PROMOTING OIL SPILL PREPAREDNESS IN EGYPT: JOINT GOVERNMENT/INDUSTRY EXERCISE

Abstract

ABSTRACT In October 1996, Mobil, Amoco, and Amoco's Egyptian joint venture partner, Gupco (Gulf of Suez Petroleum Company), conducted a tier III oil spill exercise with key government authorities, including the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) and the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC). This joint exercise represented a significant step forward in promoting global government and industry cooperation in preparedness and response to major oil spills. The exercise involved high-level decision makers from key Egyptian government agencies charged with responding to oil spills. Other participants were local, regional, and international tier II and III consultants and contractors, including responders from Oil Spill Response Limited (OSRL) in Southampton, England. During the exercise, onshore response equipment was deployed, and civil aviation, customs, and immigration issues related to air transport of equipment and mobilization of personnel to Egypt were tested. Technical resources from the Integrated Simulators Complex in Alexandria, Egypt, were used by the response team in developing strategies to deal with the oil spill scenario. Professional media personnel were used to test issues pertaining to government and public affairs. This exercise, which was observed by the Egyptian Red Sea governor and the U.S. ambassador, demonstrates that Egyptian authorities are working to become a “center of excellence” in oil spill preparedness for the Middle East, Eastern Mediterranean, and North African region.