Oil Spills in Oman: Environmental Protection, Planning and Response Case Study

Oil Spills in Oman: Environmental Protection, Planning and Response Case Study Project lead Dr Andrew Morgan Environmental Advisor, Add Energy Perth Technical Panel Dr Kellie Pendoley Director, Pendoley Environmental Perth Robert Baldwin Director, Five Oceans Environmental Services Oman Facilitated and Hosted by: Five Oceans Environmental Services - Oman Case Study 2014, Oman Stakeholder Consultation Trip

Environmental Protection Environmental Response Planning Pre-spill Spill Post-spill Wildlife species and habitats Oiled Wildlife Response Plans Natural Resource Assessment and baseline monitoring Oiled Wildlife Response Plan Implementation Protection Hazing Collection Cleanup Natural Resource Damage Assessment Impact and Recovery monitoring Operational Booms Dispersant Clean-up etc

Presentation 1: Oil Spills and the Marine Environment: Preparedness, Planning and Response Presentation 2: Development of an Environmental Protection Capability for Oil Spills. Presentation 3: Development of Capacity Case Study: Why is Oman Vulnerable? Part 1: Government Capacity Building Part 2: Industry Technical Presentation

Oil Spills and the Marine Environment: Preparedness, Planning and Response PRESENTATION 1 History of Oil Spills

Presentation Objectives 1: Summarise oil spill history 2: Outline lessons learnt historically 3: Describe natural resource damage assessment 4: Summarise an Australian Case Study The Montara blowout 5: Outline Oil Spill Planning Operational Considerations 6. Outline Oil Spill Planning Gaps 7. Outline Planning and Preparedness

1. History of Oil Spills Number of oil spills and volume of oil spilt Spills to the marine environment have increased over 170% in the last 100 years globally (n = 286 spills).

Oil Spill Sources and Volume Offshore production platforms and tanker spills account for most of the spills to the marine environment (> 60%).

2. Lessons Learnt Historically 1989: Exxon Valdez Oil Tanker grounding and spill in Prince William Sound, Alaska. Lessons Learnt Lack of oil spill contingency planning and response. Caused widespread habitat and wildlife impacts. Ranked as one of the worst oil spills ever recorded. Bought global attention to bear on the local oil industry.

2009: Deepwater Horizon (Macando) blowout in the Gulf of Mexico USA Lessons Learnt Regional Oil Spill Plans must identify local species and habitats. Identify the species and habitats most sensitive to oil. Demonstrate how wildlife will be protected from oil. Conform and integrate with government oil spill contingency plans.

2011: MV Rena container ship grounding and spill in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand Lessons Learnt Good oil spill planning and preparation limits habitat and species impacts. Successful initial response reduced the overall habitat and wildlife impacts.

3. Natural Resource Damage Assessment Response Scales Exxon Valdez tanker spill, Alaska Very large areas of shoreline very heavily oiled Deepwater Horizon blowout (Macando, Gulf of Mexico) Localised shoreline oiling over a large geographic area MV RENA Container ship grounding Localised shoreline oiling over a small geographic areas A successful response is dependant on: Identify and monitor vulnerable plants and animals prior to a spill. Prioritisation of response options through Environmental Risk Assessment. Monitoring the plants and animals long after the initial spill response and clean up operation is finished.

3. Natural Resource Damage Assessment Species and Habitat Impacts Biological impacts from oil spills: Animal health is decreased. More susceptible to disease. Skin lesions do not heal and rate of healing is decreased. Unweathered oil and weathered oil impacts animals differently. Toxic components of oil accumulate in the food chain. Entire populations of animals can be affected. Impacts vary depending on: - life stage, - Exposure time, and - location within the water column.

4. Australian Case Study: Montara blowout 2009 Blowout was offshore but in the area of: Whale migration, Turtle transit, Turtle rookeries on islands, Commercial fishing, and Seabird feeding grounds, migration routes. Impacts to the environment depend very much on the distribution of the oil slick and weathering characteristics of the oil ie evaporation rate of the toxic component of oil. Subsequent investigations found: No baseline biological data was accessible to compare what was there before, Lack of appropriate plans to respond to an oil spill offshore, and No coordination of response between industry and government.

