ALASKA%DEPARTMENT%OF%ENVIRONMENTAL%CONSERVATION

DIVISION%OF%SPILL%PREVENTION%AND%RESPONSE

Research%and%Development%Projects%(2000–2010)

1

YEAR PROJECT TITLE PROJECT DESCRIPTION

1997–2005 Environmental Sensitivity 

Index (ESI) Mapping

Series of seasonal maps intended to provide a regional overview of the environmentally sensitive resources that would 

receive priority protection during oil spill planning and response. The resources depicted on the maps are selected on the 

basis of their high sensitivity and/or vulnerability to spilled oil or their special management status. The following is a 

summary of the ESI mapping status by subarea:

• Aleutians (2002)

• Bristol Bay (2004)

• Cook Inlet (2002)

• Kodiak (1997)

• North Slope (2005)

• Northwest Arctic (2002)

• Prince William Sound (2000)

• Southeast Alaska (2001)

• Western Alaska (2003)

More information available at: http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/book_shelf/827_ERD_ESI.pdf

2000 International Oil & Ice 

Workshop, 2000

Workshop on oil spill preparedness and response for cold climates. Provided an opportunity to congregate experts on oil 

fate and behavior, Arctic oil spill response, ice environments, and Arctic oilfield development in order to present the state

of knowledge in a combined classroom and field setting (Anchorage and Prudhoe Bay).

2000 MORICE Phase 5 Mechanical Oil Recovery in Ice Infested Waters (MORICE) was a multiphase Joint Industry Program (JIP) to develop 

technologies for more effective recovery of oil spills in ice-infested waters. Phase 5, evaluated four different internal oil 

recovery units for the lifting grated belt at a test tank in Hamburg, Germany, in May 2000. Upon completion of these tests, 

the prototype skimmer was shipped back to Prudhoe Bay, AK, where it received further equipment modifications, and more 

powerful hydraulics and a larger power pack were installed. Selected skimmer manufacturers were invited to participate 

and provide an internal recovery system for evaluation. The complete prototype skimmer was evaluated for ice processing 

on the Alaskan Beaufort Sea during October 2000. 

2000 Oil Detection in Ice Pangaea Geochemical Technologies demonstrated the potential use of gas-sieve gas chromatograph instrumentation 

capable of detecting molecular levels of hydrocarbons in ice core samples. 

2000 Barge Ice Deflection System Design and construct a Barge Ice Deflection System (BIDS). The concept, design, fabrication, and testing of BIDS was a 

direct result of lessons learned from fall 1999 drilling on the North Slope. Spill responders recognized the need to deflect 

ice away from barge skimming systems in order to maintain a reasonable recovery capacity. 
ALASKA%DEPARTMENT%OF%ENVIRONMENTAL%CONSERVATION

DIVISION%OF%SPILL%PREVENTION%AND%RESPONSE

Research%and%Development%Projects%(2000–2010)

2

YEAR PROJECT TITLE PROJECT DESCRIPTION

2000 Temporary Pipeline Concept As a result of lessons learned during a barge offloading demonstration on the North Slope, a study was implemented to 

examine the feasibility, design, process, and rough order-of-magnitude costs for a system capable of handling recovered oil 

spill fluids consistent with the response planning standard (RPS) requirements from the Northstar C-Plan. 

 

2000 Viscous Oil Pumping 

Demonstration

Previous tests indicated the injection of water through an annular injection flange significantly reduced the discharge hose 

pressures while pumping viscous fluids. This test investigated the potential to adapt this technology to a cold climate 

through injection of alternative lubricating fluids. 

2000 Emulsion Breaker Study, 1 Determined the effect of small dosages of emulsion-breaking chemical on several North Slope crude oil emulsions at or 

near freezing temperatures. 

2000 Crude Oil Evaporation Study Study to provide an educated analysis of the potential evaporative losses from an oil and gas surface well blowout from the 

Norhstar and Pt. McIntyre fields on the Alaskan North Slope. 

2000–2002 GNOME Oil Trajectory 

Model for the Alaskan North 

Slope

In coordination with NOAA, this project worked to develop a regional oil spill trajectory model appropriate for use in the 

nearshore marine environment of the Alaskan Beaufort Sea. GNOME, the General NOAA Oil Modeling Environment, is a 

general-purpose oil spill trajectory model used by NOAA/HAZMAT. 

