In Situ Oil Spill Countermeasures in Ice-Infested Waters: A Modeling Study of the Fate/Behaviours of Spilled Oil

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 (1) ◽  
pp. 1215-1225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haibo Niu ◽  
Kenneth Lee ◽  
Michel C. Boufadel ◽  
Lin Zhao ◽  
Brian Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Arctic Region ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Oil Transport ◽  
Habitat Recovery ◽  
Dispersed Oil ◽  
Oil Biodegradation ◽  
Arctic Conditions ◽  
Spilled Oil

ABSTRACT The expansion of offshore oil and gas and marine transport activities in the Arctic have raised the level of risk for an oil spill to occur in the Arctic region. Existing technologies for oil spill cleanup in ice-covered conditions are limited and there is a need for improved oil spill countermeasures for use under Arctic conditions. A recent field study has assessed a proposed oil spill response technique in ice-infested waters based on the application of fine minerals in a slurry with mixing by propeller-wash to promote the formation of oil-mineral aggregates (OMA). While it was verified in the experimental study that the dispersion was enhanced and mineral fine additions promoted habitat recovery by enhancing both the rate and extent of oil biodegradation, limited monitoring data provide little insights on the fate of dispersed oil after the response. To help understand the oil transport process following mineral treatment in ice-covered conditions, mathematical modeling was used in this study to simulate the transport of OMA and calculate the mass balances of the spilled oil. To study the effects of ice and minerals on the fate and transport, the result was compared with scenarios without ice and without the addition of mineral fines. The results show general agreement between the modeling results and field observations, and further confirm the effectiveness and potential for using mineral treatment as a new oil spill counter-measure technology. This technique offers several operational advantages for use under Arctic conditions, including reduced number of personnel required for its application, lack of need for waste disposal sites, and cost effectiveness.

scholarly journals State-of-the Science of Dispersants and Dispersed Oil in Arctic Waters

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy Kinner ◽  
Doug Helton ◽  
Gary Shigenaka
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
The State ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Activity Increase ◽  
Response Option ◽  
Expert Review ◽  
Dispersed Oil ◽  
Arctic Conditions ◽  
State Of The Science

ABSTRACT Chemical dispersants were employed on an unprecedented scale during the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, and could be a response option should a large spill occur in Arctic waters. The use of dispersants in response to the DWH spill raised concerns regarding the need for chemical dispersants, the fate of the oil and dispersants, and their potential impacts on human health and the environment. Concerns remain that would be more evident in the Arctic, where the remoteness and harsh environmental conditions would make a response to any oil spill very difficult. An outcome of a 2013 Arctic oil spill exercise for senior federal agency leadership identified the need for an evaluation of the state-of-the-science of dispersants and dispersed oil (DDO), and a clear delineation of the associated uncertainties that remain, particularly as they apply to Arctic waters. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), in partnership with the Coastal Response Research Center (CRRC), embarked on a project to seek expert review and evaluation of the state-of-the-science and the uncertainties involving DDO. The objectives of the project were to: identify the primary research/reference documents on DDO, determine what is known about the state-of-the-science regarding DDO, and determine what uncertainties, knowledge gaps or inconsistencies remain 689559 regarding DDO science. The project focused on five areas and how they might be affected by Arctic conditions: dispersant efficacy and effectiveness, physical transport and chemical behavior, degradation and fate, eco-toxicity and sub-lethal impacts, and public health and food safety. The Louisiana University Marine Consortium (LUMCON) dispersants database was used as a source of relevant literature generated prior to June 2008. The CRRC created a database that compiled relevant research thereafter. The six to ten experts on each of the panel were from academia, industry, NGOs, governmental agencies and consulting. Despite the fact that their scientific perspectives were diverse, the panelists were able to generate hundreds of statements of knowns and uncertainties about which all of the members agreed. This required detailed discussion of 1000s scientific papers. While the cutoff date for literature considered was December 31, 2015, the vast majority of the findings are still relevant and most of the uncertainties remain. As the ice in the Arctic diminishes and maritime development and activity increase, these five documents can inform discussions of the potential use of dispersants as a spill response option in both ice-free and ice infested Arctic waters.

