THE HASBAH 6 (SAUDI ARABIA) BLOWOUT: THE EFFECTS OF AN INTERNATIONAL OIL SPILL AS EXPERIENCED IN QATAR

1983 ◽  
Vol 1983 (1) ◽  
pp. 381-388
Author(s):  
Joseph A.C.M. van Oudenhoven
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Task Force ◽  
The State ◽  
Oil Well ◽  
Mutual Aid ◽  
Oil Companies ◽  
Oil Spill Response ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Neutrally Buoyant ◽  
Oil Company

ABSTRACT An oil well blowout in the Gulf lasted only eight days; however, the resultant oil spill threatened neighboring coasts for as long as two months. On windy days, nearly neutrally buoyant oil slicks approaching the Qatar coasts seemed to disappear, but they soon surfaced again whenever the weather improved. Qatar, suddenly faced with a very unusual spill, did not have an oil spill response plan. Throughout the emergency, therefore, valuable time was lost discussing the appropriate measures and setting protection priorities. Often, any understanding of the nature of the problems involved was lacking. Although most beaches became covered with the tar-like substance, a small task force from the state oil company, supported by a few foreign advisers, was able to protect all the important water intakes. Examples are given of how general principles were adapted to the specific local circumstances; for instance, lagoons were used to trap and handle the oil, and discarded SBM hoses served as breakwaters. To ensure an environmentally responsible cleaning operation, the few personnel available were provided with lists of “do's and don'ts.” The effectiveness of various approaches to dispose of collected oil is discussed. A framework for an oil spill contingency plan for Qatar has been developed and a government environmental committee set up. The oil companies’ mutual aid organization, put to the test, revealed weak areas, such as transboundary and communication problems, forcing the partners to review the organization. To enhance in-house response, the state oil company purchased spill-response equipment and is considering hands-on training of emergency crews. The valuable experience gained during this emergency should be used to improve future spill preparedness.

CAN OIL SPILL RESPONSE PLANS BE FUNCTIONAL AND REGULATORY COMPLIANT?

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.

SOFT SKILLS IN A HARD WORLD1

2005 ◽  
Vol 2005 (1) ◽  
pp. 119-121
Author(s):  
R A James
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Soft Skills ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
Oil Companies ◽  
Core Skills ◽  
The People ◽  
Oil Spill Response ◽  
New Recruits ◽  
Oil Company ◽  
Degree Level

ABSTRACT The focus of oil spill response organisations (OSROs) in their development activities, and through forums such as IOSC, tends to be on new equipment, innovative tools and better techniques for spill response. In the excitement about ‘things the people who actually deliver the spill response are often forgotten. Over the last decade oil companies have downsized and rightsized and are now hollowing out. As result, when an OSRO is called to support an oil company in a spill response there is a requirement for the OSRO to become more and more involved in the strategic management of the spill, with OSRO: client interfaces at a higher and higher level in the client organisation. The need for OSRO personnel to be well trained not just in a range of spill response techniques but also in a wide variety of ‘soft skills’ such as presentation, negotiation and influencing has never been more compelling. This paper reports developments at Oil Spill Response Ltd in the selection, training and development of spill responders to meet the increasing demands of our client companies. Core skills and different specialisms required of spill responders are defined and a modular, fast track, training programme is developed. The core skills and training programme are benchmarked across a range of major OSROs to set common, high, worldwide standards. The accreditation of this programme to offer a formal diploma qualification is further examined. Continuing education is a key theme of the paper, with senior spill responders offered a development opportunity in the training of new recruits, whereby they can become accredited trainers; whilst spill managers can convert the diploma qualification into a degree-level award.

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.

