International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Research Articles

Sustainability reporting indicators used by oil and gas companies in GCC countries: IPIECA guidance approach

The purpose of this article is to assess the quality of the sustainability reporting indicators used by oil and gas companies (OGCs) in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. This study utilizes the International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA) guidance as a new robust methodology to assess the quality of sustainability reporting, which is considered a comprehensive benchmark that directly relates to the oil and gas sector. This study conducts a content analysis of the sustainability reports published by OGCs in GCC countries for the 2016–2018 period. The results reveal that the quality of the sustainability indicators disclosed by companies is largely unsuitable. The results also show that companies fail to report detailed information on environmental indicators as the most important category for OGCs. The findings demonstrate that most OGCs in Qatar pay more attention to sustainable reporting indicators than the OGCs in other GCC countries. This study successfully addresses many previously outstanding issues regarding the quality of the sustainability reporting indicators used by OGCs in GCC countries. Hence, the findings paint a clear picture of the situation so that regulators, policymakers, and managers can correct the existing shortcomings in the quality of sustainability reporting and promote sustainability reporting guidance best practices.

Early warnings and emerging accountability: Total’s responses to global warming, 1971–2021

Building upon recent work on other major fossil fuel companies, we report new archival research and primary source interviews describing how Total responded to evolving climate science and policy in the last 50 years. We show that Total personnel received warnings of the potential for catastrophic global warming from its products by 1971, became more fully informed of the issue in the 1980s, began promoting doubt regarding the scientific basis for global warming by the late 1980s, and ultimately settled on a position in the late 1990s of publicly accepting climate science while promoting policy delay or policies peripheral to fossil fuel control. Additionally, we find that Exxon, through the International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA), coordinated an international campaign to dispute climate science and weaken international climate policy, beginning in the 1980s. This represents one of the first longitudinal studies of a major fossil fuel company’s responses to global warming to the present, describing historical stages of awareness, preparation, denial, and delay.

Climate change mitigation information disclosure of oil & gas sector in India: A perception analysis

Greenhouse gas (GHG) information of business activities disclosed in corporate annual reports lack consistency in content due to variability of perceptions on environmental issues among company executives. Prior studies examined factors affecting environmental disclosures by comparing different firm characteristics, but no reference of executives' perceptions on climate change disclosures was identified in the existing literature. This study aimed at investigating perceptions of executives from 26 listed oil and gas (O&G) companies on climate change mitigation (CCM) information disclosures in annual reports. A questionnaire was constructed referring to the sustainability reporting framework of International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA) to receive responses from executives of the sample O&G companies. The study revealed that the executives of O&G companies across different value chains perceived materiality for disclosure for all the four climate change indicators- GHG emission, energy use, renewable energy, and flared gases. Significant differences in mean scores of CCM information disclosures existed within four groups of executives holding different positions as well as executives who had different levels of knowledge about annual reports. This study puts forward that climate change mitigation disclosures in annual reports gets affected by level of positions held by executives in their respective companies and their level of knowledge of annual report.

