Oil Spill Science, Response and Remediation 1

Oil Spill Science, Response and Remediation

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[Date]
 Oil Spill Science, Response and Remediation 2

Table of Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 3

Discussion ..................................................................................................................................................... 3

Norway: Oil Spill Contingency Plan ........................................................................................................ 3

Nigeria: Oil Spill Contingency Plan ......................................................................................................... 5

Malaysia: Oil Spill Contingency Plan ....................................................................................................... 8

Conclusion & Recommendations.................................................................................................................. 9

References ................................................................................................................................................... 11
 Oil Spill Science, Response and Remediation 3

Oil Spill Science, Response and Remediation

Introduction
Responding to an acute and chronic oil spill incident affecting an extensive range of area, people
and their properties insists on that many appropriate decisions are made rapidly. To successfully
achieve this, all participants need to professionally prepare to address the situation very
carefully, can reach to important decisions and can quickly mobilise best of the best resources
devoid of any hesitation and with least delay. A comprehensive contingency plan is helpful in
successfully meeting this goal.

The incidents of oil spills lead to both acute and chronic turbulences in coastline and estuarine
areas. Although companies still use the mechanical countermeasures called the oil removal
techniques with the aim of removing and recovering oil products, research studies reveal that
recovery of oil products seldom retrieves more than 20% of the leaked oil. The low efficiency of
these techniques, along with their incapability of providing the required level of environmental
protection, has led to the development of other response actions in terms of methods and
technologies.

The basic aim of this paper is to examine the difficulties of oil spill disasters and evaluate oil
spill and environmental data in decision-making throughout the stages of response, clean-up and
remediation across three continents of the world, including Asia, Africa and Europe. From these
three continents, this paper will review and analyse the oil spill contingency plans developed and
implemented by Malaysia, Nigeria and Norway.

Discussion

Norway: Oil Spill Contingency Plan

The oil mining forms engaging in operation at Norway’s off the coast are directed to formulate
their comprehensive contingency plans with the aim of enabling them to fulfil every single
specification formed by the Norwegian Pollution Control Authority (SFT) (Knudsen et al 2005).
As explained in the regulations, the least requirements for oil spill response are declared in terms
of response times and certain requirements for the booms and skimmers.
 Oil Spill Science, Response and Remediation 4

For successfully coping with slight and modest spills, less than 100 tons, and also in the initial
phases of major oil spills (pre-spill), response tools and techniques needs to be settled nearly the
facility of oil production. Less than 1 hour as a response time, least capability for the oil recovery
system of 50 m3 per hour, and an absolute capacity of 0.1 km2 per hour are the basic demands of
such regulations (Directorate 2013). By using some simple approaches of simple calculations,
these regulations are converted into required dimensions related to booms and skimmer. By
making the pump capacity and effectiveness stronger bases, the skimmer type is picked out;
either maintained by the manufacturing firm or reported in test results given by third-party entity.
To make sure the fulfilment of the absolute competence and capacity requirement it is traditional
approach to undertake 1 knot as the pace boom operation in a J-formation, and hence, the
required length of boom is approximately 200 m (Directorate 2013). The projected estimated
capability of cleaning-up, than the real competence and capability, relies solely on whether one
overemphasises or undervalues the average slick thickness of oil and the outflow via boom. The
error could go either way, relying upon the oils release circumstances and the scattering
properties, and can simply result in utterly above- or under-dimensioned response ability. It is
not necessary to consider the effect of a variety of oil types, size of the spill and circumstances of
release, because the least requirement set by the authorities needs to be met.

However, SFT recently declared that the preferred alternative to response (chemical, biological
and mechanical) should be the one helping in reducing the adverse environmental impact due to
oil spill, consistent with the philosophy of Net Environmental Benefit Analysis (NEBA)
(DeMicco et al 2011). This statement suggests that every single response alternative needs to be
thoroughly analysed, no matter what cost is, prior to the selection of highly recognised approach.
Despite anything to the contrary, it is also taken into consideration by SFT that response needs to
be based strongly on cost-efficient. It is necessary for oil companies to show proof to the
concerned authorities that their response strategy, if it not consistent with the least mechanical oil
recovery requirements, is friendly to the environment for their certain operational activities.

