THE IPIECA OIL SPILL WORKING GROUP 20:20 VISION REFLECTIONS AND PROJECTIONS ON OUR 20TH ANNIVERSARY

2008 ◽  
Vol 2008 (1) ◽  
pp. 1093-1095
Author(s):  
Bernie Bennett ◽  
Yvette Osikilo
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Working Group ◽  
Oil Pollution ◽  
Full Range ◽  
Petroleum Industry ◽  
Environmental Conservation ◽  
International Convention ◽  
Oil Spill Response ◽  
20Th Anniversary ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT The International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA) Oil Spill Working Group (OSWG) is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Its mission has been, through education, training and awareness initiatives, to enhance the state of preparedness and response to marine oil spill incidents in priority coastal locations around the world. Its programme is carried out in close cooperation with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and operates within the context of the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Cooperation (OPRC), 1990. The OSWG is made up of oil spill managers and specialists from IPIECA member companies and associations, supported by invited representatives from other organisations in the oil spill response community. It aims to ensure that the full range of industry interests is adequately reflected in its work programme. Coordination between these industry-based organisations and the IMO remains an essential ingredient in the success of the OSWG programme This paper reviews the main activities and achievements of the IPIECA OSWG over the last 20 years and attempt to illustrate and measure the impact of its work on global oil spill preparedness. We then hypothesize as to how the work of the IPIECA OSWG might develop over the next 20 years, which could serve as future strategic/planning guidance.

Oil Spill Risks and the State of Preparedness in the Regional Seas

2003 ◽  
Vol 2003 (1) ◽  
pp. 919-922 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.H. Moller ◽  
F.C. Molloy ◽  
H.M. Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Oil Pollution ◽  
Marine Pollution ◽  
United Nations Environment Programme ◽  
Current Status ◽  
International Convention ◽  
Response Measures ◽  
Oil Spill Response ◽  
Exercise Programmes

ABSTRACT The International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation, 1990 (OPRC Convention) defines the basic elements for co-operation between government and industry in marine pollution response. Emphasis is given in the Convention to developing contingency plans, equipment stocks, research and development initiatives, training and exercise programmes, and appropriate spill notification procedures for shipping. This paper reviews the current status of the partnership between government and industry for dealing with spills arising from the transportation of oil by sea. Three areas are explored: the risk of spills, environmental sensitivity issues, and the capabilities for dealing with oil spills in different regions of the world The format for the study is based on the Regional Seas and Partner Seas Programme initiated by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and supported by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). For each region, the main factors contributing to the risk of oil spills are identified, analysed and discussed in relation to the current pattern of oil transportation by sea. Comparisons are made with data on major oil pollution incidents drawn from ITOPF's oil spill database. Priorities and activities in the different regions are considered and the implications for oil spill response are discussed. Finally, the commitment and capabilities for mounting effective spill response measures in the different regions are gauged, with particular reference to the tenets of the OPRC Convention.

Developing an International Oil Spill Policy Strategy for the U.S.

2003 ◽  
Vol 2003 (1) ◽  
pp. 913-917
Author(s):  
Michael Adams
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil Pollution ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
The United States ◽  
Coast Guard ◽  
Foreign Assistance ◽  
International Convention ◽  
Integrated Policy ◽  
Oil Spill Response ◽  
The U.S

ABSTRACT As called for under the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation, 1990 (OPRC), “Parties to the OPRC convention are required to establish measures for dealing with pollution incidents, either nationally or in co-operation with other countries.” As a signatory to OPRC the U.S. Government (USG) has pledged to assist other countries in the development of their own oil spill response capabilities and while USG has many agreements that meet the guidelines of assisting other countries, there is no formal engagement strategy for developing further agreements, no agency championing this effort, and there are many still requiring assistance. However, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) is uniquely positioned to perform the role of drafting an engagement strategy and working with the global community to assist those countries that have yet to develop an adequate oil spill response system of their own due to the lack of resources, expertise or both. There are many hurdles to enabling USCG to assume the OPRC assistance banner that have been previously addressed (Adams, IOSC 2001), which this paper will not seek to readdress. However, if USG does decide to move forward with an integrated policy there remains the need to develop an adequate engagement strategy. This strategy is necessary to ensure the limited resources available for foreign assistance are expended in the most cost effective, ethical and responsible manner possible. There are three alternative strategies I will analyze in an effort to determine the best suited for implementation of this policy. These three strategies are based primarily on 1) environmental need, 2) geographical proximity, and 3) political/economic interests. The goal of this strategy is to effectively implement the oil spill assistance policy alluded to previously in support of the U.S.'s pledge under OPRC. This paper will analyze the success of each strategy making a recommendation on which one USG should pursue.

