Maximising oil recovery: effective containment and recovery strategies
Oil spill containment and recovery are critical components of an effective response, requiring specialised equipment, trained personnel, and strategic planning. This Containment and Recovery Field Guide provides practical guidance on deploying and maintaining containment booms, recovering spilled oil efficiently, and ensuring operational safety.
From selecting the right boom type to optimising skimming techniques, this guide covers key aspects of offshore containment and recovery, including:
- Health and safety considerations: Identifying and mitigating risks, ensuring responder safety, and using the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Oil spill behaviour and containment techniques: Understanding how oil spreads and the most effective boom configurations for various conditions.
- Surveillance and tracking: Monitoring oil movement and response effectiveness through visual observations and remote sensing.
- Boom deployment and recovery methods: Step-by-step guidance on boom placement, anchoring, and retrieval.
- Mechanical recovery and storage: Selecting the most effective skimmers and managing recovered oil for transport and disposal.
- Operational efficiency and documentation: Best practices for maximising recovery rates, reducing environmental impact, and maintaining accurate records.
Successful containment and recovery require rapid deployment, proper equipment maintenance, and seamless coordination between response teams. This guide equips responders with the essential knowledge to optimise oil recovery and minimise environmental damage.
