Abstract
Given the adverse externalities of hydrocarbon operations, particularly the impacts of oil spills – environmental, political, cultural and socio-economic – the hypothetical simulations of oil spills enhances the study and appreciation of the trajectory and fate of spilled oil in the marine environment; so as to plan timely and cost effective clean-up responses and management strategies. This paper therefore presents the results of a rapid hypothetical simulation of oil spills in Ghana’s coastal waters, and the clean-up technique(s) most applicable in the area. Using MIKE 21, tidal elevations were used as forcing to run the hydrodynamic model, after which a series of hypothetical simulations were conducted with the worst case scenario divulging both the trajectories of the oil slicks and the potential areas to be impacted. The simulation results closely matched the results highlighted in the Phase-1-Development EIA report of the Jubilee Field. Following the simulation, an assessment of the most viable clean-up technique was conducted. Given the geophysical state of the coastal system and the met-ocean conditions, the mechanical recovery method, complemented by bioremediation, is most applicable due to its marginal environmental impacts.
Highlights
The hydrocarbon industry has served the needs of people for decades, and the speedy industrialization in countries like China and India, coupled with the surge in the number of oil-powered machineries and equipment has initiated an increase in the demand for hydrocarbon products [1]
Despite the benefits obtained from hydrocarbons, the adverse impacts are devastating: Numerous news reports supported by anecdotal evidence have shown the overwhelming environmental externalities of hydrocarbons, with the most devastating incidence being the impacts of oil spills on the natural environment, human populations and other living creatures [2], [3]
Using the Jubilee Field as the source, it can be seen in Figure 4 that the wind speeds of 2ms-1 and 5ms-1 presented no case of oil beaching
Summary
The hydrocarbon industry has served the needs of people for decades, and the speedy industrialization in countries like China and India, coupled with the surge in the number of oil-powered machineries and equipment has initiated an increase in the demand for hydrocarbon products [1]. Despite the benefits obtained from hydrocarbons, the adverse impacts are devastating: Numerous news reports supported by anecdotal evidence have shown the overwhelming environmental externalities of hydrocarbons, with the most devastating incidence being the impacts of oil spills on the natural environment, human populations and other living creatures [2], [3]. Historic spill events such as the BP blow-out, the Exxon Valdez [4], Prestige, Amoco Cadiz, among others, have further highlighted the alarming effects of oil spills. Following the results obtained from these simulations, strategic measures are devised in order to effect timely and appropriate emergency responses [5]
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