Wageningen IMARES is een samenwerkingsverband tussen Wageningen UR en TNO

Application of dispersants on

oil spills in the North SeaWorkshop: The Hague, October 2, 2007

Workshop program

10.0010.00 Word of welcome by ir. L. Bijlsma (director Waterdienst)

10.1510.15 Opening and introduction

10.3010.30 Lectures

14.0014.00 Subgroup discussions

15.4515.45 Plenary presentation

16.3016.30 Evaluation and closure

Announcements

Word of welcome

ir. L. Bijlsma (director Waterdienst)

Wageningen IMARES is een samenwerkingsverband tussen Wageningen UR en TNO

Application of dispersants on oil spills in the North Sea

Introduction

Workshop objective

Learn… from other countries Discuss… about application in NL Recommend… 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 1967Torrey 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?

Source: Lewis, 2007

WILL DISPERSANTS WORK?

1. Should dispersants be used on the type of spilled oil?

YES

NO

2. Is the spilled oil of a type that is dispersible?

YES

NO

3. Is the oil likely to be within the time “window of opportunity’ for dispersant use?

YES

NO

4. Are the sea conditions suitable for dispersion?

YES NO

DO NOT USE

DISPERSANTS

USE DISPERSANTS

Workshop objective

1. Learn…2. Discuss…3. Formulate recommendations…

…to arrive at a Decision Tree for the use of dispersants on the DCS

1.1. 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)

2.2. Discuss

Approval of dispersants

Bird vs fish debate

Dealing with operational restrictions

Monitoring of (short- and longterm) effects

3.3. Formulate recommendations

formulate suggestions and recommendationsto be used when developing a Decision Tree for use on the Dutch Continental Shelf

Workshop program - Lectures

10.3010.30 Different aspects of oil spill dispersantsAlun Lewis, Oil Spill Consultant

11.1511.15 Current practice in response methods in the BonnAgreement Sjon Huisman, Rijkswaterstaat

11.4511.45 Strategic & operational aspects of the application byaircraftChris Frances, Maritime Coastguard Agency UK

12.30 – 13.30 Lunch12.30 – 13.30 Lunch

13.3013.30 Ecological sensitivity in the Dutch part of the North Sea

Jan van Dalfsen, IMARES

Workshop program – Subgroup sessions14.0014.00 Subgroup workSubgroup 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!

SessionsSessions1. Which criteria are important for the approval of specific dispersant

products2. How can different types of ecological impact of (un/)dispersed oil be

compared3. How can we deal with the operational restrictions in using dispersants4. How should short and long term effects of dispersed oil be monitored

15.15 15.15 Break and demo’sBreak and demo’s

15.4515.45 Presentation of subgroup results16.3016.30 Evaluation and closing words