2001 and 

ongoing

Geographic Response 

Strategies (GRS)

GRS are oil spill response plans tailored to protect a specific sensitive area from oil impacts following a spill. These 

response plans are map-based strategies that can save time during the critical first few hours of an oil spill response. They 

show responders where sensitive areas are located and where to place oil spill protection resources. The following is a 

summary of the GRS initiatives thus far by subarea:

• Aleutians (2004 and ongoing)

• Bristol Bay (project to be initiated over next 1–2 years)

• Cook Inlet (2001 and ongoing)

• Kodiak (2001 and ongoing)

• North Slope (project to be initiated over next 1–2 years)

• Northwest Arctic (project to be initiated over next 1–2 years)

• Prince William Sound (2002 and ongoing)

• Southeast Alaska (2002 and ongoing)

• Western Alaska (project to be initiated over next 1–2 years)

More information available at: http://dec.alaska.gov/spar/perp/grs/home.htm
ALASKA%DEPARTMENT%OF%ENVIRONMENTAL%CONSERVATION

DIVISION%OF%SPILL%PREVENTION%AND%RESPONSE

Research%and%Development%Projects%(2000–2010)

3

YEAR PROJECT TITLE PROJECT DESCRIPTION

2001 Ice Access Guidelines for 

Spill Responders

Sandwell Engineering Inc. conducted research and developed a manual focused on oil spill response efforts to support both 

on-ice and under-ice cleanup activities on the North Slope. The manual provides equipment operators, site managers, and 

project managers the information necessary to understand the factors and requirements to maintain safety during on-ice 

operations.

 

2001 MORICE Phase 6 The prototype skimmer (from Phase 5) was considered ready for oil in ice testing. The unit was shipped to Svalbard, 

Norway, in May 2001 for testing, however, due to complications, the unit was not field-tested. The MORICE project 

concluded after Phase 6A which successfully tested and evaluated the prototype skimmer at Ohmsett in January 2002. The 

unit was tested in cold water and broken ice conditions with oil and two different internal recovery systems. 

2001 National Institute of Standards 

& Technology (NIST) Well 

Blowout Dispersion Modeling

Contract with NIST to create a 3-D model of a drilling related blowout. The model includes the presence of a rig structure 

and can account for variations in flow rate, oil properties, gas-to-oil ratios, discharge pressures, wind conditions, and 

impingement effects of drill rig structure on the oil and gas plume. 

2002 Alaska Incident Management 

System (AIMS) Guide

The AIMS Guide was developed for use by public and private agencies to fully coordinate response efforts during a 

significant oil or hazardous materials release. While the roles of the government organizations may vary from directing the 

response, augmenting the response, or providing regulatory oversight, the intent of this document is to foster a common

understanding of the roles and responsibilities of all responding agencies to ensure a safe, effective response.

More information is available at: 

http://dec.alaska.gov/spar/perp/docs/AIMS_Guide-Complete(Nov02).pdf

2003 NIST, Well Blowout Droplet 

Size Study

Preliminary study to investigate the drop size distributions created from various pipe diameters under a range of flow rates 

and GORs. 

2003 Viscous Oil Pumping Studies, 

USCG

Joint Viscous Oil Pumping System (JVOPS) Workshop, headed by representatives of the Canadian and US Coast Guards 

was held in Houma, LA, Dec 1–15, 2003. The purpose of the workshop was to improve oil spill response systems for 

heavy viscous oils. The workshop targeted testing in the critical 200,000–500,000+ cSt range and pumping distances up to 

450 meters. A range of pumping systems was also tested. 

2003 Viscous Oil Pumping Studies, 

Mini Barge

In a test, a vacuum truck pumped a 249 bbl mini barge of its cargo of emulsified Northstar crude oil at 32°F in 46 minutes. 

The pumping confirmed long-standing planning assumptions regarding transfer rates of emulsified oil at ambient sea 

temperatures stored by on-water spill response systems. 
ALASKA%DEPARTMENT%OF%ENVIRONMENTAL%CONSERVATION

DIVISION%OF%SPILL%PREVENTION%AND%RESPONSE

Research%and%Development%Projects%(2000–2010)

4

YEAR PROJECT TITLE PROJECT DESCRIPTION

2003 Emulsion Breaker Study, 2 Test to examine the fate of emulsion breaker chemicals that may be used to help decant free water from oil storage barges. 

