ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF A SUPERTANKER PORT

This paper describes a study of the environmental aspects of an offshore supertanker port. The methodology for conducting the environmental assessment is presented and is applicable to any site, although Texas Gulf Coast sites are examined for illustrative purposes. Since there are several feasible site locations and many different sea and wind conditions to consider, components of a computer programmed model are being developed to evaluate the relative impact of one site over another. The environmental inventory was completed and indexed on a 3-mile grid square base for the Gulf area and 3-mile sections along the beach for the coastal features. Utilizing available wind and water current data, a model was developed for predicting the probability that the oil will reach a specific grid element from a given spill site. Depending on the size of the spill and the sea conditions, it is assumed that the environmental impact will be reduced by the latest developments for control and containment of oil at sea. For each grid element, the probability of oil reaching that point is determined along with the approximate travel time of the oil. The reduction in oil toxicity due to evaporation, solution, and decay is included. Although adequate information was not available from existing literature to accurately evaluate the impact of an oil spill on the environment, for the purpose of this preliminary environmental assessment, the methodology was developed and missing data were assumed when necessary. Conclusions and recommendations based on this study are summarized.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Presented at the 1973 Offshore Technology Conference, Houston, Tex., April 30-May 2, 1973.
• Corporate Authors:

  Offshore Technology Conference

  6200 North Central Expressway
  Dallas, TX  United States  45206
• Authors:
  • James, W P
  • Hann Jr, R W
• Conference:
  • Presented at the 1973 Offshore Technology Conference, Houston, Tex., April 30-May 2, 1973.
• Publication Date: 1973-4

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 119-128
• Serial:
  • Volume: 1

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Environmental impact analysis; Environmental impacts; Monitoring; Offshore terminals; Oil spill cleanup; Oil spills; Petroleum terminals; Superports
• Geographic Terms: Gulf Coast (United States)
• Old TRIS Terms: Biological effects (Oil); Oil spill behavior; Oil spill monitoring
• Subject Areas: Environment; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00054064
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Maritime Research Center, Galveston
• Report/Paper Numbers: OTC #1734
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 7 1974 12:00AM