OHMSETT TESTS OF A ROPE-MOP SKIMMER IN ICE-INFESTED WATERS1

1985 ◽  
Vol 1985 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. S. Shum ◽  
M. Borst Mason & Hanger-Silas
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Arctic Region ◽  
Cold Weather ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Test Tank ◽  
Broken Ice ◽  
Petroleum Development ◽  
Oil Spill Cleanup

ABSTRACT The increase in petroleum development activities in the arctic region has raised concerns over potential oil spills during the broken ice season. Currently, exploratory drilling for oil and gas is restricted during this season due to the lack of proven oil spill cleanup methods for broken ice fields. Test programs have been conducted at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Oil and Hazardous Materials Simulated Environmental Test Tank (OHMSETT) to determine the feasibility of cold weather testing and to evaluate various oil spill cleanup methods considered for use in the arctic. This paper describes a test program to determine the practicality of using a catamaran-mounted rope-mop skimmer for spill cleanup in broken ice fields. An Oil Map Pollution Control, Ltd., prototype arctic skimmer was tested in the test tank under controlled conditions during January 30 to February 7, 1984. Freshwater ice cubes of 250 to 280 millimeters (mm) were used in the tests to approximate a broken ice field. During tests, a predetermined ice condition was established across the encounter width of the rope mops and oil was distributed over the ice. The oil and ice were channeled into the skimmer by two booms, which were joined to the skimmer at the bow. Nine tests were conducted at a tow speed of 1 knot using Circo 4X light oil. During the tests, ice concentrations were varied from 0 to 75 percent of the surface area, and oil slick thickness varied from 3 to 8 mm. The test results demonstrated the spill cleanup capability of the skimmer in ice-infested waters having up to 50 percent ice coverage. At higher ice concentrations, the skimmer was ineffective due to ice jamming at the skimmer inlet.

Advancing Oil Spill Response in Arctic Conditions: The Arctic Oil Spill Response Technology - Joint Industry Programme

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 (1) ◽  
pp. 960-971 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph V. Mullin
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Research Integrity ◽  
Field Research ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
Response Strategies ◽  
Arctic Conditions ◽  
Oil Spill Response

ABSTRACT The oil and gas industry has made significant advances in being able to detect, contain and clean up spills in arctic environments. To further build on existing research and improve the technologies and methodologies for arctic oil spill response, nine oil and gas companies (BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Eni, ExxonMobil, North Caspian Operating Company, Shell, Statoil, and Total) established the Arctic Oil Spill Response Technology Joint Industry Programme (JIP). The goal of the JIP is to advance arctic oil spill response strategies and equipment as well as to increase understanding of potential impacts of oil on the arctic marine environment. Officially launched in January 2012 at the Arctic Frontiers Conference in Tromsø, Norway, the JIP has six technical working groups (TWG) each focusing on a different key area of oil spill response: dispersants; environmental effects; trajectory modeling; remote sensing; mechanical recovery and in-situ burning (ISB). There is also a field research TWG to pursue opportunities for field releases for validation of response technologies and strategies. Each TWG is led by recognized subject matter experts with years of experience in oil spill response research and operations. This JIP is bringing together the world's foremost experts on oil spill response research, development, and operations from across industry, academia, and independent research centres. Research integrity will be ensured through technical peer review and public dissemination of results. This paper describes the scope and current progress of this Joint Industry Program (JIP).

Advancing Oil Spill Preparedness and Response Techniques for Arctic Conditions

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 (1) ◽  
pp. abs105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Velez ◽  
Hanne Greiff Johnsen ◽  
Alexis Steen ◽  
Yvette Osikilo
Keyword(s):  
Sea Ice ◽  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Distinct Advantage ◽  
Cold Temperatures ◽  
Arctic Regions ◽  
Arctic Conditions ◽  
Oil Spill Response ◽  
High Level