2004 Testing Portable Pumps with 

Viscous Oil

Demonstrated pumping capability of ACS equipment for recovering oil spilled to tundra in cold conditions. The key 

elements of this test were to measure the rate at which weathered oil could be recovered with small, portable pumps and to 

determine the limits of pumping related to pour points of the oil.

 

2004 – 2006 NIST Well Blowout Model 

Development

Continue National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) well blowout model development. Develop Alaskabased capability to apply and run NIST’s oil dispersion model for cases of rig and no rig and fire and no fire. Compare the 

results of a no-fire-no-rig case to SL Ross’s model results. Develop capability to model the affect of a plume deflector. 

 

2004 TAP II Modeling, North Slope Trajectory Analysis Planner (TAP II) Modeling. GNOME model location files for Alaskan Beaufort Sea provided

opportunities to expand spill trajectory modeling to statistically-based projections of potential spill impact areas. The 

graphical output from TAP II includes threat zone analysis, shoreline impact analysis, site oiling analysis and resource 

impact analysis. 

2004 – 2005 Testing Emulsion Breakers to 

Improve Pumping of Viscous 

Emulsions 

Quantify the effectiveness of demulsifier addition in reducing emulsion viscosity, and hence friction-induced 

backpressures, when pumping emulsions in hoses. 

2004 – 2006 North Slope Coastal Ocean 

Dynamic Applications Radar 

(CODAR) 

Support for a project led by the University of Alaska Fairbanks to develop a land based radar system for measuring the 

speed and direction of the Beaufort Sea’s surface currents. 

2004 – 2006 Ground Penetrating Radar 

(GPR) for Detecting Oil in 

and Under Ice

Studies of GPR for the detection of oil in and under sea ice: 

• November 2004 experiments at the U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) in 

Hanover, NH;

• April 2005 Prudhoe Bay, AK, field experiments (without oil at temperatures -20 degrees F);

• March 2006 Svalbard, Norway, field experiments with oil under ice. 

2005 North Slope Nearshore & 

Offshore Breakup Study

Provides an analysis of ice conditions and the dates associated with seasonal transitions in the nearshore and offshore 

Beaufort Sea environments including the lagoon areas inside the barrier islands affected by major river overfloods. 

More information available at: http://dec.alaska.gov/spar/ipp/nscharter.htm
ALASKA%DEPARTMENT%OF%ENVIRONMENTAL%CONSERVATION

DIVISION%OF%SPILL%PREVENTION%AND%RESPONSE

Research%and%Development%Projects%(2000–2010)

5

YEAR PROJECT TITLE PROJECT DESCRIPTION

2005 Viscous Oil Pumping Studies Continuation of previous work. Tested a range of North Slope pumps in North Slope liquids to determine their capability. 

Tested a range of additional annular injection unit types. Measured viscosity and pump rates resulting from treatments of a 

range of oils with a range of emulsion breakers. Developed pump well and lids accommodating hard pipe sections and 

cargo level gauging for mini barges. Developed ready-to-go prototype annular injection packages for skimmer pump, mini 

barge pump and vacuum truck pump. 

2005 ADEC Tundra Treatment 

Manual

Updated the manual with new tactics. The purpose of this manual is to provide a menu of tactics which can be used to treat 

and monitor tundra impacted by spills of crude oil, petroleum products, seawater, and other substances after initial response

efforts have eliminated the threat of large-scale spill migration.

More information is available at: http://dec.alaska.gov/spar/perp/r_d/ttman/tt_man.htm

2005–2006 Spill Related Analysis of 

North Slope Crude Oils

Oil characteristics affecting recovery and transfer planning were determined by laboratory tests. The viscosity, 

emulsification tendency, specific gravity, and evaporation rates of crude oils from 11 North Slope sources were measured. 