Reuse of Produced Water Grows in the Oil and Gas Industry

This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Judy Feder, contains highlights of paper SPE 199498, “Reuse of Produced Water in the Oil and Gas Industry,” by Madeleine Gray, International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association, prepared for the 2020 SPE International Conference and Exhibition on Health, Safety, Environment, and Sustainability, originally scheduled to be held in Bogota, Colombia, 28-30 July. The paper has not been peer reviewed. The onshore oil and gas industry investigates new and improved ways to manage the supply and disposal of produced water continually. Within oil and gas operations, produced water increasingly is being recycled and reused for enhanced oil recovery, drilling, and well stimulation. The growing global demand for water resources also is creating interest in reusing produced water outside oil and gas operations. The complete paper focuses on sources of produced water from conventional and unconventional onshore oil and gas operations and addresses the challenges and opportunities associated with reusing the produced water. Introduction Produced water is water that is brought to surface during oil and natural-gas production. It includes formation, flowback, and condensation water. Produced water varies in composition and volume from one formation to another and is often managed as a waste material requiring disposal. In recent years, increased demand for, and regional variability of, available water resources, along with sustainable water-supply planning, have driven interest in reusing produced water with or without treatment to meet requirements within the industry or by external users. Reuse of produced water can provide important economic, social, and environmental benefits, particularly in water-scarce regions. It can be used for hydraulic fracturing, waterflooding, and enhanced oil recovery, decreasing the demand for other sources of water. However, reuse for offsite, non-oilfield applications such as crop irrigation, wildlife and livestock consumption, industrial processes, and power generation, is subject to a variety of constraints and risks. Practical considerations for offsite reuse include supply and demand and regulatory, infrastructural, economic, legal, social, and environmental factors. Sources, Chemical Properties, and Management of Produced Water The information contained in the paper is based on an internal survey conducted by the International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA) of 14 of its member companies, interviews with selected external stakeholders covering a range of sectors and geographic regions, and a literature review of readily available information. The external stakeholders were identified from the membership survey as well as from IPIECA and consultant experience. Sources and Volumes. Onshore oil and gas operations generate millions of barrels of produced water each day world-wide. The composition and flow of produced water can differ dramatically from one source to another.

An approach to environmental sensitivity index study at coastal area toward oil spill accident: A case study on the northern and southern coast of Madura Island

Coastal resources and their local community economic activities are prone to oil spills pollution from tanker accidents or unappropriated operational procedures from the oil and gas industry. This study was aimed to develop supporting a prevention strategy to minimize damage and to ensure vulnerable natural resources and the local community in coastal areas are protected. Two methodologies applied to perform an integrated Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) named IPIECA (International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association) method and methodology that was developed by an expert from the Center of Coastal and Marine Resources Studies, IPB University (CESI, Composite ESI). The area study was located in the coastal area of Madura Island, East Java Province. Various ecosystems, shoreline types, and coastal area utilizing types have resulted in many combinations of ESI. The highest level of sensitivity will be prompted by the existence of an important ecosystem and economically land use utilizing. The important ecosystems, such as mangrove ecosystems, will result in more sensitive areas in IPIECA criteria than in CESI criteria. Consistently, in terms of socio-economic activities, land use, which has high production value and a high amount of persons employed, will be categorized as a very sensitive area.

Management System Approach Aims To Meet Human Rights Expectations

This article, written by Editorial Manager Adam Wilson, contains highlights of paper SPE 164979, ’Management Systems Approach to Managing Human Rights Issues,’ by Tam Nguyen, Chevron, Bert Fokkema, Shell, Julie Vallat, Total, and Roper Cleland, IPIECA, prepared for the 2013 SPE European HSE Conference and Exhibition, London, 16-18 April. The paper has not been peer reviewed. A range of external expectations exists for companies to demonstrate how they respect human rights, including having business processes in place to prevent or mitigate human rights issues caused by the company’s projects or operations. The International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA) has responded to the emergence of external guidelines in connection to implementing human rights due diligence by improving existing management systems and processes. Background United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights were developed through an iterative process spanning 6 years and involving extensive stakeholder consultation. In the first stage of the work, John Ruggie, United Nations special representative to the secretary-general, conducted 3 years of research to develop the global Protect, Respect, and Remedy Framework on business and human rights. Ruggie developed the framework to help clarify the distinct roles of states and businesses in human rights. It rests on three interdependent pillars—the state duty to protect against human rights abuses by third parties through regulation and legislation; the corporate responsibility to respect human rights through due diligence; and the need for citizens to have access to effective remedy, both judicial and nonjudicial. The United Nations Human Rights Council endorsed the framework in 2008. Upon endorsement, Ruggie established the United Nations Guiding Principles. The principles supplement the framework by outlining how governments should meet their duties and how companies should demonstrate their responsibilities. IPIECA’s Business and Human Rights Initiative. IPIECA launched a 3-year business and human rights project that leverages the collective experience and practical knowledge of its members. The objectives of the project are to Support the organizational capability of IPIECA members in two focus areas, company due diligence and community-level grievance mechanisms Serve as the authoritative reference body for the oil and gas industry on business and human rights issues, including the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and other relevant external guidelines

