ABSTRACT: Risk Assessment and Analysis of Oil Pollution of the Seas of New Zealand

JAMIESON, D. DARMID, and JOHN WARDROP, AGC Woodward Clyde, Pty. Ltd., New Zealand

Woodward-Clyde (New Zealand) Ltd. have just completed a study commissioned by the New Zealand Ministry of Transport to carry out a risk assessment and analysis of oil pollution of the seas of New Zealand. The objectives of the study were: (1) To evaluate the risks to ports and coastlines from marine oil spills in New Zealand waters; (2) To provide a breakdown of the risks according to hazard type and oil type; (3) To recommend reasonable levels of response capability (at both local and national levels) together with estimated costs and preferred locations for equipment stockpiles.

A quantitative risk assessment was carried out using data on oil types, likely spill sizes, their probability of occurrence and impact on adjacent coastline. Evaluation of the coastline included both consideration of its physical sensitivity to the impact of floating oil and assessment of its resource value in terms of ecological, recreational, and commercial values.

A numerical risk matrix was prepared for each port and section of coastline, which provided a breakdown of the risk according to individual hazards and oil types and produced a Total Risk Index for each study area. This enabled the ports and sections of coastline to be ranked according to the risk of impact from a marine oil spill.

Three levels of spill response (Basic, Intermediate, and Optimum) were developed for both the local response (ports) and the national response strategy. For each level of spill response, a list of the generic equipment requirements (dispersant, skimmer units, ocean/harbor boom, vessels) was assembled, together with estimated costs. Analysis of the optimum location(s) for the national stockpiles was also carried out.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91015©1992 AAPG International Conference, Sydney, N.S.W., Australia, August 2-5, 1992 (2009)