2005–2009 SINTEF Oil in Ice Joint 

Industry Program (JIP) 

Support

Provided support through Alaska Clean Seas. The objective of the JIP Oil-in-Ice project led by the Norwegian research 

group SINTEF was to “further develop tools and technologies for environmental beneficial oil spill response strategies for 

ice-infested waters.” The project culminated with a large-scale field trial with actual releases of oil in ice-infested waters 

(FEX 2009). The FEX 2009 was carried out in the period May 9–25, 2009, east of Hopen, Norway, in the Barents Sea. 

2006 Alaska Commercial Fisheries 

- Water Quality Sampling 

Methods and Procedures 

Manual 

This manual presents scientific water-quality sampling methods to assess potential contamination of commercial fishery 

resources and gear in Alaska waters during an oil spill. It is intended for oil spill response personnel and fishery managers

as they assess and manage the risk to commercial fisheries during spill events. The manual presents both a general 

discussion of factors for consideration in designing a sampling program after a spill event, and a description of specific 

methods and procedures.

More information available at: http://dec.alaska.gov/spar/perp/wq/wq_manual.htm

2006 Spill Tactics for Alaska 

Responders (STAR) Manual

This project led to the development of a statewide spill response tactics manual for use by the spill response community, 

including federal, state, local, industry, and spill cooperatives throughout Alaska. The final product is available for general 

use by the spill response community in Alaska, and also serves as a means for the oil industry to meet contingency planning 

requirements.

More information available at: http://dec.alaska.gov/spar/perp/star/index.htm
ALASKA%DEPARTMENT%OF%ENVIRONMENTAL%CONSERVATION

DIVISION%OF%SPILL%PREVENTION%AND%RESPONSE

Research%and%Development%Projects%(2000–2010)

6

YEAR PROJECT TITLE PROJECT DESCRIPTION

2006 De-Ice Rope Mop Skimmer 

Studies

Methods of de-icing rope mop skimmers in cold temperatures were examined. The research included a literature review of 

the state-of-the-art in de-icing technology, and a series of small-scale tests at the SL Ross laboratory to evaluate candidate 

technologies. 

2006 Pour Point Depressants 

Studies

Measure the affect of pour point depressors on the viscosity and “pump-ability” of cold, viscous recovered and stored oil 

and oil emulsions. Pour point depressors are introduced in ppm. They are typically used in some oil production processes, 

but had not yet been examined for spilled oil transfer. 

2006 and 

ongoing

Potential Places of Refuge 

(PPOR) 

PPOR are pre-identified sites that may aid decision-makers in responding to vessels in distress. These plans are tailored to 

protect sensitive areas from impacts from possible spills and are map-based to save time during the critical first few hours 

of a vessel response. The following is a summary of the PPOR initiatives thus far by subarea:

• Aleutians (completed in 2007)

• Bristol Bay (project to be initiated over next 1–2 years)

• Cook Inlet (completed in 2007)

• Kodiak (completed in 2006) 

• North Slope (project to be initiated over next 1–2 years)

• Northwest Arctic (project to be initiated over next 1–2 years)

• Prince William Sound (completed in 2008) 

• Southeast Alaska (2008, to be completed in 2010)

• Western Alaska (project to be initiated over next 1–2 years)

More information is available at: http://dec.alaska.gov/spar/perp/ppor/home.htm
ALASKA%DEPARTMENT%OF%ENVIRONMENTAL%CONSERVATION

DIVISION%OF%SPILL%PREVENTION%AND%RESPONSE

Research%and%Development%Projects%(2000–2010)

7

YEAR PROJECT TITLE PROJECT DESCRIPTION

2007 Vessel Emergency Towing 

System (ETS)

Develop emergency towing capabilities for disabled vessels using locally available tugboats in conjunction with ETS 

equipment that may be stationed in strategic locations in Alaska or air deployable via US Coast Guard or other assets.

• Unalaska (2007; two systems in place)

• Kodiak (2009)

• Two additional systems to be purchased in 2010–2011 (Southeast Alaska; Anchorage air deployable system)

More information is available at: http://dec.alaska.gov/spar/perp/aiets/home.htm

2007 International Oil & Ice 

Workshop, 2007

Workshop on advancing spill response in cold water and ice. Provided an opportunity to bring together an international 

audience with this common interest. The two-day technical program was made up of presentations by recognized experts 

on a wide range of key topics including:

• International Arctic oil and gas developments 

• Ice environments 

• Ice-going vessel technology 

• Remote sensing 

• Enhancements to mechanical recovery systems 

• Chemical herders in ice 

• Cold-water dispersants 

• Experimental spills 

• Case studies 

• Ongoing and future research programs 

2007 Mechanical Recovery Systems 

for Ice-Infested Waters – 

Examination of Technologies 

for the Alaskan Beaufort Sea

A report identifying the existing state-of-technology for mechanical recovery in sea ice, and investigating any new 

mechanical recovery systems that may be transferable for use in ice-infested waters. 