New Edition Offers Guidance on Sustainability Reporting

The second edition of Oil and Gas Industry Guidance on Voluntary Sustainability Reporting has been issued by the International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA), the American Petroleum Institute (API), and the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (OGP). An IPIECA Reporting Task Force, made up of more than 75 individuals from 20 IPIECA member companies and five trade associations, undertook the task of updating the guidelines from 2007 to 2010. The guidance was developed to share good practice across the industry and to encourage companies, both current and new reporters, to keep their stakeholders informed about their performance. The task force identified important and practical ways to measure sustainability performance in the oil and gas industry, including technical indicators. The second edition reflects feedback and improvements in reporting practices from many sources within and outside the industry. A fundamental part of the revision process was the involvement of an external stakeholder panel that advised on both the process and content of the guidance to ensure the delivery of an end product that was substantial, instructive, and credible. The panel consisted of leading experts in sustainability reporting practices and represented views of typical report reader groups, including business and industry, environmental and community-oriented nongovernmental organizations, investors, and multilateral institutions. The panel was asked to assess the quality, credibility, and effectiveness of the revision process and to provide ideas for improvement, and candid, significant, and challenging input was received. A joint statement from the stakeholder panel is included in the guidance. How to Report? The guidance recognizes that the industry includes differing types and sizes of multinational and national companies that face specific social and environmental challenges in different locations and that certain sustainability issues will be more important to some companies than to others. It places more emphasis in this revision on reporting as an engagement process and encourages companies to determine the issues that are most important for reporting to their own stakeholders. A range of issues are covered by the indicators that allow companies a choice on the depth and detail to be communicated. A significant front section on how to report has been included to assist those companies reporting for the first time as well as more experienced companies expanding their level of reporting. By providing flexibility and consistency, the guidance aims to serve both new and experienced reporters while avoiding the pitfalls of formulaic reporting. To support companies in communicating the issues of most interest to their stakeholders, the second edition of the guidance contains the following tools: A six-step reporting process, including a “materiality” step to determine the most important issues for reporting. A set of issues and indicators likely to be relevant for reporting by oil and gas companies. Three levels of reporting elements within each indicator to provide options that enable consistent reporting across the industry.

Assessment of greenhouse gas mitigation options and costs for California Petroleum Industry facilities: The shape of things to come

The California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 sets a goal for the state to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. In preparation for implementation of a cap and trade program under this Act, Chevron has undertaken a detailed assessment of greenhouse gas mitigation options and costs. Such an assessment is key to making compliance decisions within the constraints of a given cap and trade regime. If the cap and trade market is minimally restricted (i.e., recognizes that climate change is a global issue and thus has no geographic restrictions and no set requirement for onsite emission reductions), facilities can make the best economic (and environmental) choices of where to ‘make’ emission reductions inside the facility fenceline and when to ‘buy’ the emission reduction allowances or credits on the market. The scope of the study included Chevron’s two refineries and a large heavy oil steamflood production operation in California. This paper will discuss how mitigation technologies are identified and assessed, describe some of the key greenhouse gas mitigation alternatives of interest to the Chevron California facilities and present a business-based approach to analyzing mitigation costs. Technologies studied included energy efficiency, advanced energy (solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, nuclear, low temperature heat recovery) and carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS). For each mitigation option, a consistent methodology, based on the International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association/American Petroleum Institute (IPIECA/API) Guidelines for Evaluation of Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Projects was used to assess baseline or ‘business as usual’ emissions, net emission reductions due to the project, capital cost, operating cost and any project benefits (e.g., reduced fuel use for energy efficiency projects). These values were then entered into a business evaluation tool to calculate a Net Present Value for each option. Key conclusions: Broad involvement of various disciplines is needed to identify new alternatives for greenhouse gas mitigation technologies. Other than CCS, options for significant reductions of refinery and petroleum production emissions were extremely limited in the facilities studied. Since cost-effective, feasible options are limited for refineries and petroleum production facilities, availability of sufficient allowances and offsets is an important element if state goals are to be achieved. Although a number of energy efficiency projects were identified, the cumulative total emissions reductions available through energy efficiency projects is minimal. Renewable and advanced energy projects that generate electricity generally have very high mitigation costs, and may not greatly benefit facilities if emission caps apply only to direct emissions, since these projects reduce the quantity of purchased electricity rather than emissions from the facility itself (and are therefore not eligible for credit under most regulatory design schemes). Renewable and advanced energy technologies for steam generation may have significant mitigation potential for heavy oil steamflood production. Further development and demonstration is needed to determine whether these technologies will be viable. In order to support good business decisions, it is important that greenhouse gas mitigation technology evaluation be done in a manner consistent with other business evaluation processes.

