MAJOR OIL SPILL RESPONSE PROGRAM OF THE PETROLEUM ASSOCIATION OF JAPAN

Abstract

ABSTRACT The Petroleum Association of Japan (PAJ) has been implementing a major oil spill response program since 1991, supported and subsidized by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), from the viewpoint of contributing to a secure, stable oil supply for Japan. PAJ's program consists of the stockpiling and lending of oil spill response equipment, and research and development related to oil spills and response techniques. In the event of major oil spill incidents, PAJ will lend the equipment stockpiled at the base, free of charge, to government agencies or parties concerned upon their request, in order to minimize damages. Those parties who borrow the equipment bear the expense of transportation, deployment, cleanup, and repair. PAJ's purpose is to support initial response operations by supplying additional equipment. To stockpile and to release it, PAJ so far has four domestic and three overseas bases, with domestic bases in Chiba, Mizushima, Yokkaichi, and Niigata, and overseas bases in Julong East, Singapore; Port-Klang, Malaysia; and Al-Khafji, Saudi Arabia. The equipment installed includes oil skimmers (36 units), foamed flotation booms (16,000 m), inflatable booms (7,000 m) and portable tanks (56 units).