Saudi aramco oil spill approach, prevention, and readiness

Abstract

The oceans are a major source of food, livelihood, recreation, trade, and, in the case of many desert or semidesert countries, a source of fresh water. In addition oceans serve as the primary carriers of another precious resource, petroleum. Saudi Aramco's environmental policy is to ensure that its operations do not create undue risk to the environment or public health. It also states that the company will conduct its operation with full concern for the protection of land, air, and water from harmful pollution. To carry out this policy, the company has taken several important precautionary and preparatory measures to ensure minimization of pollution from its operation at the various sectors. Saudi Aramco has adopted the age-old maxim that an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. Since oil is a major potential source of marine pollution, the company has started with minimizing the accidental introduction of oil into the marine environment.