In-Situ Burning for Oil Spills in Arctic Waters: State-of-the-Art and Future Research Needs

Abstract

In-situ burning is one of the few practical options for removing oil spilled in ice-covered waters. In many instances in-situ burning, combined with surveillance and monitoring, may be the only response possible. As with all countermeasures in any environment, the suitability of burning a particular spill depends on the characteristics of the spilled oil and how the oil behaves in the particular ice conditions. There is an extensive body of knowledge concerningin-situ burning of oil in ice situations, beginning with laboratory, tank and field studies in the mid-1970s in support of drilling in the Canadian Beaufort Sea.In-situ burning research has been conducted primarily in Canada, Norway and the United States. This paper serves as a review of the subject, incorporating recent research results, summarizing the following topics:

• The basic requirements and processes involved with in-situ burning

• Trade-offs associated with burning in ice-covered waters

• How oil spill behavior in various ice conditions controls in-situ burning

• The application of burning in various common ice situations and

• Key equipment requirements.