bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment and Restoration of a Condensate Spill in the Atchafalaya Basin, Louisiana
Authors: Penland Shea , Thompson Shaw , Milanes Andrew , Thumen Carl , House Chad , Tischer Steve , Finley Heather , Vidrine Tony , Pichler Chris 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
Pioneer Natural Resources USA, Inc. (Pioneer) experienced a gas well blowout on December 5, 1996 at Myette Point within a lacustrine delta in Louisiana's Atchafalaya Basin. For a period of 5 days, gas condensate erupted from the well head, covering the surrounding bottomland hardwood forest. Over the next 6 weeks, oil spill response contractors recovered gas condensate from access canals, distributary channels, and small ponds. The total volume spilled was estimated at 4,700 barrels. The state of Louisiana issued a letter of intent to conduct a Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) to determine a plan of restoration to the impacted bottomland hardwood forest. Pioneer worked cooperatively with Louisiana's Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (lead agency), Department of Environmental Quality, Department of Natural Resources, and the Oil Spill coordinator's Office to conduct a cooperative NRDA. A Shoreline Cleanup Assessment Team (SCAT) survey was conducted to map the surface oiling cover. A classification was developed by the NRDA team defining heavy (&gt;50% cover), moderate (&lt;50% cover), and light (only film) oiling classes. Using GPS technology, the NRDA team surveyed the spill area and mapped 164 acres of oiled forest broken into three classes: 106 acres of light, 29 acres of moderate, and 29 acres of heavy. The natural resource trustees determined the degree of injury based upon plant mortality of 10% for light, 50% for moderate, and 90% for heavy oiling classes during the winter survey (1997) for a total spill mortality of 51.2 acres. Based upon the early summer (1997) NRDA team survey, the mortality of the oiling classes were revised. Pioneer negotiated with the NRDA team and developed a plan to clear cut 30 acres of injured forest and plant a new forest of superior quality trees which was completed during the winter 1998. Pioneer working cooperatively and proactively with the natural resource trustees, started and completed the Myette Point NRDA in 14 months.
Quantification of Net Environmental Benefit for Future Oil Spills
Authors: Lunel Tim , Baker Jenifer M. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
Net Environmental Benefit Analysis (NEBA) is increasingly used as a framework to assess the environmental benefits and disadvantages of a chosen response action. This analysis can be used to account for political and economic impacts as well as the effects on the natural environment. Until recently the discussion has focused on qualitative assessments due to the lack of quantitative information collected at spills. This paper uses examples of best practice of NEBA from different spills around the world to outline the information that should be collected at future spills in order to determine the level of Net Environmental Benefit that has been achieved by the response operation. In the first instance immediate feedback may well provide information which aids decision making at the time of the incident. However, a key role for this information is also to enable responders around the world to establish best practice for a wide range of environmental sensitivities. Case histories of Net Environmental Benefits will provide a basis for the overall contingency planning process, recognising that post-spill decisions are best and most rapidly made in the light of pre-spill analyses, consultations and agreements by all the appropriate organisations.
Integrated Vessel Response Plan Format
Authors: Rogers William C. , Cameron Jean R. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
Oil shipping companies operating on the West Coast of the United States are subject to international, federal, and state oil spill prevention and response planning regulations. Many companies wrote separate plans for each jurisdiction with the result that tank vessels carried several different plans on board and parent companies faced an administrative burden in keeping plans current. In June 1996, oil shipping company representatives proposed that the States/British Columbia Oil Spill Task Force work with them to develop a format incorporating West Coast states' and U.S. Coast Guard contingency planning requirements. A workgroup comprised of representatives of the Task Force, industry, and the U.S. Coast Guard, working cooperatively, eventually proposed a voluntary integrated plan format based on the key elements of the U.S. Coast Guard Vessel Response Plan. This format allowed correlation with state planning requirements as well as with the Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (SOPEP) required by international regulations. The U.S. Coast Guard, the Canadian Ministry of Transport, and all West Coast states have subsequently documented their agreement to accept vessel plans in this format, to coordinate review as needed, and to allow references to public documents such as Area Plans.
Response Plans for Arctic Oil and Ice Encounters
Authors: Glover Nick W. , Dickins David F. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
Ice conditions, in dynamic stages of development and degradation, are present for over 280 days out of every calendar year in the Beaufort Sea adjacent to the operating oilfields on the Alaskan North Slope. Additionally, wind driven ice invasions during the open water season, July through September typically, may also occur for short periods throughout the season. This presence combined with extreme arctic conditions routinely presents a challenge to mounting a safe and effective oil spill response action. In order to overcome this challenge responders must develop response action plans not only with an understanding of the physical environment but also with a basic understanding of the effect this environment will have on the fate and behavior of the spilled oil. Arctic spill response strategies, worldwide, have been developed through years of experience with both offshore and onshore drilling and production operations in all types of sea and ice conditions. North Slope response action plans are based on this experience, intense field training, and ground truthing of related research and development projects.