The Global Initiative for South East Asia

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 (1) ◽  
pp. 1375-1387 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joselito Guevarra
Keyword(s):  
East Asia ◽  
Oil Spill ◽  
East Asian ◽  
South East Asia ◽  
Mutual Aid ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Oil Companies ◽  
Response System ◽  
Oil Spill Response ◽  
Global Initiative

ABSTRACT The South East Asian region's risk for oil spills has been increasing for the past three decades. This is primarily due to the ever-increasing shipping traffic, especially tankers, bringing oil from the Middle East to customers mainly in China, Japan, Singapore and South Korea. Another factor is the growth in the exploration and production activities of international and domestic oil companies. Of particular relevance is the expansion of oil exploration into remote areas where oil spill response preparedness is very challenging. Through the years, the lack of credible legal frameworks and the disjointed approach have hampered the development of the critical elements of a robust oil spill response system such as national oil spill plans, training and exercise programs, ratification of the relevant international conventions, and mutual aid or bilateral agreements between neighboring countries. The Global Initiative for South East Asia (GI SEA), a collaborative effort between IPIECA and IMO (International Maritime Organization), aims to provide the governments of the Southeast Asian countries with the facility to work together with the oil industry to improve the state of oil spill preparedness and response. GI SEA is a direct response for a credible and effective oil spill preparedness and response system that takes into account each country's individual requirements and the region's needs. The Programme is built on the core principles of the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation (OPRC) and implemented by the combined efforts of government and industry. This paper will present information on the current state of preparedness of selected South East Asian countries and the region as a whole. It will also describe the process of the formation of the GI SEA, including the major challenges of achieving consensus, building support, funding, and developing the individual country plans to suit their needs. It is also the intention to discuss the current and future activities of GI SEA.

Contradiction of space, centralization of capital, and the hybrid state oil company: The case of Russia

2008 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 59-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mazen Labban
Keyword(s):  
Oil Industry ◽  
The State ◽  
State Control ◽  
Hybrid State ◽  
Oil Companies ◽  
National Oil Companies ◽  
Russian State ◽  
And Control ◽  
Oil Company ◽  
A New Species

A new species of capital has emerged from the development of inter-capitalist competition in the oil industry. Oil-producing states have fused with financial and productive/extractive capital, foreign and domestic, into hybrid state oil companies. These are centralized monopolies that transcend the historical geographical opposition between private transnational oil companies and national oil companies. As partially nationalized state monopolies, they allow oil-producing states access to global capital markets, while retaining the control of the state over the flow of foreign capital into the domestic oil industry. They thus mediate the contradiction between the integration of capital at the transnational level and its territorial fragmentation at the national scale, only to internalize it in the process. I examine this process in the case of the ongoing consolidation of the Russian oil industry under state control, focusing on two inter-related contradictions: an attempt by the Russian state to liberalize the oil industry, yet shield it against the expansion and control of foreign oil companies; and the dependence of the state on foreign financial capital in the very process of consolidating control over the oil industry.

OIL SPILL PREPAREDNESS: THE OIL INDUSTRY AND THE NATIONAL ARRANGEMENTS

1995 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 830
Author(s):  
D.J. Blackmore
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Oil Industry ◽  
State Governments ◽  
National Plan ◽  
Effective Response ◽  
Current State ◽  
Oil Spill Response ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Definition Of

It is vital that there is a credible and well organised arrangement to deal with oil spills in Australia.The National Plan to Combat Pollution of the Sea by Oil, the umbrella oil spill response plan for Australia, is a combined effort by the Commonwealth and State Governments, the oil industry and the shipping industry.The Australian Marine Oil Spill Centre (AMOSC), formed in 1991, is an industry centre set up for rapid response with equipment and resources, together with a training and industry coordination role.A review of the National Plan in 1992, identified, amongst a number of issues, that the National Plan needed to be re-focussed, to ensure full integration of all government and industry activities for the first time. This has led to greatly improved understanding between government and industry and significant improvements to Australia's oil spill response preparedness. The National Plan review has also resulted in a clearer definition of the responsibilities for operational control, together with the organisational structure to deliver a successful response.The current state of Australia's National Plan is such that it does provide confidence that there is the capacity to deliver an effective response to oil spills in the marine environment. Nevertheless, there is more to be done, particularly in the areas of planning and exercises.

