scholarly journals HASBAH 6: OIL COMPANIES RESPONSE TO OIL POLLUTION IN THE ARABIAN GULF

1983 ◽  
Vol 1983 (1) ◽  
pp. 371-375
Author(s):  
P. Bernard Ryan
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Oil Spill ◽  
Pollution Control ◽  
Oil Pollution ◽  
Arabian Gulf ◽  
Coastal Areas ◽  
Mutual Aid ◽  
Oil Companies ◽  
National Environment

ABSTRACT The Hasbah 6 well offshore Saudi Arabia blew out on October 2, 1980 and remained out of control for ten days. The oil which escaped from the well during this period formed a large slick which drifted southeast down the gulf, threatening the coastal areas of all states south of the blowout site. Oil spill countermeasures were mounted by several oil companies in the region either on their own initiative or upon direction from their respective states’ governments in attempts to minimize the adverse effects of the spill. All of the oil companies known to be involved in responding to the oil spill were members of the Gulf Area Oil Companies Mutual Aid Organization (GAOCMAO), an organization formed in 1972 to promote cooperation among oil companies in the Arabian Gulf for oil pollution control and cleanup in the region. The Hasbah 6 incident served to demonstrate the value of GAOCMAO in facilitating cooperative responses by member companies to a common pollution hazard and highlighted many of the problems likely to be encountered in mounting a spill cleanup operation of this magnitude in a restricted and multi-national environment such as the Arabian Gulf.

GAOCMAO—INDUSTRY'S APPROACH TO COOPERATIVE SPILL RESPONSE IN THE ARABIAN GULF

1985 ◽  
Vol 1985 (1) ◽  
pp. 607-613
Author(s):  
P. Bernard Ryan ◽  
Derek J. S. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil Pollution ◽  
Marine Pollution ◽  
Arabian Gulf ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Mutual Aid ◽  
Gulf Region ◽  
Oil Companies ◽  
Oil Spill Response ◽  
Response Capability

ABSTRACT In 1972, a group of oil companies operating in the western half of the Arabian Gulf came together to form an organization for the purpose of improving their capability to combat oil pollution. The companies sought to establish a joint oil spill response capability, not by setting up a separate, operational response group like other more conventional cooperatives, but instead by utilizing the principle of mutual assistance in times of need. The resulting organization, kown as the Gulf Area Oil Companies Mutual Aid Organisation (GAOCMAO), has proved its effectiveness in several major oil pollution incidents over its twelve years of existence and has gained recognition as a credible and responsible representative of the oil industry's views on matters relating to marine pollution in the Gulf region. Subsequent to the establishment of GAOCMAO, environmental awareness in the Gulf area generally has increased very significantly. Regional and state organizations have been set up by the various Gulf states' governments to monitor the environmental effects of industry of all kinds, including oil, and to develop appropriate control measures. To some extent, these changes have been reflected in an expansion of GAOCMAO's interests to areas outside those purely of oil spill response, but the primary commitment to joint response capability through mutual aid has not diminished. This paper describes the history and development of GAOCMAO since its formation, examines the manner in which it functions, and describes some of the incidents to which it has responded. The growing interaction between GAOCMAO and the various national and regional environmental groups in the Gulf area is examined and an attempt made to put into perspective the relative responsibilities, in terms of oil spill response, of the Gulf area's oil companies and the corresponding governmental organizations.

Oil pollution and fisheries

1982 ◽  
Vol 297 (1087) ◽  
pp. 401-411 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Oil Pollution ◽  
Coastal Areas ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Fish Stocks ◽  
Local Impacts ◽  
Reduced Water ◽  
Long Term Adverse Effects

The term ‘pollution’ is taken in its broadest sense and effects are recognized to be due to interference, tainting and toxicity. Each of these types of impact is discussed and assessed. It is concluded that no long-term adverse effects on fish stocks can be attributed to oil but that local impacts can be extremely damaging in the short term and that produce from specific localities can be tainted and unmarketable for long periods. In some coastal areas oil can be one among several contributors to reduced water quality, and the implications of this are discussed.

scholarly journals Using Sorbents for Oil Spill Clean-Up in Ports and Coastal Areas

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 113-117
Author(s):  
Włodzimierz Kończewicz ◽  
Sylwia Polasz ◽  
Kinga Rogowska
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Aquatic Environment ◽  
Oil Pollution ◽  
Coastal Areas ◽  
Wood Products ◽  
Inorganic Materials ◽  
Peat Moss ◽  
Oil Retention ◽  
Rate Of Absorption ◽  
Characteristic Features