ABSTRACT Industrial and commercial activities in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions, including oil exploration, have increased in recent years. The 2008 circumpolar analysis by the US Geological Survey highlighted the large quantities of undiscovered oil and gas (O&G) estimated to be present. Governments of Arctic coastal states require industry to ensure a high level of environmental protection while operating in these areas. There are unique considerations which must be addressed such as: prolonged periods of darkness and daylight, cold temperatures, environmental sensitivities, indigenous peoples and their culture, distant infrastructure and remoteness, presence of seasonal/dynamic sea ice offshore, and a generally higher cost of doing business. Oil spill response (OSR) in the ice-free season can be comparable to the response in others parts of the world, with the exception of lower temperatures and extended daylight hours. The latter is a distinct advantage for OSR operations. Prevention of spills remains a top priority for industry. To address spills, if prevention is unsuccessful, the O&G industry has made significant progress over the last decades on addressing the technical challenges of operating in the Arctic. The O&G industry has also performed work to evaluate and validate OSR response measures under Arctic conditions. Oil spill response is a demanding task in any environment, but responding to spills in Arctic regions can present different challenges, especially with presence of sea ice, than to spills found in more temperate regions and opportunities exist to improve upon this existing capability. Some response techniques have been modified or specially developed for use in the Arctic. The O&G industry will undertake a joint industry research program to further address the challenges of Arctic Oil Spill Response. This paper describes the background, planning, and scope for this Joint Industry Program (JIP).

scholarly journals Responder Needs Addressed by Arctic Maritime Oil Spill Modeling

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 201
Author(s):  
Jessica Manning ◽  
Megan Verfaillie ◽  
Christopher Barker ◽  
Catherine Berg ◽  
Amy MacFadyen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Arctic Region ◽  
Coast Guard ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Maritime Shipping ◽  
Oil Spill Modeling ◽  
Oil Spill Response ◽  
Natural Resource Development ◽  
Spilled Oil

There is a greater probability of more frequent and/or larger oil spills in the Arctic region due to increased maritime shipping and natural resource development. Accordingly, there is an increasing need for effective spilled-oil computer modeling to help emergency oil spill response decision makers, especially in waters where sea ice is present. The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of Response & Restoration (OR&R) provides scientific support to the U.S. Coast Guard Federal On-Scene Coordinator (FOSC) during oil spill response. OR&R’s modeling products must provide adequate spill trajectory predictions so that response efforts minimize economic, cultural, and ecologic impacts, including those to species, habitats, and food supplies. The Coastal Response Research Center is conducting a project entitled Oil Spill Modeling for Improved Response to Arctic Maritime Spills: The Path Forward, in conjunction with modelers, responders, and researchers. A goal of the project is to prioritize new investments in model and tool development to improve response effectiveness in the Arctic. The project delineated FOSC needs during Arctic maritime spill response and provided a solution communicating sources of uncertainty in model outputs using a Confidence Estimates of Oil Model Inputs and Outputs (CEOMIO) table. The table shows the level of confidence (high, medium, low) in a model’s trajectory prediction over scenario-specific time intervals and the contribution of different component inputs (e.g., temperature, wind, ice) to that result.

Sustainable Development of Oil Production in the Arctic Shelf and Evolution of Fish Stock

2019 ◽  
pp. 451-469
Author(s):  
Yuri Yegorov
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Barents Sea ◽  
Arctic Region ◽  
Renewable Resource ◽  
Academic Community ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Fish Stock ◽  
Common Pool ◽  
Arctic Fish

Arctic region is an important resource for hydrocarbons (oil and gas). Their exploitation is not immediate but will develop fast as soon as oil prices approach $100 per barrel again. In the Arctic, fish stock is an important renewable resource. Contrary to hydrocarbons, it is already overexploited. Future simultaneous exploitation of both resources poses several problems, including externalities and common pool. The academic community still has some time for theoretical investigation of those future problems and working out the corresponding policy measures that are consistent with sustainable development of the region. The Barents Sea is especially important because it has a common pool both in hydrocarbons and fish.

scholarly journals Forecasting of Technology Development of the Arctic Hydrocarbon Resources’ Extraction

2020 ◽  
Vol 162 ◽  
pp. 01008
Author(s):  
Tatiana Chvileva
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Technology Development ◽  
Arctic Region ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
Industrial Systems ◽  
Technological Forecasting ◽  
Energy Needs

The Arctic region has a great potential in development of hydrocarbon resources and can play an important role in meeting future global energy needs. In the presented work the specific features of the Arctic hydrocarbon projects are identified. Key needs of oil and gas industry in technology development within the framework of projects of extraction of hydrocarbon resources in the Arctic are revealed. A critical analysis of technological forecasting methods is presented. Problems and prospects of their use in the conditions of the Arctic zones are established. The need for an integrated approach to forecasting the development of industrial systems of the Arctic zone is justified.

