Oil Spill Contingency and Response (OSCAR) analysis in support of environmental impact assessment offshore Namibia

The work reported here encompasses analyses of specific potential spill sce narios for oil exploration activity planned offshore of Namibia, The analys es are carried out with the SINTEF Oil Spill Contingency and Response (OSCA R) 3-dimensional model system, A spill scenario using 150 m(3) of marine di esel demonstrates the rapidity with which such a spill will dissipate natur ally, even in light minds. Vertical and horizontal mixing bring subsurface hydrocarbon concentrations to background levels within a few days, A hypoth etical 10 day blowout scenario releasing 11,000 bbl per day of light crude oil is investigated in terms of the potential for delivering oil to selecte d bird and marine mammal areas along the Namibian coast. Worst case scenari os are selected to investigate the potential mitigating effects of planned oil spill response actions. Mechanical recovery significantly reduces, and in some cases eliminates, potential environmental consequences of these wor st case scenarios, Dispersant application from fixed vying aircraft further reduces the potential surface effects. The analysis supplies an objective basis for net environmental analysis of the planned response strategies. (C ) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.