AbstractPetroleum substances are a mixture of many hydrocarbons of various structures; some of them are toxic for marine organisms. In case of pollution of the aquatic environment, these compounds may enter seawater organisms and adversely affect gas exchange and inhibit photosynthesis. Therefore, it is important to take measures to reduce the emissions of these compounds into the aquatic environment and quickly to remove possible spills of uncontrolled pollution. Sorbents are materials that soak up oil from water. They are best suited for the absorption of oil – derived substances. They are used to absorb leaks in open and closed tanks, particularly in hard – to-reach places. Sorbents can be natural organic, natural inorganic or synthetic. Natural sorbents are divided to organic materials such as peat moss or wood products, and inorganic materials such as vermiculite or clay. Sorbents are available in a loose form, which includes granules, powder, chunks and cubes. Synthetic sorbents are used to wipe other oil spill recovery equipment such as skimmers and booms after a spill clean-up operation. The thesis deals with the issues related to the analysis of the possibility of using sorbents to combat oil pollution in port and coastal areas. The article discusses the types of pollution occurring in coastal waters, as well as the types of sorbents used and the forces and measures to combat pollution. The characteristic features of sorbents are rate of absorption and adsorption, oil retention and ease of application. Absorption tests were carried out and the best sorbents for combating oil pollution were selected.

Appropriate Technology for Oil Spill Management in Developing Nations

1999 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 203-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. C. Wayment ◽  
B. Wagstaff
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil Pollution ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Developing Nations ◽  
Appropriate Technology ◽  
Limited Resources ◽  
Mutual Aid ◽  
Local Resources ◽  
Contingency Plans ◽  
Considerable Impact

It has been estimated that some 6 million tonnes of crude oil is routinely transported by tankship around the world's oceans on a daily basis. Despite the introduction of stringent operating and safety regimes there remains the possibility of an incident occurring that could threaten the waters and shorelines of countries that are in the vicinity of these routes. Shipboard and international contingency plans assume a level of preparedness which may be limited in some of the countries that lay along these shipping lanes.Although the probability of significant oil pollution incidents occurring whilst the vessel is on the high seas is m minimal, they have occurred, some with considerable impact on the areas concerned. Whilst the majority of countries have some form of mutual aid and agreements in place and a number have access to equipment stockpiles, there are still a significant number of areas where there is heavy reliance on local resources. This paper addresses ways in which countries with limited resources can best be prepared for an oil spill and some of the challenges, which this entails.

The Oil Pollution act of 1990: Key Provisions and Implications

1991 ◽  
Vol 1991 (1) ◽  
pp. 695-697
Author(s):  
David M. Bovet ◽  
Charles R. Corbett
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Oil Pollution ◽  
Contingency Planning ◽  
State Governments ◽  
Financial Responsibility ◽  
Oil Companies ◽  
Oil Transportation ◽  
National Response ◽  
New Construction

ABSTRACT The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 establishes a system of oil spill liability, compensation and financial responsibility at levels not contemplated prior to the Exxon Valdez incident. Furthermore, it does so while preserving states’ prerogatives and rejects the international solution embodied in the 1984 Protocols to the 1969 Civil Liability and 1971 Fund Conventions. The act requires new contingency planning by both industry and government and sets new construction, manning, and licensing requirements. It increases penalties, broadens enforcement responsibilities of the federal government, and enhances states’ participation in the national response program. It also establishes a billion dollar federal trust fund to supplement the liability of responsible parties. The act is likely to result in safer tanker operations and to reduce the threat of oil spills in U.S. waters. These environmental improvements will be paid for by U.S. oil consumers. Other implications include the following:Reassessment of involvement in U.S. oil transportation by both independents and oil majorsEnhanced preparedness by responsible partiesA gradual rise in freight ratesCorporate restructuring to shield liabilityFewer small oil companies and independent carriers in U.S. tradesPotential disruptions linked to new certificates of financial responsibilityPotential shortages of Alaskan trade tonnageHeightened presence of state governments in oil spill incidents, oil spill legislation, and enforcement

Oil Spill Response Training and Exercises in Norway: Are We Prepared?1

2001 ◽  
Vol 2001 (1) ◽  
pp. 617-622 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johan Marius Ly
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Pollution Control ◽  
Oil Pollution ◽  
Exercise Programs ◽  
Response Training ◽  
Oil Spill Response ◽  
Control Authority ◽  
Governmental Funding

ABSTRACT The Norwegian Pollution Control Authority (SFT) is responsible for coordinating a national contingency system against oil pollution in Norway. As part of this responsibility, SFT has conducted training and exercises for the private, municipal, and governmental contingency organizations for more than 20 years. This paper presents the current oil spill response preparedness in Norway and outlines different training and exercise programs adapted to the various levels of responsibility and the geographical areas of response. Furthermore, some of the issues and challenges faced by the reduction of governmental funding for training and exercises are discussed.

COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN OIL SPILL CLEAN-UP EXERCISE: A CASE STUDY OF RUMUEKPE PK 26.5 OIL SPILL, NIGER DELTA, NIGERIA1

2005 ◽  
Vol 2005 (1) ◽  
pp. 825-829
Author(s):  
Charles Mrabure ◽  
Patrick Ngene
Keyword(s):  
Natural Resources ◽  
Oil Spill ◽  
Niger Delta ◽  
Oil Pollution ◽  
Aquatic Life ◽  
Oil Companies ◽  
The People ◽  
Exploration And Production ◽  
Polluted Sites ◽  
Ecological Landscape

ABSTRACT Crude oil exploration and production in Niger Delta area of Nigeria started over fifty (50) years ago, and had brought with it several cases of oil pollution which as well as other human activities have resulted in devastation of the ecological landscape leading to depletion of natural resources, a source of livelihood for the indigenous people. Due to the stress/hardship occasioned by depletion of natural resources such as fishes, other aquatic life, Land etc, the people have evolved from peace loving to hostile communities. They have embarked on several protests and kidnappings, the oil companies being primary target in all cases. Working in this area became a risk for the companies. Clean up of polluted sites thus became an almost impossible activity; initiating dialogue with the people became a herculean task because of lack of mutual trust. In the case of PK26.5 oil spill clean up, several fruitful efforts were made to dialogue with the people, and this resulted in a partnership that saw Elf Petroleum Nigeria Ltd and her Contractor clean up an oil polluted site in this volatile region to the satisfaction of Regulatory authorities. Of the forty-four workers, forty (40) were from the community.

scholarly journals Assessment of risks of occurrence and consequences of oil spill in the area of the Cheboksary river port

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 219-230
Author(s):  
Andrey E. Plastinin ◽  
Olga L. Domnina ◽  
Vasily N. Zakharov ◽  
Ayrat M. Safarov
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Modeling ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Oil Spill ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Oil Pollution ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Soil Air ◽  
Emergency Situations

Due to the significant number of oil spill incidents, spill forecasting plays an important role in developing plans for their prevention and response. In this article, the authors propose an analysis of the risk of oil pollution from ships in the region of the Cheboksary river port. The analysis was performed by determining the frequency of oil spills in the vicinity of the specified port, assessing the consequences (losses) and summarizing the estimates. At the same time, using mathematical modeling of oil spills in the region of the Cheboksary river port, the authors developed regression models for assessing damaging factors and calculated the size of the damage to the components of the environment (water, soil, air). The results of the studies performed in this work can be used in the development of measures to prevent or reduce the adverse effects of emergency situations, taking into account the natural and climatic conditions.

MARYLAND'S EXPERIENCE IN OIL SPILL PREVENTION AND CONTROL

1975 ◽  
Vol 1975 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-55
Author(s):  
Henry Silbermann ◽  
Edwin C. Weber
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Oil Spill ◽  
Pollution Control ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Oil Pollution ◽  
Control Program ◽  
The State ◽  
Oil Spill Response ◽  
Spill Control ◽  
And Control

ABSTRACT An existing spill prevention and response program is described utilizing staff of the state Water Resources Administration to enforce explicit oil pollution control laws and regulations, provide response to and assistance in oil spill containment and cleanup, and foster spill prevention attitudes and techniques. Special equipment designed and constructed by agency staff is detailed. Legislative history, state laws and regulations on oil spill prevention, and the Maryland oil industry are described as introduction to the spill prevention and control program itself. Emphasis is placed on spill prevention, based on the slogan, “The best oil pollution control is the spill that never happened.” Maryland petroleum industry representatives are directly involved in this program. With industry support, the state enacted in 1972 legislation establishing a schedule of licenses and license fees for oil terminal facilities, which must have an adequate spill control program. The Maryland Oil Disaster Containment, Cleanup and Contingency Fund is supported by license fees charged on an annual basis on oil storage facilities with storage capability greater than 3,000 barrels. The fees produce approximately $250,000 a year for use in spill prevention, control, and cleanup measures. Using a small staff, the Maryland Water Resources Administration has established an oil spill response program complete with (a) 24-hour, seven-day-a-week response capability to spills of oil and other hazardous materials, (b) construction and development of specially equipped oil spill control units, and (c) the stockpiling throughout the state of equipment and supplies for spill containment and removal. Local fire departments, which are mostly volunteer in the state, are an essential part of the oil spill response team. Other state agencies are also involved, with the total program coordinated by an oil spill coordinator and a staff of four.

PRIVATE SECTOR/GOVERNMENT COOPERATION DURING A BAHRAIN SPILL RESPONSE OPERATION

1995 ◽  
Vol 1995 (1) ◽  
pp. 963-964 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derek J. S. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Private Sector ◽  
Crude Oil ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Government Agencies ◽  
Mutual Aid ◽  
Oil Companies ◽  
Contingency Plan

ABSTRACT On November 23, 1993 a barge struck one of the undersea crude oil lines from Saudi Arabia to Bahrain. The resultant spill released approximately 4,000 bbl of crude into the sea and sensitive adjacent beach areas. The BAPCO oil spills contingency plan contains procedures for cooperation with appropriate private sector and government agencies and these were set in motion at once, coincident with company response. The Response Command Centre, immediately initiated a GAOCMAO (Gulf Area Oil Companies Mutual Aid Organization) alert. The Contribution of all these resources resulted in the cleanup being completed 10 days after the spill.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document