Advances from Arctic Oil Spill Response Research

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 (1) ◽  
pp. 1487-1506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph V. Mullin
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Field Tests ◽  
Field Research ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Research Projects ◽  
Effective Response ◽  
Oil Spill Response

Abstract 2017-161 Over the past four decades, the oil and gas industry has made significant advances in being able to detect, contain and clean up spills and mitigate the residual consequences in Arctic environments. Many of these advances were achieved through collaborative research programs involving industry, academic and government partners. The Arctic Oil Spill Response Technology - Joint Industry Programme (JIP), was launched in 2012 and completed in early 2017 with the objectives of building on an already extensive knowledge base to further improve Arctic spill response capabilities and better understand the environmental issues involved in selecting and implementing the most effective response strategies. The JIP was a collaboration of nine oil and gas companies (BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Eni, ExxonMobil, North Caspian Operating Company, Shell, Statoil, and Total) and focused on six key areas of oil spill response: dispersants; environmental effects; trajectory modeling; remote sensing; mechanical recovery and in-situ burning. The JIP provided a vehicle for sharing knowledge among the participants and international research institutions and disseminating information to regulators, the public and stakeholders. The network of engaged scientists and government agencies increased opportunities to develop and test oil spill response technologies while raising awareness of industry efforts to advance the existing capabilities in Arctic oil spill response. The JIP consisted of two phases, the first included technical assessments and state of knowledge reviews resulting in a library of sixteen documents available on the JIP website. The majority of the JIP efforts focused on Phase 2, actual experiments, and included laboratory, small and medium scale tank tests, and field research experiments. Three large-scale field tests were conducted in the winter and spring months of 2014–2016 including recent participation of the JIP in the 2016 NOFO oil on water exercise off Norway. The JIP was the largest pan-industry programme dedicated to oil spill response in the Arctic, ever carried out. Twenty seven research projects were successfully and safely conducted by the world’s foremost experts on oil spill response from across industry, academia, and independent scientific institutions in ten countries. The overarching goal of the research was to address the differing aspects involved in oil spill response, including the methods used, and their applicability to the Arctic’s unique conditions. All research projects were conducted using established protocols and proven scientific technologies, some of which were especially adjusted for ice conditions. This paper describes the scope of the research conducted, results, and key findings. The JIP is committed to full transparency in disseminating the results through peer reviewed journal articles, and all JIP research reports are available free of charge at www.arcticresponsetechnology.org.

Spatial Organization of Economic Development of Energy Resources in the Arctic Region of the Russian Federation

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 605 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergey Anatolievich AGARKOV ◽  
Sergey Yurievich KOZMENKO ◽  
Anton Nikolaevich SAVELIEV ◽  
Mikhail Vasilyevich ULCHENKO ◽  
Asya Aleksandrovna SHCHEGOLKOVA
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Spatial Organization ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Arctic Region ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
World Energy ◽  
The Russian Federation ◽  
D Model ◽  
Gas Bearing ◽  
The Arctic Region

In the conditions of price reduction in the world energy market, the issue of determining the priorities of the economic development of hydrocarbons in the Arctic Region of the Russian Federation (RF) becomes highly relevant. The article is aimed at developing an optimal model for the spatial organization of energy resources in the Arctic Region. The expert elicitation procedure was used to determine the efficiency indicators for the economic development of the oil-and-gas-bearing areas in the Arctic Region and clusterization of these areas was carried out in terms of economic efficiency. Based on the factor analysis, the degree of influence of efficiency indicators on the economic development of the oil and gas bearing areas of the region was determined and, an integrated performance indicator of economic development for oil-and-gas-bearing areas for each cluster was calculated with regard to the factor loadings. A 3-D model was developed for the organization of economic development of oil and gas in the Arctic Region. The 3-D model became the basis for determining the priorities for territorial exploration, development and production of hydrocarbons in terms of their economic efficiency, taking into account the trends in the development of the world energy market and break-even fields. A set of recommendations was developed to improve the efficiency of the spatial organization of economic development of oil and gas in the Arctic Region. The implementation of the proposed measures can contribute to the development of the oil and gas industry in the region, its socio-economic development and the long-term sustainability of Russia's energy security.

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