Global Initiative

1999 ◽  
Vol 1999 (1) ◽  
pp. 333-337
Author(s):  
Sophie Depraz ◽  
Peter Mark Taylor ◽  
James A. Thornborough ◽  
Malamine Thiam
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil Pollution ◽  
National Level ◽  
Petroleum Industry ◽  
International Convention ◽  
Marine Environmental Protection ◽  
Response Capacity ◽  
External Assistance ◽  
Global Initiative ◽  
International Liability

ABSTRACT The Global Initiative (GI) is defined as an umbrella for various mechanisms by which the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and industry, through the International Petroleum Industry Environment Conservation Association (IPIECA), co-operate to support national and regional implementation of the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response, and Co-operation 1990 (OPRC Convention) and to enhance oil spill preparedness and response capacity through the mobilisation of external assistance and industry support at the national level. The overall aim of GI is to improve and sustain the capability of developing countries to protect their marine and coastal resources at risk from an oil spill incident from any sources, through the implementation of the OPRC Convention. A key feature of the project is the emphasis on promoting industry/government co-operation through the mobilisation of existing and planned industry marine environmental protection expertise and resources. As initially envisaged the project has a global orientation: it directly encourages the ratification of the OPRC Convention and the relevant international liability and compensation conventions and promotes their effective implementation; project activities are undertaken at nationall regional levels to ensure that the weaknesses and gaps peculiar to a certain region are taken care of by moulding the package of training and resource building to address national and regional needs.

OIL POLLUTION CONTROL AND SPILL RESPONSE CAPABILITY IN THE ROPME SEA AREA

1987 ◽  
Vol 1987 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-13
Author(s):  
P. Bernard Ryan ◽  
Derek J. S.
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Information Exchange ◽  
Oil Pollution ◽  
National Level ◽  
Oil Industry ◽  
Oil Refining ◽  
Exploration And Production ◽  
Oil Spill Response ◽  
The Government ◽  
Sea Area

ABSTRACT The ROPME sea area as defined in this paper is the scene of some of the world's most intensive offshore oil exploration and production and the associated crude oil refining and tanker terminaling for oil exportation. The potential for oil pollution in the area is high, with its confined nature making it especially vulnerable to the effects of oil pollution. Awareness of this problem is well developed in the region in both government and industry, and good progress has been made in recent years toward preparing for the big oil spill which has so far not materialized, but which most experts consider inevitable at some time. Two distinct groups share the concern for oil pollution. The oil industry has well over 40 companies active in the area in some way. Many of these have a 15 year history of cooperation in oil spill response and continue to play a full role in protecting the environment from the adverse effects of oil pollution. More recently, nations bordering the area have taken an active interest in the problem and have demonstrated an impressive record of commitment and action over the past five or six years. While government and industry have maintained their separate identities, a good working relationship exists between them, and there is good information exchange and practical cooperation between the two groups, most especially at the national level. Future years should see this trend develop even further. A very impressive arsenal of oil pollution response equipment has been built up in the sea area since two major oil spill incidents in 1980. What is especially noticeable now is the proportion of this equipment that is owned and operated directly by the government agencies. This stands in marked contrast to the situation in 1980. In addition to the equipment resources available, the pool of personnel trained in oil spill response technology and methods is rapidly expanding as a result of seminars, workshops, and training courses that are being organized on a regular basis. The development of national and regional legislation to control the main sources of man-made pollution, for example, from tanker operations and offshore exploration and production, is in a very active stage and the oil industry is expected to have clear operational guidelines within the next few years.

