Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

CANADA #252: Oil Spill Response in Ice Covered Waters  (Oil Spill Response)

Outline
Advancing Oil Spill Response in Ice Covered Waters – An international research program to advance our knowledge and capabilities to respond to oil spills in ice. With anticipated increased in marine transport and industrial activities in the Arctic (e.g. offshore oil and gas exploration) the impact of oil spills in the Arctic environment has become an emerging concern. To address this issue, in November 2003 a 2-day workshop was hosted in Anchorage Alaska by the US Arctic Research Commission and the Prince William Sound Oil Spill Recovery Institute entitled "Advancing Oil Spill Response in Ice Covered Waters". The aim of the meeting was to identify programs and research and development projects to improve our ability to deal with accidental oil spills that occur on top of or underneath solid, stable ice extending out from shore (land-fast), into an area of drifting ice floes (pack ice), or onto an ice-covered shoreline. Spill response operations in ice and open water are fundamentally different. These variances must be recognized when determining the fate and effects of spilled oil and the most appropriate remedial strategy under various ice conditions. Both scientific knowledge and new spill response technologies are needed by environmental resource managers and spill responders to protect the environment. Research topics identified during the workshop include: •Improved understanding of nature recovery processes (e.g. oil mineral aggregate formation; habitat recovery) •Remote detection of oil-in-ice •Development and evaluation of oil spill countermeasures oIn-situ burning and potential use of chemical herders oMechanical recovery systems (e.g. skimming, prop wash, pneumatic bubblers) oOil dispersion (Chemical oil dispersants, enhanced oil mineral aggregate formation) This project proposes to conduct a series of experimental field trials to: •Improve our understanding of the fate and behavior of oil under different marine conditions •Test and validate improved response spill countermeasure technologies and strategies developed in laboratory or meso-scale tests •Develop operational guidelines for specific technologies •Provide training to oil spill responders •Build confidence and trust among all stakeholders in oil spill response (public, industry and government) There is a particular need for further tests in dynamic pack ice. Experience has shown repeatedly that it is not feasible to rely on “spills of opportunity” to collect scientific data sets as proper controls are unavailable. The experimental field trial will be designed as comprehensive international programs that will integrate scientific, engineering and operational elements. It can be carried out safely and in an environmentally responsible manner with a high degree of confidence, through a rigorous process of program design and execution.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
This project will seek to exploit new technological and logistical capabilities, and to make major advances in scientific knowledge and understanding of the Arctic environment. The project incorporates an interdisciplinary approach and facilitates international access to field sites. The project will provide baseline data, predictive models and monitoring technologies for environmental processes and conditions in the Arctic in reference to contaminant hydrocarbons. It aims to catalyse the broader involvement of nations in polar research, addresses training and capacity building and is of public interest. It aims to leave a legacy research networks pertaining to oil spills in the Arctic, as well as improved scientific knowledge and a reference database to for future comparative studies on environmental change. The program will attract and develop the next generation of polar researchers and engineers, and to engage the interest and involvement of polar residents, and of schoolchildren, the general public, and decision-makers, worldwide.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
This will be a collaborative international project with representatives from government institutes, agencies and organizations worldwide that are currently involved in Arctic spill research. A workshop will be hosted in the fall of 2005 will identify participants and potential funders.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Proposed field work location: Canadian Arctic – Beaufort Sea

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 07/07 – 07/07      08/07 – 08/07      
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
This project will require the support of an ice-breaker as a working platform for the controlled oil spill study. Regulatory compliance monitoring of the spill will require helicopter support. The scientific monitoring program and sampling may include the use of remotely controlled and/or autonomous under water vehicles, satellites and fixed-wing aircraft.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
As a direct result of this study an network for arctic oil spill response will be established. Standard protocols will be established for oil spill response to oil spills in arctic waters.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Consortium
Own national polar operator
Another national polar operator
National agency
Commercial operator
Own support

A workshop will be hosted in the fall of 2005 to define project objects and to identify project stakeholders. It is envisioned that logistics for this project will be provided by international government agencies and private industry (e.g., oil and gas industry) collaborators involved in the study.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Submission of the proposal is supported by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Support for an international workshop in the fall of 2005 to coordinate potential stakeholders to support the proposed IPY project has been secured from the U.S. Minerals Management Service (U.S. Department of the Interior) and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
Yes

This is a new project submission. The project will be developed with a consortium of international government and private sector agencies in 2005. An organizational workshop is planned for the fall of 2005 with key global players.

How will the project be organised and managed?
This is an international effort that will be managed by a Management Committee with representatives from various agencies responsible for individual projects within the program. The Principal Investigator (PI) of the project is Dr. Kenneth Lee, Fisheries and Oceans Canada. He has experience in the conduct of previous controlled oil spill experiments in Canada, the United States, France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Norway.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The project will publish a newsletter to insure interested parties and the public are aware of ongoing activities and findings of the research. Education and outreach is a major component of this project as its deliverables (improved oil spill fate and behaviour and oil spill response protocols) will be used on a global scale by environmental resource managers and the oil spill response community. Thus, knowledge and technology transfer will be an integral part of the project plan.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Data management of the project will be organized among the participants. Data management specialists from Fisheries and Oceans Canada will be involved in the set up and maintenance of an open database that can be transferred to other international data resource centres as required.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
To cover the scope of this project, it is essential to involve different centres of expertise on a global level. A workshop is planned for the fall of 2005 with representatives from government institutes, agencies and organizations worldwide that are currently involved in Arctic spill research to facilitate a co-funded IPY program. Representative invitees (example): •Fisheries and Oceans Canada •National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) •US Department of Interior, Minerals Management Service (MMS) •Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission - Helsinki Commission (HELCOM) •Finnish Environment Institute in conjunction with VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland •International Navigation Association (PIANC), Maritime Navigation Commission •Arctic Council Working Group on Emergency, Prevention, Preparedness and Response (EPPR) •Norwegian Clean Seas Association for Operating Companies (NOFO) Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation - Charter agreement between with BP Exploration (Alaska) and ConocoPhillips

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Research Scientist Kenneth Lee
Bedford Institute of Oceanography
P.O. Box 1006
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
B2Y 4A2
Canada

Tel: (902) 426-7344
Mobile: (902) 401- 4978
Fax: (902) 426-1440
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation