Oil Spill Research working to address outstanding gaps in information and technology concerning the cleanup of oil spills. Credible scientific investigations and technological innovation are considered key elements in improving the future capabilities of minimizing damage from spills. The program operates through contracts and other agreements with universities, private industry, State governments, government laboratories, and foreign countries with the expertise to perform the necessary research. Funding is leveraged by cosponsoring research whenever possible. Research Partnerships - The scope of MMS's oil spill response program was increased in 1986 by aligning the MMS program with those of Environment Canada and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The cooperative nature of the program encourages innovation and creativity in the accomplishment of its mission. Knowledge gained from this research has significantly improved the ability to reduce the impact and damage caused from oil spills. Working with Environment Canada and NIST, MMS has expanded its research efforts to address auxiliary topics, including smoke plume dispersion models. These models address environmental issues associated with in situ burning techniques in the cleanup of offshore oil spills. NIST and Environment Canada have been important partners in sponsoring international workshops to present research results as well as identifying research gaps associated with in situ burning techniques. Environment Canada and NIST have also participated with MMS in efforts to analyze, and make available, the physical properties of crude oils and crude oil products from offshore fields of the U.S. and Canada. A Laser Environmental Airborne Fluorosensor (LEAF) has been developed to aid in the detection and mapping of oil spills. Advanced chemical fingerprinting of oil and petroleum products is the subject of joint research efforts aimed at identifying sources of mystery oil spills and ascertaining financial responsibilities for cleanup activities. Current research focus: In Situ Burning of Spilled Oil. The Interagency Coordinating Committee on Oil Pollution Research, created by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, has designated MMS as the lead agency for research on in situ burning of spilled oil in the marine environment. Results from controlled tests in the United States, Canada, and Europe have demonstrated that in situ burning is an effective oil spill response technique with minimal air and water quality impacts. Burning offers a way to remove large quantities of oil from the water's surface very quickly (100 to 1,000 times more rapidly than with conventional equipment), thereby minimizing the long-term effects which can persist for years. It has the potential to remove up to 98 percent of the spilled oil from the water's surface and is now being considered for use throughout many areas of the United States. Mitigation of Pollution Associated with Pipelines. Pipelines are the source of about 97 percent of oil-spill volume associated with OCS oil and gas operations. The MMS is actively pursuing research to ascertain the integrity of the 20,000 miles of oil and gas pipelines on the OCS. A like number of miles of pipeline exist in state waters and with MMS's additional responsibility for pollution control in state waters, these projects will serve a dual purpose. A risk analysis and management database is being devised to provide valid assessments of the conditions of aging pipeline systems as well as the probabilities and consequences of leaks. MMS pipeline research is intended to improve leak detection capabilities, improve internal and external inspection practices, improve shutdown systems, and develop a better understanding of the environmental forces active on pipelines. Environmental Fates and Effects Projects. MMS continues efforts to develop and test satellite-tracked drifters designed to behave like oil slicks on the ocean surface. These drifters are a valuable tool in both applied and modeling situations. The NOAA Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) Group continued cooperating in the project by deploying MMS drifters in actual spills. The results of these efforts have been used to improve oil spill trajectory analysis and modeling for use in spill contingency planning. Other Oil Spill Response Technology. Promising results have been obtained in many technology areas such as the examination of mechanical containment and storage devices, airborne remote sensing, and oil spill chemical treating agents such as dispersants. Planned Activities for FY 2000 • In situ burning research will focus on information required to properly regulate and conduct safe in situ burning operations at sea. • Work will continue to develop a model for personal computers, which computes smoke plume trajectories and concentrations of particulate matter from in situ burning of oil spills. The National Institute of Standards and Technology will add a 3-D graphical animation of smoke plume to the flat terrain model to aid in visualizing the model output. • The MMS will continue efforts to conduct physical oceanographic circulation field studies and employ the use of satellite-tracked drifters. • The MMS has begun research on the behavior of subsea releases of full well stream flows into the middle of the water column, typically 300-3,000 meters below the surface. Oil Spill Research capabilities to help the government fulfill its regulatory requirements and meet its goal of clean and safe operations. This unique facility is capable of replicating various conditions at sea. Ohmsett features a fully computerized data collection system, above and below waterline video capability, and a complete oil storage and handling system. Ohmsett is the only facility in the United States where full scale equipment can be easily tested, without going out into the ocean. Through testing, valuable performance data on equipment are provided to manufacturers and suppliers to develop new, or to improve existing, equipment. Industry personnel can be trained in the use of their equipment in a safe, controlled environment (as compared to the open sea). Performance data can be used by response planners in reviewing and approving facility contingency plans. With offshore oil and gas operations moving into deeper waters, the potential for a spill increases. There are many questions about dealing with an oil spill or blowout in deep water. The best place to test new equipment and ideas on cleaning up oil in deep water is at Ohmsett, where tests can be conducted in a safe environment and can be repeated until product results are achieved. Additionally, testing at Ohmsett is much less expensive than open ocean testing. In many MMS-funded studies, Ohmsett is used to demonstrate successful completion of a current set of tasks before funding is approved for additional tasks. To increase utilization, especially with the oil and gas industry, the mission of Ohmsett is being broadened to include and possibly emphasize training individuals who work in the marine environment in oil spill response methodology. Ohmsett could possibly become a major training facility for government mariners (e.g. U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy), commercial mariners, offshore workers, and others. Oil Spill Financial Responsibility Congress Amends Oil Spill Act Changes in the Oil Spill Act now allow for the amount necessary to meet a facility's oil spill financial responsibility requirement to be based on the facility's location and the volume of oil released in a worst-case oil spill. MMS implements the financial responsibility provisions of OCSLA and OPA, which require companies responsible for certain offshore oil and gas facilities, in both Federal and State waters, to demonstrate their ability to pay the costs of facility oil spill discharge removal and damages. Several methods may be used to demonstrate oil spill financial responsibility (OSFR), including insurance, bonds, self-insurance, and guarantee. The MMS has published a final rule to implement the 1996 amendments to OPA (30 CFR Part 253). Under OSCLA, the amount of OSFR is set at $35 million. Under the new rule, the amount of OSFR needed is based on facility location and the volume of the potential worst-case oil spill discharge that could occur. The OSFR amount required ranges from $10 million in State waters to $150 million for Federal waters. The rule covers facilities located in the OCS and State coastal waters. Implementation of the new program began in October 1998, and the existing OCSLA-based OSFR program will be phased out by mid-summer 1999. Extensive coordination and exchange of lease data with affected states will require a concentrated effort. Procedures still must be addressed with each State concerning such topics as approvals of operator changes, enforcement for non-compliance, and determination of worse case spill potential by operator. Provide timely, accurate, and cost-effective mineral royalty collection and Mission Goals: • Improve the timeliness and accuracy of payments to States, Indian Tribes, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) offices, and other Federal agencies. • Improve cost-effectiveness of mineral royalty collection and disbursement services. • Improve reporters' compliance with lease terms, rules, regulations, and laws. |