Scenario-based recommendations for operative oil spill response in the Arctic - FateIce WP5A - OC2019 A-159

Abstract

On the Norwegian continental shelf, there no petroleum activities in ice-covered waters today or planned for the near future. However, future petroleum activities in Arctic waters can take place in areas free of ice most of the year, but with the possibility of occasional drifting sea ice in the winter season. Besides, there will be future increasing ships traffic in the Arctic and ice-covered waters, which demands an operational oil spill contingency for icy waters. This report gives examples of scenario-based recommendations on potential operative oil spill response options in the Arctic given an acute oil spill in open water where the weathered oil is drifting into an ice barrier or a frazil ice field or if the oil is spilled inside an ice field. The purpose of the scenario-based recommendations is to assist in evaluation of potential oil spill response options. The different response options are evaluated with respect to expected technical achievements related to oil type and weathering properties, ice conditions and wind speed. The recommendations will present information to assist decision-makers and personnel working with oil spills to choose the most promising and best available response methods and strategies in case of an oil spill where oil may interact with ice .