Continuing to Improve Oil Spill Response in the Arctic: A Joint Industry Programme

Abstract

For more than 50 years, the oil and gas industry has funded and conducted research to improve oil spill response technologies and methodologies with industry, government, academia, and stakeholders jointly involved. This research has included hundreds of studies, laboratory and basin experiments and field trials, specifically in the United States, Canada and Scandinavia. Recent examples include the SINTEF Oil in Ice JIP (2006–2009) and research conducted at Ohmsett—The National Oil Spill Response Research and Renewable Energy Test Facility. This sustained and frequently collaborative effort is not commonly known and recognised by those outside the field of oil spill response.

To build on this existing research and continue improving the technologies and methodologies for Arctic oil spill response, nine international oil and gas companies (BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Eni, ExxonMobil, North Caspian Operating Company (NCOC), Shell, Statoil, and Total) are working collaboratively in the Arctic Oil Spill Response Technology—Joint Industry Programme (JIP). The goal is to advance Arctic oil spill response strategies and equipment as well as to increase understanding of potential impacts of oil on the marine environment. The $21.5M (USD) programme is coordinated by an Executive Steering Committee comprising representatives from each company under the auspices of the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers. The world’s foremost experts on oil spill response, development, and operations from across industry, academia, and independent scientific institutions are being engaged to perform the scientific research.

The JIP has completed phase one of the programme which included technical assessments and state of knowledge reviews in the following six areas: dispersants, environmental effects, trajectory modelling, remote sensing, mechanical recovery, and in situ burning (ISB). Sixteen research reports that identify and summarise the state-of- knowledge and regulatory status for using dispersants, remote sensing and ISB in the Arctic are available on the JIP website (www.arcticresponsetechnology.org).

Phase two activities are now underway which include laboratory, small and medium scale tank tests, and field research. Eleven projects are in progress ranging from dispersant effectiveness testing; modelling the fate of dispersed oil in ice; assessing the environmental effects of an Arctic oil spill; advancing oil spill modelling trajectory capabilities in ice; extending the capability to detect and map oil in darkness, low visibility, in and under ice; herder application, fate and effects; and expanding the ‘window of opportunity’ for ISB response operations. This chapter presents recent JIP progress and key learnings from results.