OILMAP: Oil Spill Model and Response System Overview

OILMAP interface displaying oil spill trajectory for Southern California

When oil is spilled in the marine environment, a primary concern is where the oil will go. OILMAP provides rapid predictions of the movement of spilled oil. OILMAP is a user-friendly oil spill model system designed for oil spill response and contingency planning. It includes simple graphical procedures for entering spill information and connects to on-line weather forecast servers for accurate wind and current data. OILMAP uses a variety of electronic chart systems, including global nautical CMAP charts from Jeppesen Marine and is also compatible with ESRI GIS software. The power of OILMAP to rapidly provide oil spill trajectory predictions anywhere in the world makes oil spill modelling accessible to the oil and gas industry, shipping companies and government agencies. OILMAP was developed over 15 years ago and continues to evolve as a tool that integrates the latest in science and maritime technology. OILMAP has been proven as a response tool for oil spills all over the world.

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Background On 24

March 1989 the 300 meter supertanker Exxon Valdez, grounded on Bligh Reef Prince

William Sound Alaska, spilling 11 million gallons (approximately 42 million liters). In the first 3 days of the spill, since the weather and sea conditions were mild, the slick remained in a small area near the site of the grounding. However, prior to personnel and adequate response equipment could be deployed (booms, skimmers and recovery vessels), a winter storm hit with high seas and winds of 50 knots. The initial 6 km slick had spread to 64 km within hours. Two-days after the winds had subsided; the spill had spread over hundreds of square kilometers (Gilbert 1998). Essentially, the responders failed to plan and such the spill devastated the region. Very sensitive ecology, wildlife and the pristine waters of the Islands and foreshores along Prince William Sound were contaminated.

Following the 1989 Exxon Valdez spill, a group of companies (Exxon, Chevron, Mobil, Environment Canada, US Army Corp of Engineers, Canadian Petroleum Association), recognized the need for a fast and accurate prediction modeling tool to assist with decision support. In turn Applied Science Associates Inc, were commissioned to develop an oil spill model to support effective response planning and to minimize damage in the event of an oil spill. This model was OILMAP. Since then OILMAP, has become the most used and sought after oil spill model around the world and is used internationally by all major oil companies, governments, universities and research organizations. Some of the national government organizations that use OILMAP within the Asia-Pacific region include, Australian (Maritime Safety Authority), Singapore (Maritime Port Authority), Thailand (Pollution Control Department), South Korean (Korea Maritime University), Hong Kong (Pollution Control Department), China (Maritime Safety Authority), Japan (Safety and Environment Commission) and New Zealand (Maritime Safety Authority). OILMAP is also considered the World-Wide Industry Standard oil spill model, and many of the large oil companies rely only on OILMAP for oil spill predictions, including Chevron, Exxon, ConocoPhillips, Shell and Agip. OILMAP is used in over 40 countries around the world by more than 200 licensed users. It has been applied to hundreds of spills varying in size globally.

OILMAP spill trajectory with CMAP Charts

OILMAP running in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

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The OILMAP System The standard system is delivered with an oil spill trajectory and fates model, environmental data tools and visualization tool. The oil spill model predicts the surface trajectory of spilled oil for either instantaneous or continuous release spills. The model includes algorithms for oil spreading, evaporation, emulsification, entrainment, and oil-shoreline interaction. The distribution and mass balance of oil with respect to time are predicted for the type of oil spilled. The user can update the predictions of the model to agree with observed oil locations through the addition of GIS polygons. A variety of graphically based tools are included which allow the user to:

specify spill scenarios display spill trajectories select from a database of oil types Use the Response Calculator to model response activities Connect to on-line forecasting services

The model uses an integrated GIS system that allows the user to display and manipulate point, line, and area data geographically referenced to the base map. Typical uses of the GIS include storing spill overflight maps, biological resources (bird colonies, fish spawning areas, and fisheries), industrial facilities, oil spill cleanup equipment, vessels, etc. The capability to overlay spill trajectory and GIS data makes the system a powerful tool for spill response and contingency planning decision making.

ASAs OILMAP model connects to live forecasting systems using the COASTMAP Environmental Data Server (EDS) that integrates observation data (in-situ meters, sea surface radar, etc.) and global, national, and regional weather forecasts. The Environmental Data Server (EDS) is used by agencies such as the United States Coast Guard, United States Navy, and Maritime New Zealand to provide critical environmental information for decision support.

OILMAP connected to latest satellite data via COASTMAP

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Receptor Mode (for Oil Vulnerability Analysis) The receptor mode performs reverse trajectory calculations from user selectable sites.

Calculations can be used to identify probable release locations of spills given current oil locations, or principal avenues of vulnerability for important resources. Outputs of the receptor mode are maps showing probabilities that the spill trajectory passed through a given area, and minimum time contours for spills to reach resources of concern. The receptor model is generally used in two modes:

to determine the vulnerability of a particular site (e.g. Desalination Plant) to oil spills based

on lightering sites or tanker traffic routes

to determine possible sources of oil when oil has been observed on the water or on a shoreline.

OILMAP Stochastic Model OILMAP also provides statistical models that are used for permit application, risk assessment, and contingency planning. These models will provide predictions based on worst case or typical scenarios for different months or seasons that show the most likely path of oil and potential impacts on coastline or sensitive sites.

OILMAP Stochastic Model showing probable paths of oil based on climatology

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Model Highlights

World-wide capability 2D and 3D capability Weathering and surface/subsurface transport

of spilled oil Predicts the probability of key areas being

impacted from a given spill Backtracking to determine the likely spill site

position Risk assessments for important resources Oil model interactions with shoreline, reed

beds, and ice coverage Other OILMAP Applications OILMAPLAND is a land and surface water spill model system for oil and chemical releases from pipelines. OILMAPDEEP provides rapid predictions of the movement of spilled oil from sub-sea releases. CHEMMAP provides 2-d and 3-d predictions for chemical spills based on a large database of chemicals. ASA has built a wide range of computer modeling applications to solve various environmental problems. ASAMAPTM, ASAs suite of environmental modeling tools, are available for licensed use and customization and include: AIRMAP, CHEMMAP, CMSMAP, COASTMAP, HYDROMAP, OILMAP, SARMAP, SIMAP, MUDMAP and WQMAP. For more information visit our website at www.asascience.com.

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