Harmonizing the quantification of CCS GHG emission reductions through oil and natural gas industry project guidelines

Abstract The technological option of capturing CO 2 from large point sources, compressing, transporting, and injecting it for long -term storage holds the potential for playing a key role in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while providing affordable energy. The oil and natur al gas industry experience and expertise provide confidence in carbon capture and geological storage (CCS) as an effective GHG emission mitigation option. However, companies need consistent, reliable, and credible methodologies to derive GHG emission and emission reduction estimates. Harmonizing the quantification of GHG emission reductions, by applying common principles and criteria, supports efficient and consistent development of additional project activities. This paper provides an overview of the P etroleum Industry Guidelines for Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Projects (referred to as the Project Guidelines), a collaborative effort between the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA) to develop guidelines for accounting and reporting of GHG emission reduction projects of interest to the oil and natural gas industry. Key concepts from the Project Guidelines for evaluating, quantifying, documenting, and reporting GHG emission reductions are presented with a specific focus on CCS activities. The paper draws from the Project Guidelines in add ressing the selection of appropriate baseline candidates, boundaries for scenario assessment, and compatible monitoring considerations. Case studies are used to demonstrate the application of commonly accepted emission reduction principles for CCS projects. Through the Project Guidelines, API and IPIECA aim to assist the petroleum industry in identifying, assessing, and developi ng CCS projects. By working toward consistent standards for GHG emissions reductions, our industry demonstrates its commitments toward environmental improvements and p romotes the development of real and sustainable actions to reduce GHG emissions.

Oil and Gas Industry Efforts on Behalf of Human Rights and Sustainable Development

Pillars of the Industry Richard Sykes, Executive Secretary of the International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association, weighs in on human rights and sustainability.

THE IPIECA OIL SPILL WORKING GROUP 20:20 VISION REFLECTIONS AND PROJECTIONS ON OUR 20TH ANNIVERSARY

ABSTRACT The International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA) Oil Spill Working Group (OSWG) is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Its mission has been, through education, training and awareness initiatives, to enhance the state of preparedness and response to marine oil spill incidents in priority coastal locations around the world. Its programme is carried out in close cooperation with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and operates within the context of the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Cooperation (OPRC), 1990. The OSWG is made up of oil spill managers and specialists from IPIECA member companies and associations, supported by invited representatives from other organisations in the oil spill response community. It aims to ensure that the full range of industry interests is adequately reflected in its work programme. Coordination between these industry-based organisations and the IMO remains an essential ingredient in the success of the OSWG programme This paper reviews the main activities and achievements of the IPIECA OSWG over the last 20 years and attempt to illustrate and measure the impact of its work on global oil spill preparedness. We then hypothesize as to how the work of the IPIECA OSWG might develop over the next 20 years, which could serve as future strategic/planning guidance.

THE IMO/IPIECA GLOBAL INITIATIVE: OVERCOMING THE BARRIERS TO EFFECTIVE PREPAREDNESS

ABSTRACT Formally launched in 1996, the Global Initiative (GI) is an umbrella programme under which International Maritime Organization (IMO) and International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA) are working together to encourage/facilitate the development and implementation of contingency plans and increase ratification of related international conventions. Other organizations also participate in and support the GI, including Governments, the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation Limited, the International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds, various regional bodies and local oil industry. IMO, a specialized agency of the United Nations, works closely with member State Governments and the international shipping regulatory community to improve the safety and security of international shipping and to protect the marine environment from shipping-related sources of pollution. GI has been active since 1996 and its achievements are encouraging; countries have made significant progress in both elaboration and further development of national response systems and strategies. GI also assists in efficiently targeting donor agency funds and in leveraging such funds. It is important to recognise that the GI is a long-term process.

