The Australian Oil Spill Response Atlas Project

2003 ◽  
Vol 2003 (1) ◽  
pp. 851-859
Author(s):  
Trevor Gilbert ◽  
Tracey Baxter ◽  
Alex Spence
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
System Development ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
Textual Data ◽  
Oil Spill Response ◽  
Environmentally Sensitive ◽  
Gis System ◽  
User Friendly ◽  
Automation Tools ◽  
Environmental Agencies

ABSTRACT Australia is among the top five shipping nations of the world based upon cargo and kilometres travelled. Australia also has vast, remote and environmentally sensitive coastlines ranging from tropical to subantarctic. Unfortunately shipping accidents and illegal discharges of oil and chemical pollutants into our marine environment do occur. To support spill response management in Australia, over the past four years the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has coordinated the development of a uniform and integrated national Oil Spill Response Atlas (OSRA) based upon an ArcView® geographic information system (GIS). The main aims of the OSRA project were to:Develop a mutually agreed national GIS specification for the development of the digital atlas to assure consistency and compatibility Australia wide;Fast track the collation, capture and conversion of all relevant geographical and textual data into a standard digital GIS format for the majority of Australia's marine and coastal environments (particularly for highly sensitive environments such as, world heritage areas, and marine parks and reserves); andCreate a user-friendly series of GIS system tools specially designed for the particular needs of spill response managers, operational staff and environmental agencies. This paper highlights some of the advantages of GIS based systems for spill response management, the OSRA system development and features, as well as the GIS automation tools that assist spill response managers and operational personnel.

TECHNOLOGY AND INTERACTIVE SOFTWARE FOR OIL SPILL PLANNING AND RESPONSE

1997 ◽  
Vol 1997 (1) ◽  
pp. 973-975
Author(s):  
Carl G. Kitz ◽  
Michael J. Szerlog ◽  
Sean M. Hyde
Keyword(s):  
Response Time ◽  
Oil Spill ◽  
Storage Capacity ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Digital Information ◽  
Interactive Software ◽  
Critical Information ◽  
Response Information ◽  
Oil Spill Response ◽  
User Friendly

ABSTRACT EPA Region X has combined the immense storage capacity of CD-ROMs with interactive software to develop a user-friendly tool to provide quick and easy access to digital information for use by oil spill response teams. These CD-ROMs, created specifically for spill planning and response, provide responders with hypertext links and powerful search capabilities allowing uncomplicated access to response information, regulations, nationally recognized standards, and area maps. This format enhances response time by reducing the time needed to access critical information and the volume of materials carried to the site by responders.

Massachusetts First Responder Exercises: Preparing Local Communities for Oil Spill Response

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 (1) ◽  
pp. 300125
Author(s):  
Richard Packard ◽  
Mike Popovich ◽  
John Stengel
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Homeland Security ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
First Responders ◽  
Coastal Resources ◽  
Incident Command ◽  
Sensitive Areas ◽  
Environmentally Sensitive Areas ◽  
Oil Spill Response ◽  
Environmentally Sensitive

As a result of the Buzzards Bay oil spill in 2003, and subsequent passage of the Oil Spill Act of 2004, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, through its Department of Environmental Protection's (MassDEP) Oil Spill Program, has developed a comprehensive, 3-tiered program to protect coastal resources. The program includes three elements: 1) the development of 160 Geographic Response Plans (GRP) to protect environmentally sensitive areas, 2) the acquisition and distribution of 83 oil spill response equipment trailers to coastal communities and, 3) the development of a training and exercise program to better prepare local first responders, including fire departments, police departments, harbormasters and other town officials, to respond to oil spills that threaten environmentally sensitive areas in their communities. This training and exercise program has increased first responders competency and skills as they relate to oil spill response resulting in a higher degree of readiness and preparedness amongst first responders throughout coastal Massachusetts. The program follows standard Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation protocols with clearly defined goals and objectives. Each exercise includes personnel from multiple municipalities working together to achieve the common goal of protecting coastal resources. The objectives of each exercise include, 1) foster inter-agency planning and coordination by providing the opportunity for local responders to work with each other and with Federal and State responders. 2) deploy a GRP protective booming tactic during a simulated incident, 3) promote resource coordination among local responders by coordinating use of assets from participating towns and agencies, 4) improve local oil spill preparedness by deploying equipment from pre-positioned trailers, providing participants hands-on experience in the field, and 5) evaluate the effectiveness of the booming tactic and identify any modifications necessary. Participants utilize the Incident Command System (ICS), operating within a Unified Command structure, testing their ability to effectively communicate goals, objectives and tactics.