SINTEF introduced a model system called The Oil Spill Contingency and Response (OSCAR)
(Daling et al 2002), with the basic aim of making comparisons among a variety of response
approaches. By giving information related to oil spill location on the likelihood of spill incidents,
likely release circumstances, type of oil type, and environmental resources, a quantitative
 Oil Spill Science, Response and Remediation 5

analysis based comprehensive contingency plan has the strong potential to be customised for
successful operation.

The reasons behind the development of OSCAR model system (Daling et al 2002) is to facilitate
in conducting objective analysis of alternative response approaches by supplying a tool. This
model system creates a strong basis to conduct the thorough quantitative assessments to
determine environmental impact of oil spill. This model has some major components, which
include oil weathering model given by SINTEF, a model of three-dimensional oil path and
chemical fates (Singsaas, Reed and Nordtug 2008), a model of oil spill combat (Chapman et al
2007), and exposure models for sea species and birds (Chapman et al 2007). This model helps in
estimating computing and recoding the distribution in three physical dimensions, along with a
pollutant element’s existence time on the water surface, column and shorelines. This model
system is also attached within the user interface based on graphics in WINDOWS NT/95,
through which a large number of databases (environmental data) and tools are facilitated to be
connected.

Nigeria: Oil Spill Contingency Plan

In Nigeria, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) under the Ministry of Environment has
approved the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) (Ugochukwu and
Ertel 2008). The Ministry of Environment has also forwarded to the FEC for endorsement, the
National Oil Spill Contingency Plan (NOSCP) as the evaluated draft which would be managed
by Agency (Ugochukwu and Ertel 2008). Nigeria has an affiliation with the International
Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Cooperation (Nwilo and Badejo 2006);
hence, establishment of the comprehensive contingency plan and the agency was consistent with
them. The National Assembly has also been forwarded a draft bill on the NOSDRA to
thoroughly consider it by integrating into legislation (Ajakaiye 2008). Besides these strong
endeavours to abide by regulations and requirements of monitoring and implementation of oil
and gas, the pressure has been imposing on the companies by the ministry for a gas flare-out.
Efforts in terms of strong and strict strategies are being made, as per the available sources, with
the aim of making sure the adoption of environmental-friendly oil extracting systems (Ajakaiye
2008).
 Oil Spill Science, Response and Remediation 6

In this regard, to minimise the rate of oil spill disasters, due to vandalisation (destroying
wantonly), throughout the Nigerian Coast, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)
has been passed by the Federal Government via an Act in 2000 (Omotola 2007). A Commission
has also been established with the aim of performing the tasks below stated (Omotola 2007):

 Conducting the survey in the Niger-Delta location to determine measures, because it is

important to foster its overall development, whether physical or socio-economic;
 Developing strategic plans with the aim of fostering overall physical development of the
area;
 Recognising specific determinants through which the development of the Niger-Delta is
inhibited, while helping other member countries in Africa in developing and enforcing
strategic policies and plans to make sure effective resource management;
 Evaluating and reporting on any assignment financially supported by oil and gas producers
and others, such as non-governmental entities and making sure that financial support released
for the assignments are utilised in proper way;
 Effectively dealing with or managing every single issue related to the environment emerging
from the oil exploration in the area;
 Interacting with other oil mineral and gas mining and producing firms regarding the
prevention and control of pollution.

Moreover, the government also issued the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) with the
intention of providing protection and sustaining the ecosystem (Adomokai and Sheate 2004). An
EIA is made a basic requirement by the law while engaging in a larger-scale oil exploration
project that may have negative environmental impacts (Adomokai and Sheate 2004). It required
to evaluate the possible negative impacts of the suggested actions, such as their direct or indirect,
fast growing, temporary and lasting impacts, and to find the approaches how to minimise the
negative impacts to the environment posed by the suggested actions, and a comprehensive
evaluation of such actions (Adomokai and Sheate 2004). The Federal Environmental Protection
Agency performs EIAs. .

