APPENDIX G Oil Spill Response Capability in the Arctic
Beaufort Sea Exploration Program Session 15: Oil Spill Response Presented at: Deepwater Drilling Well Control Workshop Inuvik, September 15, 2009
Objective The objective of this session is to demonstrate that an effective oil spill response can be implemented at any time of the year, including during the winter, if a well control incident results in a flow of oil to the surface during the drilling season. Session 15: Oil Spill Response Inuvik, September 15, 2009 2
Overview Progression to Spill Response Control Response Kick Prevention Kick Detection Kick Containment Kick Response Spill Response This session describes: the basis of an Oil Spill Response Plan factors that influence success seasonal response options go-forward planning Session 15: Oil Spill Response Inuvik, September 15, 2009 3
Oil Spill Response Plan Basis The basis of the Oil Spill Response Plan is to: ensure a rapid and sustained response keep oil off shorelines ensure that all options are available for use use the latest research and technologies set specific and realistic design criteria acknowledge that it is not always possible to remove all oil from the environment recognize that natural recovery can be effective in removing oil from the environment apply a net environmental benefits analysis to: reduce environmental impacts reduce impacts on harvested wildlife species Session 15: Oil Spill Response Inuvik, September 15, 2009 4
Factors that Influence Success Factors that influence success include: the safety of response personnel and the public weather conditions the sea state the presence of ice the type and characteristics of oil the volume and duration of a spill the rapid availability of equipment and resources logistics the availability of a trained and experienced workforce and contractors having Imperial s emergency response organization in place Session 15: Oil Spill Response Inuvik, September 15, 2009 5
Response Options Seasonal Response options include: Fall: Containment and recovery by ship-based booms and skimmers Dispersant application on open water, natural and icebreaker-induced leads In situ burning by aerial application of igniters Winter: In situ burning Ice slotting to bring oil to the surface for burning or removal Tracking oil under ice to identify movement for spring response Spring: In situ burning of melt pools Dispersant application in open leads Specialized skimmers for brackish ice conditions Open Water: Dispersant application Recovery by booms and skimmers In situ burning using fireproof booms Mechanical and manual removal of any oil that reaches shorelines Session 15: Oil Spill Response Inuvik, September 15, 2009 6
Go-Forward Planning Oil spill response planning will include responses to all types of spills, volumes and circumstances that could be encountered, including a sustained blowout during the winter Global experience on well-control spills shows that: most spills from well control incidents are small and of short duration some spills might continue for a few days until the well bridges over naturally a sustained release of oil might occur in rare cases Modelling studies of different spill scenarios will be carried out using Beaufort Sea data to aid in planning Ongoing research studies supported by Imperial and ExxonMobil include: 2009 field studies, including developing an understanding of: the effect of the Mackenzie Delta Plume on oil contact with the shoreline oceanographic conditions at the Ajurak site affecting oil dispersion and transport the movement of ice over the Ajurak site through the winter improving response options for the Arctic Session 15: Oil Spill Response Inuvik, September 15, 2009 7
Go-Forward Planning (cont d) Developing a three tier, escalating response capability for oil spill response in the Beaufort Sea, including: Tier 1 vessel and shore base immediate response Tier 2 enhancing regional capability for extended response time Tier 3 national and international support services for longer term response, if needed Working with regulators to ensure that all response options are available Integrating Tier 2 capability with government response organizations Communicating with, and seeking input from, the Inuvialuit on spill response for example, an oil spill workshop is planned for January 14 to 15, 2010, in Inuvik Developing a specific Ajurak Drilling Program Oil Spill Response Plan for: review and feedback by the Inuvialuit approval by regulators Implementing the approved plan before spudding the well, including: purchasing equipment and resources, and stockpiling them on vessels in the region training personnel, and developing and bringing on third parties or contractors conducting periodic field exercises before and during drilling Session 15: Oil Spill Response Inuvik, September 15, 2009 8