Brazil Case Study - Tactical Response Plans and Voo's Program - A New Approach to Shoreline Protection Preparedness

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-25
Author(s):  
Lucas Fantinato ◽  
Adriano Ranierin ◽  
Pedro Martins ◽  
Gustavo Lutz
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Response Strategies ◽  
Shoreline Protection ◽  
Environmentally Sensitive Areas ◽  
Oil Spill Response ◽  
Environmentally Sensitive ◽  
Definition Of

ABSTRACT In the past, Brazilian Oil Spill Response Plans focused on the definition of response strategies in offshore environments, but were insufficient when it came to shoreline protection. After the occurrence of major oil spill accidents around the world and events of great repercussion in Brazil and with the intensification of oil and gas E&P activities in locations close to the coast and near environmentally sensitive areas in the country (such as Camamu-Almada and the Jequitinhonha basin), the need for additional nearshore response studies became of the utmost importance. Recently developed documents address the environmental characterization of the coast and indicate the appropriate response strategies, but a more action-oriented approach is needed. For that purpose, based on the best practices in shoreline protection worldwide, a methodology is being implemented so as to provide consistent preparedness support for the protection of nearshore resources. The methodology uses the Brazilian licensing mandatory documents in order to identify the appropriate level of protection preparedness for each of the vulnerable segments of shoreline within the domain of the E&P activity. Once the proper level of preparedness has been identified, the method indicates how to attain such result by presenting a set of tools, such as: TRP (Tactical Response Plan), VoOs (Vessel of Oportunity) Program, Advances Bases and Full Deployment Exercises. This paper provides an overview of the methodology, followed by a case study in Brazil which helps illustrate how the level of preparedness is determined and how the proposed tools help achieve such result. Therefore, it allows assessing the effectiveness of this new approach in the country. Considering Brazil's growing E&P potential, the long extent of its coastline and the abundance of sensitive resources alongshore, the methodology should be applied to other E&P projects developed in the country.

REVIEW OF BRAZILIAN REGULATION FOR FACILITY OIL SPILL RESPONSE PLANNING

2008 ◽  
Vol 2008 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-21
Author(s):  
Alvaro Souza Junior
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Public Hearing ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
Oil Platforms ◽  
Response Planning ◽  
National Environment ◽  
Oil Spill Response ◽  
Environmental Agencies

ABSTRACT In April 2002, the Brazilian National Environment Council (CONAMA) enacted Resolution 293, which defines the contents and requirements for oil spill response plans for ports, terminals, pipelines and oil platforms. CONAMA Resolution 293 was undoubtedly a landmark in the history of Brazilian planning and preparedness for oil spill accidents as long as it provided a technically consistent reference for elaboration of oil spill response plans based on the identification of spill sources, vulnerability analysis of potentially affected areas, and adequate response organization, procedures and resources. A clause of the Resolution required its review in 5 years after entering into force. To accomplish this requirement, the Ministry of Environment (MMA) opened a public hearing process to collect comments and suggestions for changes. One main contributor in this hearing process was the Brazilian Petroleum and Gas Institute (IBP), which represents the oil and gas industry. IBP created an internal workgroup which discussed proposals for changes in CONAMA Resolution 293 that were subsequently sent to MMA. After the public hearing process, MMA invited a number of institutions to join a workgroup to discuss the received comments and proposed changes. In general, these institutions were mostly the same which participated in the CONAMA Resolution 293 workgroup five years before: IBAMA (federal environmental agency), Maritime Authority, Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Mines and Energy, AN? (oil & gas activities regulatory agency), IBP and some state environmental agencies. Proposed changes to CONAMA Resolution 293 were sent from the workgroup to one of the CONAMA technical chambers, which approved the proposal with minor amendments. The aim of this paper is to present and discuss the relevant changes in this regulation that will affect facility oil spill response plans in Brazil.

