OIL SPILL PREPAREDNESS IN A TROPICAL OFFSHORE AREA
ABSTRACT The systematic process by which an oil spill preparedness plan was developed for SSB/SSPC operations in the South China Sea used local wind, current, and weather data in a SLIKTRAK model adapted to estimate the spill costs and risks resulting from a well blowout. The model shows that the Sabah and Philippines shores would be likely to be affected, while the Brunei and Sarawak shores have a low probability. The minimum period in which oil will arrive at any shore is three days after the spill. February to early August are likely months in which a spill will arrive at a shoreline. Spills from late August to January are expected to move away from the coast. Mechanical recovery of spilled oil and chemical dispersant spraying from boats is effective from March to September while natural dispersion is enhanced from September to February. The local environmental data and local availability of vessels and resources greatly influence the choice of mechanical cleanup equipment. An ecological marine macrobenthos survey has been carried out in the Sabah and Sarawak coastal waters. The fundamental aim of the program is to develop quantitative data on the current status of selected marine macrobenthic communities in these areas. This data could be used as a reference for comparison against any future surveys so that any environmental effects or modification resulting from oil spills may be assessed. A coastal resources study along the Sarawak coast also was being carried out to determine sensitive areas in order to prioritise the allocation of available oil spill control equipment and resources. Finally, the roles and development of Shell oil spill cooperatives in this region have been based on the tier concept. Under this concept, SSB/SSPC would be primarily responsible for its own spill as the first tier. It is complemented on a reciprocal basis by close cooperation with Brunei Shell as the second tier. The third tier involves the cooperation of the Shell Companies in Southeast Asia—the ROSE scheme.