HIV/AIDS disclosures by oil and gas companies

This paper is an empirical study of the extent of Human Immunodeficiency Virus/ Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Disclosures (HIV/AIDSD) by oil and gas companies of the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (IAOGP) and the International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA). The anti‐HIV/AIDS activities of 29 IAOGP/IPIECA companies as reported in their year‐ending 2005 annual reports are analysed using an HIV/AIDSD index that is adapted from an International Labour Organisation HIV/AIDS workplace protocol checklist for an oil and gas industry context. The descriptive statistics analysis reveals a very low level of overall HIV/AIDSD practices (12.6%) with the majority of the oil and gas companies making no HIV/AIDSD (17 out of 29 entities). This finding indicates that anti‐HIV/AIDSD are not regarded as a primary consideration in the information context of some of the prominent OGP/IPIECA companies’ annual reports, a piquant result given IAOGP/IPIECA's commitment to anti‐HIV/AIDS programs. Further analysis reveals that Care & Support is the most disclosed broad HIV/AIDSD category in the annual reports while Testing, arguably a crucially important issue, is the least disclosed. The simple regression model reveals that a company's breadth of location is a statistically significant predictor of HIV/AIDSD, an important finding for health bodies wishing to enjoin large companies in anti‐HIV/AIDS campaigns.

The International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association social responsibility working group and human rights

This chapter describes how the oil and gas industry is responding to one specific challenge to sustainable development – the promotion of human rights. The human rights activities and practices of the industry fall into three categories: direct responsibility, shared responsibility and indirect influence. Specific responses to human rights issues are illustrated through case studies from some of the member companies of the International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association. The chapter demonstrates that the oil and gas industry has achieved substantial progress in establishing and implementing human rights policies and practices. However, the debate between industry, representatives of civil society and governments over the roles, responsibilities and accountability for human rights of transnational corporations in general, and of the oil and gas industry in particular, continues. While under international law the responsibility to protect human rights rests primarily with governments, companies and others, including non‐governmental organisations and multilateral organisations, can support human rights. The industry recognises the need to develop measures to help address human rights challenges and that this effort will require co‐operation and shared responsibility among all relevant actors.

RESEARCH AND COMMUNICATIONS RESOURCE – THE BLACK SEA AND CASPIAN SEA ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION CENTER ( HTTP://PIMS.ED.ORNL.GOV)

ABSTRACT Prevention of oil spills and effective action in the case of a spill are crucial to protecting and maintaining the environment. Up-to-date, reliable, and easily accessible research and information are extremely important and help to ensure a united front of preparation and to facilitate remedial action should a spill occur. The better the information available, the better the chance for prevention and, in the event of a spill, efficient and effective cleanup. The Interspill 2004 conference in Trondheim, Norway, hosted a U.S.-Russian Workshop on Oil Spill Prevention and Response. The workshop, which focused on dispersants, was the culmination of agreements signed by U.S. Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham and Russian Minister of Energy Igor Yusufov to discuss energy issues of interest to both countries and to implement the oil spill prevention and response agreement developed between the United States and Russia. To assist the participants and in concert with the workshop, the Black Sea and Caspian Sea Environmental Information Center (http://pims.ed.ornl.gov) posted relevant material from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA), the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation (ITOPF), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the U.S. Coast Guard. Although this web site offers information on region- and country-specific initiatives, its usefulness is far-reaching—the Center's information on oil spill prevention and response, research and development, and communications and related technologies have worldwide applications. Indeed, more than a hundred organizations from all over the world have registered, and interested organizations are encouraged to do the same to promote their technologies, services, or research activities. The site is being accessed at roughly 1,000 hits per day from 115 countries all over world. During July 2004, there were more than 40,000 hits on the web site. The oil industry strongly supports the information center and has representatives participate in all of its workshops. The Center is intended to be used as a tool to provide a comprehensive source of information:It publishes results and lists participants of several workshops.It hosts online “real-time” meetings that allow participants to plan structured meetings at an optimal time across different time zones.It provides information on oil spill prevention, cleanup, monitoring, and related commercial technologies and offers on-line discussions of these issues.It provides information about the laws, regulations, and standards of various countries relating to the environmental condition of the sea.It posts relevant published scientific papers.It publishes lists of participants working on Black Sea and Caspian Sea environmental issues.It is home to a growing database of historical pollution-testing data from research institutes in the region.

