS asset would support scientific spill response in the Gulf of Guinea.

Download Full-text

CAN OIL SPILL RESPONSE PLANS BE FUNCTIONAL AND REGULATORY COMPLIANT?

International Oil Spill Conference Proceedings ◽

10.7901/2169-3358-2014.1.1846 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 (1) ◽

pp. 1846-1858

Author(s):

Martin Cramer ◽

Bridget O’Farrell-Villareal ◽

Guy Miller ◽

Niell Irvin ◽

Phil Smith ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gulf Of Mexico ◽

Oil Spill ◽

Task Force ◽

Regulatory Compliance ◽

General Information ◽

Guidance Document ◽

Effective Response ◽

Oil Companies ◽

Response Planning ◽

Oil Spill Response

ABSTRACT In the event of an oil spill, rapid and effective response actions are the key to minimizing impacts to the environment and local communities. Consequently, oil spill response plans (OSRPs) should be prepared in a user friendly format that maximizes access to crucial information and focuses on the critical first few hours or days of a response. While existing OSRPs are generally adequate, they typically are not organized logically and contain fairly general information that focuses on the overall response rather than the initial stages. For many plan holders the primary, or in some cases the only, objective when preparing OSRPs is obtaining regulatory approval and believe there is little latitude in deviating from the format or content of previously approved plans to make them more functional. Following the 2010 Macondo incident in the Gulf of Mexico, the American Petroleum Institute (API) sponsored Joint Industry Task Force (JITF) identified the need to enhance the usefulness of OSRPs. A workgroup was convened consisting of representatives from integrated and independent oil companies and spill response planning consultants to develop a guidance document for preparing OSRPs that are highly functional and regulatory compliant. The JITF guidance document includes a detailed OSRP outline that provides the intended purpose and recommended content and format for each section. The primary features include:Information presented in the general order required when responding to an oil spillFocus is on the first 24 hours when guidance is needed the mostKey information is provided in tabular or graphical formats at the front of each sectionInitial responder health and safety issues are addressed that are often missing in OSRPsSimilar information is located in the same section to avoid searching multiple sectionsMore expansive and detailed information, response guidance and specific cleanup strategies are referenced, as appropriate, in other documents The guidelines were designed to be Gulf of Mexico centric with the concepts being applicable to all industry sectors and regions of the world. Similar to the Integrated Contingency Plan concept developed in 1996, they can be adapted to comply with multiple oil spill planning regulations. They were, however, designed specifically to comply with the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) 30 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 254 and Notice to Lessees NTL 2012-N06. The draft guidelines were reviewed and well received by BSEE and the few regulatory compliance issues they identified were addressed in the final document. Therefore, it is possible to prepare OSRPs that are both functional and regulatory compliant.

Download Full-text

Progress in Operational Modeling in Support of Oil Spill Response

Journal of Marine Science and Engineering ◽

10.3390/jmse8090668 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (9) ◽

pp. 668

Author(s):

Christopher H. Barker ◽

Vassiliki H. Kourafalou ◽

CJ Beegle-Krause ◽

Michel Boufadel ◽

Mark A. Bourassa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gulf Of Mexico ◽

Oil Spill ◽

Ocean Circulation ◽

Research Initiative ◽

Modeling And Forecasting ◽

Oil Spill Modeling ◽

Oil Spill Response ◽

New Methodologies ◽

Application Protocols ◽

Operational Aspects

Following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon accident of a massive blow-out in the Gulf of Mexico, scientists from government, industry, and academia collaborated to advance oil spill modeling and share best practices in model algorithms, parameterizations, and application protocols. This synergy was greatly enhanced by research funded under the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI), a 10-year enterprise that allowed unprecedented collection of observations and data products, novel experiments, and international collaborations that focused on the Gulf of Mexico, but resulted in the generation of scientific findings and tools of broader value. Operational oil spill modeling greatly benefited from research during the GoMRI decade. This paper provides a comprehensive synthesis of the related scientific advances, remaining challenges, and future outlook. Two main modeling components are discussed: Ocean circulation and oil spill models, to provide details on all attributes that contribute to the success and limitations of the integrated oil spill forecasts. These forecasts are discussed in tandem with uncertainty factors and methods to mitigate them. The paper focuses on operational aspects of oil spill modeling and forecasting, including examples of international operational center practices, observational needs, communication protocols, and promising new methodologies.

Download Full-text

COMPARATIVE METHODOLOGIES FOR ESTIMATING ON-WATER RESPONSE COSTS FOR MARINE OIL SPILLS

International Oil Spill Conference Proceedings ◽

10.7901/2169-3358-2001-2-1281 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 2001 (2) ◽

pp. 1281-1289 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Dagmar Schmidt Etkin

Keyword(s):

Gulf Of Mexico ◽

San Francisco ◽

Oil Spill ◽

Cost Estimation ◽

Historical Data ◽

Oil Spills ◽

Marine Oil ◽

Oil Spill Response ◽

Marine Oil Spills ◽

Water Response

ABSTRACT This study reviews three alternative oil spill response cost estimation methodologies as applied to hypothetical spill scenarios in the Gulf of Mexico and San Francisco Bay, California: (1) a model derived from historical data on various spill factors that drive overall cleanup costs; (2) a method using U.S. Area Contingency Plan (ACP) spill scenario plans to estimate costs for mechanical containment and recovery costs to be extrapolated to other hypothetical spill scenarios; and (3) a method that estimates the labor and equipment required for mechanical containment and recovery operations and the resulting costs. A method for estimating dispersant costs is also discussed. The easy-to-use model derived from historical data is shown to be a good cost estimation tool.

Download Full-text