Financial Liability Requirements for Oil and Gas Activities in Canadian Frontier Areas
Authors: Anderson James D. , Nesbitt Brian W. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
As in most countries and as included in international treaties regarding oil spills, Canadian law is based on the premise that the “polluter pays” for all costs associated with the response to cleaning up oil spills and settling of all relevant damage claims. The Canada Oil and Gas Operations Act (COGOA) and associated regulations, which are administered by the National Energy Board (NEB), specify the liability requirements which must be met by any applicant which receives approval to carry out oil and gas related activities in Canadian frontier areas. This paper gives a brief history of the development of the liability requirements, outlines the specific requirements under COGOA and describes the process followed by the NEB to administer the liability requirements. All costs referred to in this paper are quoted in Canadian dollars.
The International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds 1971 and 1992
Authors: Jacobsson Måns 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
The international system for compensating victims of oil pollution damage caused by oil spills from tankers is based on two international treaties adopted as a result of the Torrey Canyon incident which occurred in 1967 off the south coast of the United Kingdom, namely the 1969 Civil Liability Convention and the 1971 Fund Convention. These Conventions have been amended by Protocols in 1992, resulting in two new Conventions (the 1992 Conventions).
The International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds 1971 and 1992 administer the system of compensation created by the Fund Conventions. Over 80 nations are members of the Funds. In the light of the experience gained in recent years from incidents involving the Funds, it would be appropriate to consider whether the objectives of establishing the international regime have been fulfilled and whether the international regime has given adequate protection to victims of oil pollution damage.
The paper also makes comparison between the international regime and the regime created under OPA 90. While there are differences between the two regimes as regards scope of application, funding, and approach in various aspects, there are significant similarities in respect of administration and claims handling. Some of the differences are due to the fact that the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund works within one nation, whereas the International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds operate worldwide.
Reporting Relationships of a Response Organization with the Responsible Party
Authors: Friendly David A. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
When a marine oil spill occurs there are critical challenges that fall into four categories—the Four Cs—that face the Responsible Party (RP): the Casualty, the Community, the Corporation, and the Cleanup. In the case of a company that has a corporate response team, it will be charged with the management of all four categories. In Canada, the detailed management of the Cleanup can be delegated to the Certified Response Organization (RO). However, a reporting relationship from the RO to the RP response management team must be established, both to ensure they keep each other informed and to avoid duplication or conflict in cleanup activities. Since the Cleanup is primarily a responsibility of the RP Operations Section, the reporting chain during the Initial Response Phase and Tactical Phase should be from the RO Spill Response Manager to the RP Operations Manager. Once the Cleanup is the only ongoing challenge, the RP team may be disbanded and only re-assembled for progress assessments of the RO work. During this Strategic Phase of the response, the RO Spill Response Manager will report directly to the RP On-Scene Commander or delegate.
Measuring Response: A Balanced Response Scorecard for Evaluating Success
Authors: Kuchin Joseph T. , Hereth Larry L. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
The success of a response is frequently measured in a variety of ways including initial reaction, public perception, physical and/or monetary damage to the environment, amount spent on the response, effectiveness of restoration efforts and other, often conflicting or contradictory measures. A recent review of responses since the Exxon Valdez reflected many positive organizational and technological advances as well as other areas with unsolved problems. Despite these innovations the authors have found no comprehensive system, agreed upon by the response community, that systematically evaluates the success of the response effort.
This paper proposes a model for response evaluation that highlights six key areas that must be addressed to adequately define success before, during and after a response. The areas are: (1) human health and safety; (2) natural environment; (3) economic impact; (4) public communication; (5) stakeholder service and support; and (6) response organization. Each of these areas has critical success factors. By assessing these critical success factors, as part of a Balanced Response Scorecard, a response organization has the chance to modify actions during the response to ensure the best opportunity for success. Once fully integrated, the response evaluation model could influence the response process and community relations, and lead to increasingly effective response planning and operations.
Minimizing consequences of an incident requires not only a sound management system, good people, and equipment, but also goals that can be measured against agreed upon standards or criteria. This baseline, although driven by the subtleties of each geographic area, will provide the opportunity for response organizations and communities to reach consensus on success, thereby improving our ability to protect our national interests and building an increased sense of shared stewardship.