REVIEW OF UNITED KINGDOM OIL SPILL RESPONSE TECHNIQUES AND EQUIPMENT

1983 ◽  
Vol 1983 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-19
Author(s):  
Douglas Cormack
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil Pollution ◽  
Problem Definition ◽  
General Nature ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
The Status ◽  
Oil Spill Response ◽  
Operational Aspects

ABSTRACT As a result of recent studies in the United Kingdom and elsewhere on the factors affecting oil spilled at sea, it has been possible to redefine the problems presented for oil spill response given the general nature of response techniques and their likely future development. This topic has benefited in the past two years from discussions in the Bonn Agreement Working Group on Technical Scientific and Operational Aspects of Oil Pollution. The influence of this problem definition on the choice of response equipment in the United Kingdom is discussed. The chosen equipment is described in relation to success in meeting identified requirements and likelihood of success in real operations. The status of the various approaches exemplified by individual equipment choices is presented and future developments anticipated.

HISTORICAL BUILDUP OF OIL SPILL RESPONSE CAPABILITY IN JAPAN

1993 ◽  
Vol 1993 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-43
Author(s):  
Sakae Shirai
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Response Force ◽  
Disaster Prevention ◽  
International Convention ◽  
Oil Boom ◽  
Oil Storage ◽  
Oil Spill Response ◽  
The Government ◽  
Prevention Law ◽  
Response Capability

ABSTRACT With the large oil spill that occurred in 1971 as an impetus, Japan's Maritime Pollution and Disaster Prevention Law was amended in 1973 and subsequently in 1976. The amendments required owners of vessels and petroleum facilities to retain designated quantities of oil boom, sorbent, dispersant, and other items to minimize impact from spills. A large oil spill caused by a ruptured crude oil storage tank in 1974 led to the enactment of additional legislation: the Petroleum Complex Disaster Prevention Law. Under this, petroleum facilities are required to maintain designated quantities of oil boom, oil boom deploying vessels, skimming boats, and the like. These legislative measures, together with voluntary efforts, have contributed to a sound buildup of the nation's oil spill response force. However, the response capability including stockpiled materials and equipment has been designed primarily to cope with incidents in closed waters such as inland seas, bays, and ports, and hence not for a oil spill in open seas as large as that from the Exxon Valdez. As one of the measures under the 1990 International Convention for Oil Spill Preparedness, Response and Cooperation, the Government of Japan has entrusted the Petroleum Association of Japan with an oil spill response capability reinforcement project to cope with a large oil spill should one occur in Japanese waters or nearby seas. Under the scheme, during the 5 year period beginning in 1991, the Petroleum Association of Japan is scheduled to build up, using subsidies from the government, stockpiles of cleanup equipment and materials and to augment the existing response capability.

To Cooperate or Not? Why Working Together is Essential in the Arctic

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 (1) ◽  
pp. 1146-1165
Author(s):  
Johan Marius Ly ◽  
Rune Bergstrøm ◽  
Ole Kristian Bjerkemo ◽  
Synnøve Lunde
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Response ◽  
Oil Spill ◽  
Barents Sea ◽  
Oil Pollution ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Response Analysis ◽  
The Barents Sea ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Oil Spill Response ◽  
Second Year

Abstract The Norwegian Arctic covers Svalbard, Bear Island, Jan Mayen and the Barents Sea. 80% of all shipping activities in the Arctic are within Norwegian territorial waters and the Exclusive Economic Zone. To reduce the risk for accidents, the Norwegian authorities have established several preventive measures. Among these are ship reporting systems, traffic separation schemes in international waters and surveillance capabilities. If an accident has occurred and an oil spill response operation must be organized - resources, equipment, vessels and manpower from Norwegian and neighboring states will be mobilized. In 2015, the Norwegian Coastal Administration finalized an environmental risk-based emergency response analysis for shipping incidents in the Svalbard, Bear Island and Jan Mayen area. This scenario-based analysis has resulted in a number of recommendations that are currently being implemented to be better prepared for oil spill response operations in the Norwegian Arctic. Further, a large national oil spill response exercise in 2016 was based on one of these scenarios involving at sea and onshore oil spill response at Svalbard. The 2016 exercise, working within the framework of the Agreement on Cooperation on Marine Oil Pollution Preparedness and Response in the Arctic between Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the USA (Arctic Council 2013), focused on a shipping incident in the Norwegian waters in the Barents Sea, close to the Russian border. Every year, as part of the Russian – Norwegian Oil Spill Response Agreement and the SAR Agreement in the Barents Sea, combined SAR and oil spill response exercises are organized. These are held every second year in Russia and every second year in Norway. There is an expected increased traffic and possible increased risk for accidents in the Arctic waters. In order to build and maintain an emergency response system to this, cooperation between states, communities, private companies and other stakeholders is essential. It is important that all actors that operate and have a role in the Arctic are prepared and able to help ensure the best possible emergency response plans. We depend on one another, this paper highlights some of the ongoing activities designed to strengthen the overall response capabilities in the Arctic.

The Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund: How Effective an Instrument of U.S. Public Policy Has It Been?1

1999 ◽  
Vol 1999 (1) ◽  
pp. 655-658
Author(s):  
Daniel F. Sheehan
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil Pollution ◽  
The United States ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Trust Fund ◽  
International Regime ◽  
Exxon Valdez ◽  
The Public ◽  
International Liability ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT The Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund (OSLTF) was forged in the legislative cauldron of the aftermath of the Exxon Valdez casualty. However, its genesis really began with Congressional consideration and debate concerning whether to adopt an international liability and compensation regime or improve the unilateral system unique to the United States. The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 significantly expanded the scope of the unique U.S. mechanism, while at the same time it urged the Administration to continue to examine the possibilities of becoming party to an international regime. Ten years after the Exxon Valdez casualty provides a convenient and appropriate time frame for reflection on how well the public has been served by the establishment and implementation of the regime of which the OSLTF is a major element. The impact on various publics served and stakeholders impacted will be analyzed and evaluated. While there are clearly differences in scope, application, and funding mechanisms between the U.S. and international regime, there are substantial similarities in terms of process, administration, areas of concern and interest.

Government Initiated Unannounced Exercises (GIUEs): Developing Response Best Practices to Improve Marine Environmental Response Preparedness

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 (1) ◽  
pp. 2879-2894
Author(s):  
Christopher Klarmann ◽  
LCDR Johna Rossetti
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil Pollution ◽  
Coast Guard ◽  
Regulatory Agencies ◽  
Environmental Response ◽  
Vessel Response ◽  
Oil Spill Response ◽  
Response Plan ◽  
Marine Environmental

ABSTRACT ID: 2017-101 – GIUEs: Developing Best Practices to Improve Marine Environmental Response Preparedness The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) is authorized by the Oil Pollution Act (OPA) of 1990 to conduct Government Initiated Unannounced Exercises (GIUE), a cornerstone of the oil spill exercise cycle. These exercises are instrumental for USCG Captains of the Port (COTP) to evaluate industry preparedness for oil spill response by specifically testing a facility or vessel on notification procedures, response time, and deployment of facility-owned or Oil Spill Removal Organization (OSRO) equipment. Facility Response Plan holders and Vessel Response Plan holders are subject to these exercises under federal regulations 33 C.F.R. § 154 and § 155. In 2013, the USCG restructured their GIUE policy to provide better guidance for employees. This updated policy detailed how to properly plan and conduct a GIUE as well as established expectations following both satisfactory and unsatisfactory exercises. In this paper we will examine the changes that the USCG has made regarding its policy on planning and conducting GIUEs, describe how USCG field units are implementing the new policy, including how unsatisfactory GIUEs are addressed, and examine what commonalities, are being seen in GIUE unsatisfactory results. Finally, we will discuss how plan holders, OSROs, and regulatory agencies can work together to better prepare for responding to an environmental emergency when it occurs.

A BRIEF COMPARISON OF U.S. AND JAPANESE OIL SPILL RESPONSE POLICIES

1997 ◽  
Vol 1997 (1) ◽  
pp. 963-964
Author(s):  
Traci Benedict ◽  
Mike Hicks ◽  
Setsuko Masaki
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil Spill Response ◽  
Actual Response ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Response Effectiveness

ABSTRACT This paper provides a brief overview of United States and Japanese oil spill response regulations with respect to the impact that regulations have on actual response effectiveness.

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