RECENT ACTIVITIES OF THE PRIVATE OIL SPILL COOPERATIVE IN JAPAN

1989 ◽  
Vol 1989 (1) ◽  
pp. 247-252
Author(s):  
Naomichi Kusunoki ◽  
Takeo Saito
Keyword(s):  
Crude Oil ◽  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil Industry ◽  
Oil Companies ◽  
Set Up

ABSTRACT The grounding of the Juliana, a crude tanker, off the Niigata Port, in late November 1971, caused the first major oil spill in Japan, a spill of 7,200 kL (45,000 bbl) of Oman crude oil. The member companies of Petroleum Association of Japan (PAJ) hurriedly sent their oil booms and chemical dispersants to Niigata under the instructions of the headquarters set up in the secretariat of PAJ. This accident showed the oil industry the necessity of a nationwide network to supply oil cleanup equipment and materials in an emergency. In January 1973, a nationwide oil spill cooperative in Japan was initiated, with the agreement of 51 oil companies of PAJ. The organization of 47 branches covered all the Japan Islands, stretching about 3,000 km from Hokkaido to Okinawa. Each branch represents several petroleum facilities, a total of about 380. This oil spill cooperative has continued to act effectively. The utility of the arrangement has been proved clearly through provision of about 30 percent of the oil cleanup equipment and materials in Japan.

A COOPERATIVE APPROACH FOR MEASURING DIRECT-USE DAMAGES: THE 1992 AVILA BEACH (CALIFORNIA) OIL SPILL

1995 ◽  
Vol 1995 (1) ◽  
pp. 327-331
Author(s):  
Richard W. Dunford ◽  
Kristy E. Mathews ◽  
H. Spencer Banzhaf
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Oil Spill ◽  
Natural Resource ◽  
The State ◽  
Damage Estimation ◽  
Cooperative Approach ◽  
Shared Data ◽  
Reduced Costs ◽  
Oil Company ◽  
Direct Use

ABSTRACT A cooperative approach was used to estimate natural resource damages from the Avila Beach, California, spill. The approach was cooperative because we, on behalf of Union Oil Company of California (UNOCAL), and the economist working for the State of California shared data collection and damage estimation responsibilities. Cooperative assessments have several advantages, including reduced costs and less duplication. Because this case was not settled when this paper was submitted, we provide no damage estimates.

Personal Computer Oil Spill Response Model: Canadian Beaufort Sea

1991 ◽  
Vol 1991 (1) ◽  
pp. 607-618
Author(s):  
Katherine Jayko ◽  
Malcolm L. Spaulding ◽  
Eoin Howlett ◽  
Will Knauss ◽  
Tatsu Isaji ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Personal Computer ◽  
River Flow ◽  
Beaufort Sea ◽  
Distribution Data ◽  
Response Model ◽  
Fine Grid ◽  
Study Region ◽  
Oil Companies ◽  
Oil Spill Response

ABSTRACT An oil spill response model, configured for operation on a personal computer, was developed for the Canadian Beaufort Sea (in the Mackenzie Bay-Tuktoyaktuk Peninsula area) for a consortium of oil companies operating in the region. The spill model predicts the drift, spread, evaporation, dispersion, emulsification, and shoreline interaction of spilled oil in ice-infested waters. Wind conditions and ice distribution data are input by the user. Currents are provided by a three-dimensional, fine-grid hydrodynamic model of the study region forced by river flow and wind. The spill model allows the user to reinitialize the spill location based on observations and to simulate either instantaneous or continuous spill scenarios. The model predicts the spill's trajectory, the areal distribution of the oil slick, the oiled shoreline, and the oil mass balance as a function of time. Model output is provided on a color ink printer or a color graphics monitor.

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