Responding to Oil Spills in Ice

Abstract

Responding to oil spills in ice is being addressed by many different organizations throughout the world, varying from oil producers to local responders. These efforts are needed to ensure spill response capabilities can be deployed in future spills in the Arctic. The US Coast Guard Research & Development Center (RDC) has sponsored a series of demonstrations in the Great Lakes to show existing stakeholders capabilities and identify potential gaps in response technologies and/or strategies to determine what area still need to be addressed within the United States. This was an attempt to take advantage of the existing Great Lakes ice conditions, vessels and logistics that are harder to access in Alaska. RDC has also participated in demonstrations in the Arctic off of Alaska in 2012 and 2013 to evaluate logistical and operational issues in that region. This paper will describe the demonstrations performed and the lessons learned with applications for any future Arctic spills and research still needed.