Abstract The Institute of Petroleum has consistently provided for the exchange of knowledge and opinions on technical matters of a non-commercial nature relating to the oil industry. It has also provided a link between Government departments and the U.K. oil industry on a wide variety of technical matters ranging from measurement, sampling and testing to the conditions of license for the storage of petroleum spirit (gasoline). It is not surprising therefore that the Institute is the focal point of coordination between U.K. oil companies on the prevention of pollution by oil and provides a link between these oil companies, interested Government departments, the tanker industry and a number of international organizations. This paper traces the development of the Institute's role in the field of prevention of oil pollution and reviews the present position of cooperative research and response plans.