More information is available at: http://dec.alaska.gov/spar/ipp/nscharter.htm

2007 Beaufort Sea Current Study A report describing analyses designed to estimate the distance and direction an oceanic oil spill could travel during each of 

the two primary circulation regimes found in the nearshore Beaufort Sea: (1) under landfast ice during winter and (2) in 

open water or partial ice cover during summer. 
ALASKA%DEPARTMENT%OF%ENVIRONMENTAL%CONSERVATION

DIVISION%OF%SPILL%PREVENTION%AND%RESPONSE

Research%and%Development%Projects%(2000–2010)

8

YEAR PROJECT TITLE PROJECT DESCRIPTION

More information available at: http://dec.alaska.gov/spar/ipp/nscharter.htm

2008 Alaska In Situ Burning 

Guidelines

The Alaska in situ burning guidelines are used by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, US Coast Guard, 

and US Environmental Protection Agency on-scene coordinators to authorize an emergency in situ burn of oil. More 

information is available at: 

http://dec.alaska.gov/spar/perp/docs/ISB-Rev1(Final-August%202008).pdf

2008 Ground Penetrating Radar 

(GPR) Workshop and 

Demonstration

A two-day GPR workshop was held on the North Slope to familiarize ADEC, ADNR, BPXA, ConocoPhillips, and ACS 

spill response personnel in using the GPR. ACS now has an operational GPR system on the North Slope. 

2009–2010 Airborne GPR for Detecting 

Oil In and Under Ice

Continued studies of airborne supported ground penetrating radar (GPR) for detecting oil under sea ice. This project 

focuses on hardware development that will produce two prototype, higher-powered GPR systems that can be tested in 

Arctic field environments using commonly available light helicopters. The goal is to significantly expand the practical 

operating window for oil detection on and under sea ice with GPR to cover a wider range of sea ice and climate conditions. 

2009–2010 ADEC Tundra Treatment 

Manual 

The initial document was produced in 2001. Additional research and studies are warranted to validate the procedures in the 

document, and documenting results of actual case studies of past spills that have impacted the tundra. Work includes field 

investigations and revising the guidelines, followed by changes to the manual, then production and distribution. More 

information is available at: http://dec.alaska.gov/spar/perp/r_d/ttman/tt_man.htm

2009–2010 Oleophillic Skimmer Research In controlled conditions of cold and broken ice, test the effects on the Crucial disc skimmer’s operation and durability and 

the skimmer’s oil recovery rate and efficiency including the skimmer’s ice-processing capability. In a test tank, measure 

the effects and recommend skimmer modifications to reduce ice interference in order to maximize recovery rate. Follow 

modified ASTM F2709 procedure as applicable to the conditions. These tests follow-up on Ohmsett tests that were 

conducted in non-Arctic conditions. 

Ongoing ShoreZone Mapping ShoreZone is a mapping and classification system that specializes in the collection and interpretation of low-altitude aerial 

imagery of the coastal environment. Its objective is to produce an integrated, searchable inventory of geomorphic and 

biological features of the intertidal and nearshore zones, which can be used as a tool for science, education, management, 

and environmental hazard planning. Subareas with some if not entire coverage include Southeast Alaska, Prince William 

Sound, and Cook Inlet. For complete project description and status, visit: 

http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/habitat/shorezone/szintro.htm
ALASKA%DEPARTMENT%OF%ENVIRONMENTAL%CONSERVATION

DIVISION%OF%SPILL%PREVENTION%AND%RESPONSE

Research%and%Development%Projects%(2000–2010)

9

YEAR PROJECT TITLE PROJECT DESCRIPTION

For other R&D projects, see: http://dec.alaska.gov/spar/perp/r_d/research_list.htm