Conclusion Safety of response personnel and the public is the first priority. Techniques are available for open water, ice conditions and shoreline response that can be effective in late season and over the winter. All response options have their limitations, so a variety of options will be available to fit the circumstances. Improvements to the spill response capability will result from effective planning, including: reviewing plans with northern regulators and agencies incorporating the latest proven technologies Cover photo istockphoto.com/eric Gevaert Session 15: Oil Spill Response Inuvik, September 15, 2009 9
Emergency Response Model Tiered approach to managing all incidents and significant business disruptions Corporate Support Emergency Support Groups (ESG) HQ ESG Affiliate ESG In-Country/Project Activation Emergency Response Team Corp Business Unit ESG In Country ESG Third Tier Response Full RRT Second Tier Response Co-op/Mutual Aid First Tier Response Local/Site ESG Strategic (Issues Mgmt) Tactical (Incident Mgmt) Increasing Incident Severity ERT Incident Occurs Site Specific ERT 1
Tiered Response Tier 3 (ER is from Facility, Mutual Aid, and Service Agreement Providers) Large and not under control Significant government presence Large environmental impact Human welfare impact Disruption to commerce Global media attention International concern Tier 2 (Emergency Response is from Facility plus Mutual Aid Groups) Large, but under control Mutual-Aid groups activated Third party contractor equipment is needed National media attention Tier 1 (Emergency Response is from Facility or Site) Small and under control On Company Property Local equipment is sufficient Local media attention 2
Global Response Network 3
Global Response Network Compliments Local Efforts Tier 3 Oil Spill Cooperatives provide equipment and expertise to support response operations Single OSRO (e.g., OSRL) can facilitate and coordinate access to services and expertise from all GRN members Mobilize experienced response advisors and specialists to aid field teams in strategic and tactical response decisions Personnel practiced on successful and efficient integration into ongoing Tier1/2 responses Equipment and strategies for on-water containment and recovery that will succeed under diverse and challenging conditions Capacity to store recovered oil & oil/water mixtures on site Equipment, supplies and expertise to support in-situ burning Equipment, supplies and expertise to support dispersant operations 4
Potential Containment and Recovery Resources for Tier2/3 Event OSRO Booms Skimmers Storage Mobilization Issues OSRL/ CCA Significant Offshore and Shoreline Good variety/ numbers for different oils Portable tanks, bladders NARRT authorized to mobilize Tier 2/3 spill resources; Stockpiles already packaged for air transport WCRC/ ECRC Limited Offshore Variety of weir, disc, rope mop Portable tanks, bladders Some equipment dedicated to Area of Interest ; portion of resources released by board ACS 34,000 Offshore +Shore seal Good variety and numbers for different oils, ice stage Portable tanks, bladders, barges Some equipment dedicated to Area of Interest ; portion of resources released by board vote Alyeska/ SERVS Offshore and shoreline Variety of weir, disc, rope mop, advancing Portable tanks, bladders Some equipment dedicated to Area of Interest ; portion of resources released by board vote MSRC Significant Offshore and Shoreline Good variety/ numbers for different oils Portable tanks, bladders Some equipment dedicated to Area of Interest ; portion of resources released by board vote 5
Tier 3 OSRO s Support Burning/Dispersant Operations Majority of GRN OSRO s stockpile igniters to support in-situ burning Majority have technical support personnel to direct field safety All have capability to support dispersant operations from vessel or aircraft platforms Spray systems for small and large vessels Spray systems for helicopters deployment Access to small and large fixed wing aircraft All have access to international stockpiles of dispersants to support operational demand 6
Oil Spill Response Options in Ice 7
Why focus on remotely applied response options? Four broad options for oil-spill response in both ice and open water Observation only Mechanical recovery In situ burning Dispersants remotely applied options Rope mop skimmer 8 LORI skimmer Gulf of Finland spill cleanup with LORI skimmer Mechanical response is challenged by ice
Research on Oil Spill Response in Dynamic Ice Summary findings indicate: Dispersants work in ice given enough mixing energy ExxonMobil s new dispersant gel allows more efficient use of dispersants may triple capacity and allow treatment of cold/viscous oil ASD icebreakers effectively supply mixing energy for dispersion, if needed In-situ burning is effective if ice containment is sufficient Chemical herders extend in-situ burning to lower ice conditions New remote detection concept using NMR may enhance tracking of oil spilled under ice 9