IMO-INDUSTRY GLOBAL INITIATIVE: AN UPDATE

ABSTRACT The Global Initiative (GI) is a joint program between the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the oil industry, represented by the International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA). The program's primary purpose is to initiate and catalyze national governments to ratify the relevant international Conventions relating to oil pollution and work together with local oil industry in their oil spill contingency planning efforts. The GI has been formally running since 1996. So far, the achievements are encouraging; countries that had not conceived national plans or developed a national response system and strategy have made significant progress. GI also assists the efficient targeting of donor agency funds and can help leverage such funds. The experience gained and results attained are good examples that can be replicated elsewhere at both the national and regional levels. However, it is important to recognize that the GI is a long-term process and that one should not concentrate on its short-term achievements.

Co-Operative Planning Approach: A South-West Atlantic Frontier Exploration Area

ABSTRACT Oil industry alliances bring benefits in various fields, including emergency planning. The benefits will include consistency in oil spill response plans and procedures, plus potential cost savings. Government, organisations and groups involved will appreciate a single and comprehensive consultative process. Time and money will be saved, plan formats will be consistent and there will be less scope for confusion. Partnership building will be stronger and more effective. This paper will use a case study of cooperative oil spill contingency planning in the south-west Atlantic to illustrate these points. The Falkland Islands archipelago lies in the south-west Atlantic, approximately 400 km east of the tip of the South American mainland. In 1996 the Falkland Islands Government (FIG) undertook its first round of oil exploration licensing and awarded acreage. Four of the successful operating companies formed the Falklands Operators Sharing Agreement (FOSA). This co-operation extended to a number of areas, including a joint approach to oil spill contingency planning. Oil Spill Response Limited (OSRL) worked with FOSA to produce a generic oil spill contingency plan, to function for all the companies and differ only in its emergency contact section. The contingency planning process closely followed the guidelines promulgated by the International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA, 1991) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO, 1995). A key factor was liaison with groups on the Islands and interfacing with the new Falkland Islands national oil spill contingency plan, which this paper will introduce.

International Oil Industry Approach To Response Planning: The Mediterranean Oil Industry Group

ABSTRACT Environmental issues have long been recognised as international problems that do not respect borders and cannot be handled at a country level without impacting on other nations and territories. The environmental issue of preventing and responding to oil spill incidents crosses international boundaries and affects all countries. Even countries that produce or consume minimal amounts of petroleum products may be at risk due to the transportation of large quantities of oil from producing countries to the consuming countries. The international oil industry, through the programme of the International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association's (IPIECA) is engaged in an effort aimed at enhancing the state of preparedness and response to marine oil spill incidents in coastal locations around the world. The international oil industry approach to response planning is based on the international conventions related to oil spill response and compensation, the Tiered Response concept and the importance of partnerships with all parties. This paper summarises the international oil industry approach to contingency planning, which has been developed by IPIECA over the past 10 years, with a special focus on activities carried out in the Mediterranean region.

CONTINGENCY PLANNING FOR OIL SPILL RESPONSE: A PROGRAM OF JOINT IMO/OIL INDUSTRY REGIONAL SEMINARS

ABSTRACT Cooperative efforts between the oil industry and governments at the national and local levels have resulted in a series of reports for both technical and general audiences on subjects relating to oil spills, as well as an ongoing series of government/industry regional seminars for senior executives. The seminars emphasize the crucial importance of joint government/industry attention to contingency planning. These activities, which are continuing, are organized under the auspices of an International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association working group, and the International Maritime Organization. Feedback is solicited from seminar participants for use in planning further seminars and to give the IMO a clear picture of follow up activities that have resulted from the seminars.