SubSea Dispersant lnjection (SSDI)- a "state of the art" and the need for further documentations

Abstract

The aim of this pre-project has been to give a "State-of the art" and describe the R&D challenges and documentation needed in order to perform robust NEBA (Net Environmental Benefit Analysis) where SubSea Dispersant Injection (SSDI) is included as an acceptable countermeasure option. In spill scenarios where such NEBA assessments show that SSDI is an appropriate response option, this should be included in the operator's emergency response plans for the specific location on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS). SSDI is a response technology that has a potential to be used in connection to subsea releases (blow-outs) from both "shallow" depth (< 400-500 m) as well as deeper releases (>500m). SSDI is considered as a "stand alone" countermeasure technique. The project has been a co-operation between SINTEF and Institute of Marine Research (IMR), and is a result of several scientific meetings with NOROG and individual oil companies. A focus has been on identifying documentation, relevant requirements and regulatory procedures (guidelines) needed as a basis for the national Authorities to consider SSDI as an operative oil spill response option according to present regulations for dispersant use in Norway. The identified gaps are taken into account the present findings from ongoing SSDI-related R&D projects (e.g. projects funded by the Research Council in Norway, API and IPIECA). This pre-project is recommending a R&D program / JIP over the coming 3 years (2016-2018) divided into 6 research areas (work packages) described in this report.