Chemical dispersants within an environment plan and oil pollution emergency plan: practically applying a risk-based approach

Abstract

Chemical dispersant use can be a valid response strategy for marine oil pollution events. This peer-reviewed paper describes how a risk-based approach to planning can be applied practically using the core concepts of risk assessment. Comprehensive and systematic analysis is required in the environment plan to ensure that spill response strategies are in line with risk management requirements in the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Environmental) Regulations. In 2013, an APPEA working group identified the need for work to be undertaken that described this analysis for confirming the viability of chemical dispersant as a response strategy to support the mitigation of a marine oil pollution hazard. A literature review and interviews with oil and gas operators, regulatory agencies and industry service providers provided the basis for the process development. The result of this work is a process that is described in three parts: establish the context and risks; evaluate, demonstrate and define; and, implementation. Two flowcharts, and a description of each step, have been developed to assist planners in providing sufficient information to regulatory agencies assessing and accepting the use of dispersant operations. The information collected during the planning phase in Figure 1 is the basis for the net environmental benefit analysis that is undertaken in the activation phase of a response (Fig. 2). An outcome of this work is a process flow that oil spill planners can use to assess and plan spill response strategies that align with regulatory requirements.