Damage Assessment: Environmental Impact of Oil from Blowouts

摘要

There exist various alternatives to mechanical surface collections of oil after blowouts, e.g. underwater collection and the use of dispersants. The goal of the present work is to create a basis for deciding whether to pursue the research on underwater collection methods or not. A rough cost/benefit analysis comparing underwater collection with mechanical surface collection and the use of dispersants, is made. The response to a 500,000 tons oil spill at Tromsoeflaket and Statfjord is evaluated with respect to the damage reduction potential. Although the results are uncertain, it is concluded that an underwater collection device should promise an efficiency above 60% to be interesting. (ERA citation 11:012703)