Transcript Decision tree for use of dispersants

Application of dispersants on
oil spills in the North Sea
Workshop: The Hague, October 2, 2007
Wageningen IMARES is een
samenwerkingsverband tussen
Wageningen UR en TNO
Workshop program
10.00 Word of welcome by ir. L. Bijlsma (director Waterdienst)
10.15 Opening and introduction
10.30 Lectures
14.00 Subgroup discussions
15.45 Plenary presentation
16.30 Evaluation and closure
Announcements
Word of welcome
ir. L. Bijlsma (director Waterdienst)
Application of dispersants on oil
spills in the North Sea
Introduction
Wageningen IMARES is een
samenwerkingsverband tussen
Wageningen UR en TNO
Workshop objective



Learn…
Discuss…
Recommend…
from other countries
about application in NL
on a Dutch decision tree
…to arrive at a Decision Tree for the use of
dispersants on the Dutch Continental Shelf
Capaciteitsnota 2006-2010

Objective



How prepared is RWS for combating oil spills
Which and where updating is required
Background

Goals defined in ‘Nota bestrijding milieugevaarlijke stoffen Noordzee
2000-2010’



Capacity is determined by protection of vulnerable areas
National and international experience (e.g. Erika, Prestige)
New in the Capaciteitsnota:

Use of chemical dispersants
Torrey Canyon 1967
• 14.000 tonnes oil reached shoreline
• 10.000 tonnes industrial dispersants
Considerations for selection of strategy



Analysis of the threat
Assessment of (meteorological) conditions
Evaluation of regional vulnerability
Use of dispersants



Basic strategy is mechanical combatement
Deployement of UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency,
according to Bonn Agreement
Coverage of DCS within 8 hours
To Spray or not To Spray?

When is use of dispersants considered




possible?
acceptable?
feasible?
Decision tree
Decision trees: To Spray or not To Spray?

Source:
CEDRE 2005
Decision trees: To Spray or not To Spray?

Source:
TNO 2004
Decision trees: To Spray or not To Spray?

Source:
TNO 2004
Decision trees: To Spray or not To Spray?
WILL DISPERSANTS WORK?
1. Should dispersants be used on the type of
spilled oil?
NO
YES
2. Is the spilled oil of a type that is dispersible?
NO
DO NOT
USE
DISPERSANTS
YES
3. Is the oil likely to be within the time “window of
opportunity’ for dispersant use?
NO
YES
4. Are the sea conditions suitable for dispersion?
YES
NO
USE DISPERSANTS

Source:
Lewis, 2007
Workshop objective
1.
2.
3.
Learn…
Discuss…
Formulate recommendations…
…to arrive at a Decision Tree for the use of
dispersants on the DCS
1. Learn

What are dispersants (Lewis)

Which response options are in use (Huisman)

Strategic/operational aspects of aircraft
application (Frances)

Vulnerability of the North Sea (v Dalfsen)
2. Discuss

Approval of dispersants

Bird vs fish debate

Dealing with operational restrictions

Monitoring of (short- and longterm) effects
3. Formulate recommendations
formulate suggestions and recommendations
to be used when developing a Decision Tree
for use on the Dutch Continental Shelf
Workshop program - Lectures
10.30
Different aspects of oil spill dispersants
Alun Lewis, Oil Spill Consultant
11.15
Current practice in response methods in the Bonn
Agreement
Sjon Huisman, Rijkswaterstaat
11.45
Strategic & operational aspects of the application by
aircraft
Chris Frances, Maritime Coastguard Agency UK
12.30 – 13.30 Lunch
13.30
Ecological sensitivity in the Dutch part of the North Sea
Jan van Dalfsen, IMARES
Workshop program – Subgroup sessions
14.00
Subgroup work

Each divides 5 points (stickers) over subgroup questions
Discussion start with highest rated question
Each provides 1 recommendation on Post-It note

Each is invited to answer other questions after the workshop!


Sessions
1.
2.
3.
4.
Which criteria are important for the approval of specific dispersant products
How can different types of ecological impact of (un/)dispersed oil be compared
How can we deal with the operational restrictions in using dispersants
How should short and long term effects of dispersed oil be monitored
15.15
Break and demo’s
15.45
16.30
Presentation of subgroup results
Evaluation and closing words