Fighting Oil Spills in Arctic Conditions

摘要

Background Demand for oil continues to surge and the exploration for oil and gas in the Arctic Ocean continues full steam ahead. By investing in the best available technology (BAT) and solutions coupled with training and preparedness, offshore oil exploration and drilling can be conducted in a more responsible and safe manner. Methods The ecosystems in the Arctic are extremely vulnerable and therefore mechanical oil recovery is the most suitable oil combating method. Equipment selected for use in the arctic should be robust, simple and incorporate cold temperature adaptations such as engine and hydraulic oil heaters, hot water or steam heating etc. to prevent equipment from freezing and have the ability to avoid or process any ice that may be encountered. Objectives Lamor Corporation has three specific skimmer types for use in Arctic conditions i.e. free floating skimmers, crane-operated skimmers deployed from vessels and vessel mounted oil recovery systems. In addition to these skimmers, Lamor offers a full range of arctic oil recovery equipment in its product portfolio, e.g. oil transfer pumps especially developed for viscous oils as well as multipurpose ice class oil recovery vessels. Results and Conclusions These proven technologies are operational on ice breakers in the Baltic Sea and are used in several arctic oil ports. Moreover, Lamor's equipment has been utilized in several Arctic oil spills and the Lamor Response Team (LRT) has operated as on-scene commanders and supported spill operations in Arctic conditions. In 2011, Lamor's equipment was deployed and recovery operations in ice and ice sludge conditions were highly successful in the Godafoss oil spill in Norway. During the winter, the port in St. Petersburg, Russia, encounter a spill and Lamor's Arctic skimmer was deployed. Moreover, Lamor's equipment has been deployed in several oil recovery operations in Siberia, e.g. heavy oil in ice during a pipeline spill in Nizhnevartovsk, oil in ice oil recovery operations in Noyabrsk and Nefteyugansk.