Modeling Underwater Oil/Gas Jets and Plumes

Abstract

A model is developed for simulating oil spills that initially behave as jets or plumes. The model is based on the Lagrangian integral method. The model can simulate a liquid (oil) in an ambient (seawater), or an oil/gas mixture in seawater. The model considers both shear and forced entrainment. The jet/plume model is combined with two additional models for oil transport in the intermediate field and the far-field to provide complete simulations of the oil transport and fate. The model can take into account the stratified ambient conditions. 3D unsteady ambient current conditions can be used in the simulations. The model is used to simulate the field experiments conducted by the Institut for Kontinentalsxkkel Undersokelser in the North Sea in 1996 and 1997 and compare with the field data. A scenario simulation using the model is presented to demonstrate the model capability.