--> Oil-Spill Modeling for Contingency Planning and Minimizing Environmental Impact, by P. B. Goodwin and T. D. Finnigan; #90986 (1994).

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Abstract: Oil-Spill Modeling for Contingency Planning and Minimizing Environmental Impact

Peter B. Goodwin, Timothy D. Finnigan

A stand alone, state-of-the-art, oil-spill modeling system (Worldwide Oil Spill Model [WOSM]) for contingency planning, oil-spill drills, impact assessment of offshore exploration drilling programs, and forecasting during spill incidence has been implemented by Chevron. This model can be used in an emergency response, or tactical mode, as well as in a strategic planning mode to determine the best locations to store spill booms and cleanup resources. It can also be used to estimate the most likely source of a spill once a spill has occurred.

The model runs on an MS-DOS 486 PC, which allows a trained user to quickly calculate spill trajectories and fates anywhere in the world using input oil properties, weather conditions, and water current. The model contains hindcast/forecast capability plus stochastic models to enable probabilistic representation of water surface and shoreline oiling. In addition to the driving forces of wind and currents, factors such as evaporation, emulsification, dispersion, sedimentation, dissolution, biodegradation and photo-oxidation are taken into consideration by the model as it predicts the fate and weathering of oil. One of the useful features of WOSM is that it allows detailed geographical information such as location of platforms, pipelines, marine terminals, and sensitive environmental are s to be displayed and incorporated into the model. Much of this geographical information is derived from remote sensing images.

The model is used to support the development of oil-spill contingency plans and to develop data for environmental impact assessments for offshore drilling, facilities, and other producing operations. It has been used to develop oil-spill trajectory and weathering forecasts in support of spill drills offshore California and Papua New Guinea. Presently, the model is being used to assess the potential spill impact of moving an offshore marine terminal in California, to develop a spill contingency plan for an exploration block in the Irish Sea, and to support an oil-spill drill in the Niger Delta.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90986©1994 AAPG Annual Convention, Denver, Colorado, June 12-15, 1994