Besides this, there are many agencies, including the Federal Ministry of Environment, the
Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), the National Maritime Authority, and the State
 Oil Spill Science, Response and Remediation 7

Ministries of Environment, operating at the Federal and State levels that are responsible for
coping with the oil spill issues in Nigeria.

Further, the Clean Nigeria Associates (C.N.A.) was established in 1981 as awareness about
prevention and control of oil spill in Nigeria was increasing. The C.N.A. includes 11 oil
exploring firms, which are responsible for maintaining and improving the capability of fighting
against oil spill incidents related to liquid hydrocarbons and other contaminants (Omoweh,
2005).

Niger Delta Environmental Survey (NDES) has also been established by Shell with the support
provided by the OPTS (Oil Producers Trade Section) members of the Lagos Chambers of
Commerce (Osuji and Adesiyan 2005). In this regard, financial support was provided to NDES
by Shell, among others, including the OPTS and the Rivers and Delta States governments. The
NDES was responsible for facilitating by providing a thorough narrative account about the area,
along with ecological areas, boundary locations, and diverse uses of available natural resources.
Besides these, the NDES was also expected to provide a cohesive idea on the environmental
situations and its rapport with the society; an in-depth analytical assessment about the causal
rapports made between use of land, its patterns of settlement, the whole industry and the
environment, with the aim of establishing a base line for further planning; a suggestive strategic
plan for developing and managing the Niger Delta (Boele, Fabig and Wheeler 2001).

Along with these efforts, the Nigerian Sat 1 Satellite, an Orbit Satellite, is now working in
collaboration with the Disaster Monitoring Constellation (Gutti, Aji and Magaji 2012). The
Nigerian Sat 1 Satellite is an extensively recognised early-warning system through which real-
time information related to natural disasters is transmitted. This satellite system has been
designed for geographical mapping and for checking the repeated issues of oil pipeline
vandalisation. It is also helpful in fighting against major spill disasters and in monitoring the
incidents by providing the spill position which would facilitate as response data into the oil spill
model. Besides these favourable abilities, it also provides the information about the level of
shoreline areas contaminated. The importance of this information is that fast clean-up of spilled
areas is possible. (Gutti, Aji and Magaji 2012)
 Oil Spill Science, Response and Remediation 8

Malaysia: Oil Spill Contingency Plan

In 1970s, when the fears of oil spill incidents spreading throughout the Straits of Malacca
became real, the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan (SOMCP) as the oil spill response was first
developed by the Department of Environment (DOE) (Gas and Connections 2006). Due to
changing environmental conditions, the plan has been modified and updated by integrating the
core components of search and rescue, along with information related areas that are impacted by
adverse environmental. In Malaysia, with the hard efforts in the development and management
of country’s overall valuable offshore petroleum resources and with massive increase in oil
tanker flows in the South China Seas, the Oil Spill Contingency Plan for South China Seas as
another contingency plan was established in 1989 by the Malaysian government (SCSCP). After
that, both plans were incorporated with each other, which again formulated a National Oil Spill
Contingency Plan (NOSCP) (Gas and Connections 2006).

The basic aim and objective of NOSCP was to manage oil spill disasters in the country’s
coastlines which includes the 200 nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), in order to
fulfil the targets below stated (Kawaley 1995):

 To develop and supply a comprehensive mechanism through which the oil spill response
systems are coordinated well for successful spill control and oil recovery;
 To develop and improve competency by using the available resources relating to tools,
human resource and professional training how to fight against spill disasters; and
 To make efforts to reduce all possible negative environmental effects of spill.