DESCRIPTION AND APPLICATION OF THE OPERATIONAL OIL SPILL FORECAST SYSTEM TESEO

2008 ◽  
Vol 2008 (1) ◽  
pp. 1023-1029
Author(s):  
ANA J. Abasca ◽  
Sonia Castanedo ◽  
A. David Gutierrez ◽  
Raul Medina ◽  
Inigo J. Losada ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Forecast System ◽  
System A ◽  
Oil Spill Response ◽  
Complete Set ◽  
Oceanographic Data ◽  
User Friendly

ABSTRACT In the framework of the ESEOO Project (Spanish Operational Oceanography System) a complete set of models has been developed to simulate oil spills transport and fate processes. These models have been integrated in a user friendly operational system called TESEO. The main objective of the TESEO system is to integrate the meteorological and oceanographic data as well as the oil properties data required by the oil spill model to provide the evolution of contaminating spills at a regional scale. The system is linked with the operational winds and currents forecast system and, consequently, is able to provide useful information to decision-makers in a crisis situation. The performance of TESEO system has been successfully tested during four operational oil spills exercises organized by the Spanish Maritime Safety and Rescue Agency (SASEMAR) with the collaboration of the ESEOO Group. In these exercises, the TESEO system was used to provide forecast spill trajectories and fate processes to decision-makers in real time. Detailed information regarding the operational requirements of the system and its utilization during the Finisterre-2006 exercise is presented in this paper. The Finisterre-2006 exercise, as well as the other operational exercises performed, shows the TESEO system'S capability as a useful tool in an oil spill response.

THE USE OF HOVERCRAFT FOR OIL SPILL RESPONSE

2005 ◽  
Vol 2005 (1) ◽  
pp. 619-621
Author(s):  
Mark Shepherd
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Caspian Sea ◽  
The Caspian Sea ◽  
Innovative Methods ◽  
Exploration And Production ◽  
Oil Spill Response ◽  
Ice Conditions ◽  
Environmentally Sensitive ◽  
Reed Bed ◽  
Operational Criteria

ABSTRACT Oil exploration and production operations have expanded in the shallow and environmentally sensitive waters in the northeast area of the Caspian Sea, calling for new and innovative methods for oil spill response countermeasures. Water depths as low as 0.6 metres and ice conditions for up to 5 months of the year, present severe planning and response challenges. Agip KCO is in the process of testing air-cushioned vehicles (ACVs)—also commonly referred to as hovercraft, for both Emergency Escape and Rescue (EER) and oil spill response operations. Two such ACVs were sited in the Caspian Sea during 2003 for trials. Tests included boom deployments, skimming operations and general operational criteria. Further trials are planned in 2004, to assess suitability for use within reed bed areas and their benefits over other, more conventional craft in this special operating environment. This paper describes the trials carried out 2003 and their results, together with a review of the issues that are to be addressed

Technology: Are We Using It To Its Best Advantage?