The Chinese Marine Environmental Protection Law
Authors: Chen Cindy , Hicks Mike 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
The concept of marine environmental protection and its development was introduced to the People's Republic of China in the 1980s. This followed the enactment of the Environmental Protection Law (1979, 1989), a revision to the Constitution, and the adoption of international environmental laws. The Chinese Marine Environmental Protection Law (MEPL) was promulgated in 1983 after China signed the 1982 U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea. Both national environmental laws and various international conventions and agreements influenced the MEPL. For example, the MEPL closely follows provisions outlined by the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) and other international treaties. China has concerns about marine pollution not only within its own territory but outside its jurisdiction as well. Thus, the MEPL explicitly states that the provisions of the law apply to areas beyond China's territorial sea. As provided by the MEPL, China has the right to assert jurisdiction over foreign vessels beyond its territorial sea when they engage in activities that cause pollution to China's environment. However, questions arise as to China's coastal state jurisdiction. China's view on sovereignty is a controversial issue, and it is unclear whether the MEPL can be invoked to confer liability in waters outside of China's jurisdiction. Despite uncertainty over the jurisdiction issue, the MEPL is a significant and comprehensive law for marine protection. It regulates five major sources of marine pollution: coastal construction projects, off-shore oil exploration and exploitation, land-source pollutants, vessel pollution, and the dumping of wastes at sea. The purpose of this paper is to provide a brief comparison of the MEPL and relevant international laws and an understanding of critical issues covered by the MEPL.
Rapid Operational and Scientific Response to the Idoho-Qit Pipeline Spill, Nigeria
Authors: Olagbende O. T. , Ede G. O. , Inyang L.E.D. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
The 12 January 1998 rupture of a 24-inch pipeline from the IDOHO platform to the Mobil Qua Iboe terminal resulted in the release of approximately 40,000 bbl of light Nigerian crude oil. Because of rapid westerly transport, dispersants were the method of primary response, with approximately 250 barrels being applied. Also, because more than 90% of the oil was dispersed offshore, heavy shoreline oiling was limited and localized. However, due to westward transport by nearshore currents, remnants of the spill tracked 5–10 km offshore from the spill source were observed at Lagos harbor, about 900 km away. Oiling of interior sensitive mangrove habitats was limited to a few locations. Exposed sand beaches self-cleaned within 2–3 weeks. Cleanup of heavily impacted shoreline areas recovered approximately 1000 bbl of oily waste. A national and international team of scientists was activated within 24 hours and directed toward measuring impact on environmental resources important to local human activities. Elements of the scientific program were (1) offshore components, including fisheries, benthos, chemistry, microbiology; and (2) riverine/estuary, including extensive water analysis to detect any spill input to water resources used by local settlements and chemical analysis of local fish market samples. Preliminary results indicated that any initial environmental effects were limited and localized. Based on the initial program, a larger follow-up program is planned involving offshore studies, a shoreline fate and effects program, impact to mangrove habitats, and a study of any socioeconomic and human health effects.
Remediation of Brine-Contaminated Soils Using Atriplexspp. (Chenopodiaceae)
Authors: Keyes Kendal L. , Mott Joanna B. , Barnes Steven S. , Jensen David A. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
The ability of some halophytes to accumulate salts may make them helpful in remediating soil contaminated with produced water and drilling mud from oil and gas exploration and production. Three inland halophytes, Atriplex acanthocarpa (two accessions) and A. canescens, were grown in pot culture in salt-contaminated soil, soil contaminated with salt and hydrocarbons, and uncontaminated soil collected from a Webb Co., Texas, gas production site. Electrical conductivity and soluble sodium of the soil extract were determined prior to planting and re-analyzed following harvest. Total sodium content in mature leaves was determined following harvest. Mature plant survival for all species in all soils ranged from 90–100%. In the salt-contaminated soil, post-harvest electrical conductivity and soluble sodium were significantly lower in the planted soils than in the unplanted soil. For each accession, biomass and plant mortality were greatest in the salt-contaminated soil. In both contaminated soils, the local ecotype of A. acanthocarpa had the highest concentration of tissue sodium and produced the greatest decrease in both electrical conductivity and soluble sodium. Field studies are necessary to determine the effectiveness of in situ application.
Evaluating The Addition of Fine Particles To Enhance Oil Degradation
Authors: Lee Kenneth , Cobanli Susan E. , Gauthier Johanne , Pierre Sylvie St. , Tremblay Gilles H. , Wohlgeschaffen Gary D. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
Natural biodegradation rates of oil within the marine environment are partly controlled by surface availability, as microbial attack primarily occurs at the oil-water interface. Therefore, increasing the surface area of residual oil by the addition of fine oleophilic particles may prove to be an effective bioremediation strategy. Considering commercial availability and cost, heat-treated peat was identified to be a promising particle source as it has high oil absorption properties and does not compete with oil as an alternative carbon source to oil-degrading bacteria.