Moreover, there are 3 tiered response concepts upon which NOSCP is based, including the spill
area, spill size and quantity, and the capability of response to spill. The first one is synchronised
by Malaysian local agencies operating in the oil industry. Typically, the spill’s extent and size is
not large and a spill contingency plan at the local level is initiated, employing the available
human resources and tools and techniques. If the oil spilled in an area is not handled by the local
area response capability due to any reason, the next tiered response concept is synchronised,
initiating either the SOMCP or the SCSCP, relying upon the disaster place. The SCSCP has 3
Area Operation Committees, in which two committees are responsible for covering the East
Coast of Peninsular Malaysia while one committee is responsible for each for Sabah and
Sarawak (Zakaria et al 2000). The third one is synchronised to manage larger-scale disasters,
 Oil Spill Science, Response and Remediation 9

where all the existing resources, whether governmental, natural or industrial, are fatigued and
where support from the next-door countries is must. This last response is also for a situation if
the oil spilled in an area speedily spreads out to out of the country’s border. In this case, a variety
of contingency plans along with marine response tools operating at the regional level will be
responded relying on the spills’ place and size. All the response levels are associated with each
other, which can also be started at the same time relying upon the resources competency, overall
time of mobilisation, and spill’s size and place (Zakaria et al 2000).

The National Oil Spill Control Committee, presided by the DOE’s Director-General, coordinates
with the NOSCP. Such a committee is based on associated agencies operating at the government
level and entities related to oil industry. The Committee is responsible for making strategic
recommendations and plans for the Area Coordinator and to make coordination with the other
organisations engaged in cleaning-up the spilled area, air observation, tools’ and equipment’s
attaining and placement, communication and human resource placement. With the support of the
Foreign Affairs Ministry, this Committee also interacts with next-door countries for getting
support to accelerate actions to manage the disaster.

As far as some other operational facets are concerned, thorough important operational
procedures are coordinated by the NOSCP, such as the spill warning and reporting, overall
examination, security against liability, interaction and communication, gathering of spilled oil
sample, damages to property and environment, and so on. Further, identifying the urgent need for
funding in case of emergency due to spill disaster, the a National Trust Fund for Oil Spill Clean-
Up has also been formulated by the Malaysian government.

Conclusion & Recommendations

The paper has examined the complexities of oil spill disasters and evaluated oil spill and
environmental data in decision-making throughout the stages of response, clean-up and
remediation in Norway, Nigeria and Malaysia. In this regard, this paper has reviewed and
analysed the oil spill contingency plans developed and implemented by these countries. The
response strategies and tools developed by these countries have been established as very useful
to mitigate the negative effects of environment due to oil spill disasters. However, the following
recommendations would also be helpful for these countries.
 Oil Spill Science, Response and Remediation 10

At first, all the countries need to determine, recognise and evaluate thoroughly their strategies
and policies related to clean-up strategy when experiencing any minor or major oil spill incident.
They need to identify their favoured alternative response techniques and tools and any
limitations which might be applied, as an instance, whether the use of chemical would be
allowed and if so, the overall circumstances and situations under which they may be used (such
as, the authorisations required and depth restrictions). The strategies, plans and policies related to
minimisation of oil spill disaster’s impacts should complement the thorough risk assessment of
the disaster and should properly take on the agreed urgencies for protection. For plans setting at
the local level, the coastline types within the plan area should clearly be detailed and the highly
recognised clean-up methods for each deliberated. Some important factors that need to be
considered might comprise the facility value of the spilled location, its overall approachability
and appropriateness for hefty tools and machineries. Besides this, geographical maps and images
of coastline types need to ne integrated within the Information database to reveal where all the
methods and tools could be applied and where constraints might apply. Comprehensive guidance
on each clean-up methods can be added if required.

Moreover, a provision for successfully coping with oiled flora and fauna, specifically fishes and
birds, needs to be prudently taken into consideration and a comprehensive response policy
developed. The contingency plans should integrate clear contact information for care
organisations (vets) and should also recognise the available care and treatment organisations or
operating locally for developing momentary centres.
 Oil Spill Science, Response and Remediation 11

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