1999 ◽  
Vol 1999 (1) ◽  
pp. 837-838
Author(s):  
Carl G. Kitz
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Storage Capacity ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Digital Information ◽  
Interactive Software ◽  
Protection Agency ◽  
Response Information ◽  
Oil Spill Response ◽  
User Friendly

ABSTRACT U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region X has combined the immense storage capacity of CD-ROMs with interactive software to develop a user-friendly tool to provide quick and easy access to digital information for use by oil spill response teams. These CD-ROMs, created specifically for spill planning and response, provide responders with hypertext links and powerful search capabilities allowing uncomplicated access to response information, regulations, nationally recognized standards, and area maps. This format enhances response time by reducing the time needed to access critical information and the volume of materials carried to the site by responders. The CD disk produced contains the Region X Area contingency plan, and select reference materials such as the NCP, OPA 90, and digitized maps and color photographs.

scholarly journals Volunteers as an Integrated Part of the Oil Spill Response Capacity in Finland

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (1) ◽  
pp. 688700
Author(s):  
Emmi Rantavuo ◽  
Justiina Halonen ◽  
Teemu Niinimäki ◽  
Tytti Seppänen
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Nature Protection ◽  
Response Capacity ◽  
Response Measures ◽  
Oil Spill Response ◽  
Education Today ◽  
Governmental Institutions ◽  
Regional Authorities ◽  
Environmental Agencies ◽  
Voluntary Organisations

ABSTRACT: Responding to a major oil spill is a labour intensive operation and involves several governmental and regional authorities, agencies and voluntary organisations. In Finland, The Finnish Border Guard is the competent pollution response authority that conducts the response measures in the event of an oil spill on the open sea. The RFRSs are in charge of oil spill response operations both in coastal and inland waters. The environmental agencies assist the RFRSs in executing the response operation e.g. by providing expertise in nature protection prioritisation. Along with the authorities, several non-governmental institutions as well as voluntary organisations are involved. Especially the Voluntary Oil Spill Response Troops of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Finland are prepared to assist in responding to an oil spill contaminating shorelines. The response capability of the WWF voluntary troops is based on long-term training and pre-education. Today, the troops consist of over 9000 volunteers, 3000 of which have completed response training and can easily be integrated into an authority driven operation. The collaboration between authorities and volunteers is regularly tested by means of co-operation exercises and real spill response cases. This paper studies the collaboration framework of the voluntary troops and the RFRSs and the benefits of the pre-established system.

ONE-STEP OFFSHORE OIL SKIM AND BURN SYSTEM FOR USE WITH VESSELS OF OPPORTUNITY

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 (1) ◽  
pp. 1834-1845
Author(s):  
CHANGYONG ZHANG ◽  
TIM NEDWED ◽  
AMY TIDWELL ◽  
NICHOLAS URBANSKI ◽  
DAVID COOPER ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil Recovery ◽  
System Development ◽  
Combustion Efficiency ◽  
Direct Combustion ◽  
Combined Use ◽  
Oil Spill Response ◽  
One Step ◽  
Interim Storage ◽  
Offshore Oil

ABSTRACT Vessels of opportunity (VoOs), such as fish and shrimp boats, can be employed to aide offshore oil spill response operations. During the 2010 Macondo response, VoOs were utilized to collect surface slicks in booms, however, VoOs were not equipped to skim and recover the collected oil. Because of this, dedicated skimming vessels were directed to VoOs to skim and store the oil. This process is not very efficient as VoOs can often remain idle for long periods while waiting for dedicated skimming vessels to arrive and process the collected oil. The research presented here aims to improve the effectiveness of VoO operations through development of a one-step skim and burn system. The system under development is based on the combined use of oleophilic skimmers, which can recover oil and water mixtures capable of direct combustion. Our concept would be for a VoO to collect oil in the booms, skim the oil from the booms using an oleophilic skimmer, and then pump the recovered mixture to a floating combustion system located downwind without the need for large volumes of interim storage or decanting. The three primary objectives for system development and design are to 1) improve combustion efficiency, thereby reducing environmental impacts; 2) achieve burn rates comparable to oil recovery rates of the oleophilic skimmers utilized, enabling more efficient oil spill response operations and less down-time; and 3) design a relatively simple and robust system that will enable safe burn operations. Experimental results from initial testing of small and medium scale burning systems will be presented. Direct combustion of skimmed oil was successfully demonstrated. Further, burns were completed with decreased smoke generation and burn residue compared to in situ burning.

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