SYSTEMS STUDY OF OIL SPILL CLEANUP PROCEDURES. VOLUME 1: ANALYSIS OF OIL SPILLS AND CONTROL MATERIALS

The intent of this study, as part of the American Petroleum Institute-sponsored research and development program on oil spill cleanup, was to provide members of the petroleum industry with an independent examination of the means currently available for controlling an oil spill along with recommendations as to the organization and procedures which appear to be most effective. This has been a paper study in that the evaluation of items was based upon available information and no actual physical testing of materials or systems was carried out. The materials and systems considered in the report obviously should be field tested to further examine their apparent effectiveness. In addition, no consideration was given to possible difficulties from legal, insurance or liability standpoints concerning the use of various cleanup materials and techniques. The information included in this report is, therefore, limited and furthermore covers only one aspect of the broad subject of oil spill control, that of apparent effectiveness of control materials and techniques for use in rough water conditions. This study has been directed primarily toward the problems presented by a major spill of heavy oil in open water comparable to the situation resulting from the TORREY CANYON or the OCEAN EAGLE casualties. A major spill was defined as a spill of 2,000 barrels ( 84,000 gallons ) or more of a heavy or persistent oil which will not naturally evaporate or disperse rapidly in the environment. The overall objective of this study has been to develop for the petroleum industry an effective plan for oil spill control action to enable the industry to be prepared today to combat a massive oil spill in the offshore waters of the United States. The approach taken in carrying out this system analysis was to study past oil spills to determine a ) their characteristics, and b ) the apparent effectiveness of the control methods employed on these spills. This was followed by an analysis of presently available control equipment, treating agents, and techniques. Based on this analysis, Dillingham then organized a control approach which utilizes those oil spill control components which appear to be most suitable for use in open water.

• Corporate Authors:

  Dillingham Corporation

  Box 1560
  La Jolla, CA  United States  92037

  American Petroleum Institute

  1271 Avenue of the Americas
  New York, NY  United States  10020
• Authors:
  • Gilmore, George A
  • Smith, David D
  • Rice, Alan H
  • Shenton, E H
  • Moser, William H
• Publication Date: 1970-2

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 89 p.
• Serial:
  • Volume: 1

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Oil spill cleanup
• Old TRIS Terms: Oil spill control
• Subject Areas: Environment; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00007185
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: 4024 Final Rpt.
• Contract Numbers: OS-1
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 25 1973 12:00AM