A preliminary laboratory experiment conducted with a respirometry system demonstrated the feasibility of nutrient and peat additions to enhance the metabolic activity of bacteria within oil-contaminated sand beach sediments. Field trials were conducted with similar peat and nutrient concentrations in a north-temperate beach environment with weathered Scotian Light crude oil over a 138-day period. The rates of microbial respiration and productivity were enhanced significantly above unoiled and oiled control sediments with the addition of inorganic nutrients with and without peat amendments. Treatment of sediments with inorganic nutrients and peat did not increase the toxicity of the residual oil. Gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy analysis was used to quantify bioremediation success by normalizing the loss of individual components to the conserved marker 17?(H), 21?H)-hopane. While there is evidence of a stimulatory effect with the addition of peat, results suggest that nutrient availability in the interstitial water limited optimal rates of oil bioremediation.
The Influence of Microorganisms On Oil-Mineral Fine Interactions In Low-Energy Coastal Environment
Authors: Jézéquel Ronan , Merlin François-Xavier , Lee Kenneth 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
When spilled in the environment, oil frequently interacts with fine mineral particles to form aggregates. This process contributes to the natural shoreline restoration process as the residual oil remains mobile and becomes more accessible to oil-degrading biota. Studies have been undertaken to accelerate this mechanism of natural oil dispersion as an oil spill countermeasure (e.g., surf-washing). Mixing energy (waves) has been considered a key factor controlling the formation of oil-mineral fine aggregates. While most laboratory studies have used strong mixing energy to induce the formation of oil-mineral fine aggregates, they have also been observed to occur in the environment under moderate levels of agitation.
To test this hypothesis, experiments were undertaken in mesocosms, recreating a sandy shoreline environment subject to identical levels of moderate wave activity and tidal movement. Microcosm experiments with oiled sediments amended with nutrients and bacteria have been conducted over a 4-week period with and without the addition of clay. Results and observations show positive influence of microbial activity on the formation of oil-mineral fine aggregates, which subsequently accelerates the rate of oil removal from the sand by the tide.
Participation of Insurers in the Unified Command System in the United States
Authors: Garger Andrew J. , Hobbie Richard H. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
The introduction and adoption of the Unified Command System (UCS) /Incident Command System (ICS) under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (Public Law 101–380, as amended) (OPA 90) has been largely effective, the ongoing training of Federal On-Scene Coordinators (FOSC) by the Coast Guard's Marine Safety School has raised the quality of spill response management, and the development of Spill Management Teams (SMT) by the private sector has also significantly improved the effectiveness of spill response. However, the role that a Responsible Party's (RP) insurance plays in an event is an aspect of marine casualty response that is not adequately addressed in the ICS or by the FOSC. More often than not, the true financial stakeholder during a casualty is not the RP under OPA 90 but rather its multiple insurers. The failure to consider multiple stakeholder interests in the ICS/UCS may result in a delayed, inefficient response or even paralysis on the part of the RP Many RP's do not have the financial resources to fund the potentially high cost of a spill response and it is only through the cooperation and prompt funding by the insurer that the RP is able to respond at all. Yet the system and organization of the response recognizes the RP, but it does not properly involve the insurers as the true stakeholders. It also fails to recognize the complexities and implications of multiple insurers.
Creating a mechanism within the framework of the ICS/UCS that recognizes the insurance stakeholder interests, and requires some level of participation by insurers, would improve casualty and spill response. This paper will examine the foregoing issues and discuss why the insurer stakeholder should be included in the ICS/UCS decision making process.
Chronic Oil Spills At Junk Yards Make Future Brownfields1
Authors: Powers Ross E. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
Chronic oil spills at junkyards are being overlooked, but they can cause serious economic and environmental problems. Long considered non-hazardous, motor oils, automobile fluids, industrial waste oils and solid wastes are spilled daily at scrap metal yards across the nation. These chronic spills can carry heavy metals and toxic wastes off site through surface drains, soil penetration, and track out. Intermixed with oil, these wastes are complex and costly to clean up. Superfund cleanup actions at former junkyards are only part of the economic burden to the public. Quality of life and property value problems add to the host community's roadblocks to redevelopment, and also to their list of brownfields. Relaxed attitudes in handling liquid and solid wastes at these sites, along with ignorance of environmental rules, seem to be at the root of the problem. It is suggested that local agencies get involved in monitoring waste management practices, as well as try outreach efforts to educate junkyard operators in oil spill prevention and waste management.