Effective Oil Spill Response package

An oil spill response kit is a specialised assembly of equipment designed to mitigate environmental disasters and protect fragile ecosystems. It’s essential role in environmental protection is underpinned by its ability to rapidly contain and clean up spills and prevent further contamination. Timely deployment of these kits can significantly reduce the ecological and economic impacts of oil spills.

An effective oil spill response package must be able to:

1. Contain – contain oil spill with an oil containment boom
2. Recover – recover oil with an oil skimmer
3. Storage – store recovered oil with a tank or barge

Additionally, it is essential to consider how the equipment will be taken to the spill site and the best packaging solution for the equipment may be an ISO or DNV offshore certified container or a trailerised package.  Other options are possible.

Additionally, the inclusion of these components not only meets regulatory standards but also emphasises sustainable practices, thereby reducing long-term environmental risks.

Essential components: Booms, skimmers and tanks

Oil Containment Booms

Cutting Edge design and high-quality materials are key to an effective response package.  Booms are an effective containment method for dealing with spills which may be deployed offshore, nearshore, on beaches, riverways, ports and harbours worldwide.  Boom designs are suited to their area of deployment.  For example, HI Sprint is a heavy-duty fast deployment boom well suited to offshore applications whereas Shoreguardian is a beach sealing boom well suited to areas where land meets sea.   Time is of the essence when deploying a boom and the quicker it is deployed, the quicker the oil is contained and damage caused by spreading is reduced.  Booms act as the frontline barrier in protecting coastal and marine environments from further damage caused by oil spills.

Oil Recovery Skimmers

Oil recovery skimmers, including the Komara range of skimmers are engineered to efficiently separate oil from water. Their specialised design effectively recovers oil with minimum water content while reducing impact to the surrounding environment.  For an efficient recovery operation, the recovery of water alongside oil is kept to a minimum.  Use of Komara oleophilic disc skimmers are highly efficient with oil content of up to 98% of recovered liquid and just 2% water.  This means storage requirements are kept to a minimum with mostly oil and very little water.  This keeps costs of the operation down and maximises the use of storage.

An oil skimmer is typically deployed within an area of oil contained by an oil containment boom. 

Dual Strategy for Effective Response

The use of both booms and skimmers formulates a comprehensive approach to spill control that balances immediate containment with efficient recovery. This dual strategy maximises the effectiveness of each response phase and ensures that oil is both contained and effectively removed. The harmonised operation of these two systems is key to an effective to an oil spill response operation.

Storage of recovered oil in tanks

Recovered oil can be temporarily stored on land or at sea.  Portable land-based storage solutions include self-supporting tanks such as the Vikotank or framed tanks, such as StarTank.  For water-based operations, flexible floating storage tanks or floating barges such as FROST provide suitable storage which can be towed away from the spill. These storage systems are designed with an emphasis on durability and cost-efficiency, ensuring safety and compliance with regulatory requirements.  All tanks are available in a range of sizes to suit requirements.

Transfer pumps play a crucial role in safely managing and transferring recovered oil.  There are different types of pump to suit different types and viscosities of oil.  These can be standalone pumps or available as part of a skimmer package or even built as an integral part of a skimmer. Their specialised design ensures that oil is handled under controlled conditions, minimising risks associated with spills and leakage.

Supplementary Equipment for Dispersal and Clean-up

In some circumstances it may be necessary or preferential to use Oil spill dispersant equipment such as Vikoma’s TC3 which is deployed by a helicopter.  Dispersants can also be deployed at sea with Vikoma’s Vikospray or smaller backpack sprayers are available for use from land.  The dispersant breaks down oil dispearsing into the water column.  Their application facilitates the rapid dispersion of oil, thereby reducing the concentration of hazardous materials on impacted surfaces. In doing so, these tools complement the primary containment systems and further safeguard environmental integrity.

Beach and land cleaning systems, such as Vikoma’s highly effective mini-vac system are specifically designed to address contamination on land. These systems enhance the cleanup process by efficiently removing lingering oil and debris from affected areas. Their inclusion in the response kit ensures that both immediate spill containment and subsequent clean-up efforts are effectively supported.

Ancillary equipment, including paravane, reels, powerpacks, mini pipelines, and absorbents provide critical support to clean-up operations. Such equipment enhance the versatility of the response kit and ensure that operators are prepared for a range of scenarios. By incorporating these supplementary tools, the overall effectiveness and responsiveness of the spill management strategy are significantly improved.

Optimising Response

Training & Support

Comprehensive operator training and commissioning support are crucial to maximise the efficiency of an oil spill response kit. Detailed training empowers response teams with the skills needed to deploy equipment effectively under high-pressure emergencies.

Customised Packages

Customisable container and trailer packages are designed for swift on-site deployment and enhanced versatility. These tailored solutions accommodate various operational needs by consolidating equipment into easily transportable units. Vikoma’s MOSS package is a neatly organised package of equipment in a neat aluminium container well suited to fit into a trailer.  FPSO packages come with offshore certified containers complete with containment recovery and storage equipment.  Their adaptability ensures that the response package can be configured to meet the unique demands of different environments.

Sustainable Innovation

Emphasising sustainable innovation and environmental stewardship, the overall approach to response package design focuses on reducing lifecycle costs while meeting regulatory standards. This commitment is reflected in the integration of advanced technology with operational efficiency and reliability. As a result, Vikoma International is able to offer a robust, forward-thinking solution that addresses both immediate spill response and long-term environmental protection.