5: Operational Considerations Drilling, construction and production and maritime transport and ports in remote locations need to account for: Location remoteness from populated centres, Weather heat, cold and storms, Logistics personnel and clean-up resources, and Scalable response options.

6: Spill Planning Gaps Common gaps still remain in oil spill planning globally. Common gaps in planning for oiled wildlife response and environmental protection within Oil Spill Plans include: 1. Failure to plan for large scale spills, 2. Failure to plan for containment of spills in deep water, or extreme heat and cold, and avoiding shoreline contact, 3. Lack of coordination between stakeholders (government, industry and non-government organisations (NGO s), and 4. Lack of Key Performance Indicators (KPI s) for spill response. 5. Lack of identifying and peritonising response options for habitats, plants and animals. Photo: Pendoley Environmental, 2014

7. Planning and Preparedness Internationally Regulators are recognising the need to shift the focus from the physical cleanup of oil spills to protection of wildlife and habitats including: Australia - Montara blowout commission of enquiry outcomes 2012. State of California (USA) - Department of Fish and Game Office of Spill Prevention and Response Wildlife Response Plan 2011. European Union Directive regarding spill response plans (Annex VII 9h) 2013. A global cooperative that through Oil Spill Response Ltd (OSRL) funds SeaAlarm, a non-profit organisation established in 2000 that highlights the need for global Oiled Wildlife response over the last decade.

Critical aspects of oil spill response is the preparation of a detailed and comprehensive oil spill plan. The plan must address: Operational response physical clean-up options, Resources equipment and personnel to carry out the clean-up, Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) collection of baseline biological data and spill impact data, and Incorporation of an Oiled Wildlife Response Plan and its associated documentation.

Development of an Environmental Protection Capability for Oil Spills PRESENTATION 2 Vulnerable industries, key sensitivities and approaches to managing risk

Presentation Objectives 1: Identify Resources at Risk From a Major Oil Spill 2: Understand Oil Spill Response Planning 3: Outline Natural Resource Protection 4: List Key Factors Critical to Oil Spill Contingency Planning 5: Outline Oiled Wildlife Response Resources During a Spill 6: Outline Post-Spill Monitoring, Recovery and Fines 7. Provide Consulting

1: Resources at Risk from a Major oil Spill Social, industrial and natural resources at risk from a major oil spill include: Public amenities beaches and marina s. Drinking water desalination. Heavy industry intake pipes. Seafood fisheries and aquaculture. Tourism reputation, diving and boating (private hotel, beaches, coral reefs etc). Global reputation. Natural resource and ecosystems habitats and wildlife. Business confidence and value. Heritage values preservation of the environment for your grandchildren.

Social and industrial values of the marine environment are based on good water quality and healthy ecosystems, which need protecting.

2: Oil Spill Response Planning Environmental Response Planning Pre-spill Spill Post-spill Wildlife species and habitats Oiled Wildlife Response Plans Natural Resource Assessment and baseline monitoring Oiled Wildlife Response Plan Implementation Protection Hazing Collection Cleanup Natural Resource Damage Assessment Impact and Recovery monitoring Operational Booms Dispersant Clean-up etc

3: Natural Resource Protection Natural Resource protection during an oil spill requires detailed and comprehensive planning. Aspects to be addressed before a spill occurs include: Offshore and shoreline mapping habitats, plants and animals. Identification of habitats and plants and animals vulnerable to oil. eg Muddy seabed versus coral reef. eg Coastal aquaculture area versus isolated rocky coast eg Turtle nesting beach versus unused beach Prioritising the biological values in order of importance for response options. Develop response strategies eg Plan to protect a local coral reef, aquaculture area or turtle nesting beach by directing an oil spill onto another beach. Containment, deflection and dispersal of the spill.

4: Natural Resource Oil Spill Contingency Planning 1. Response actions are not solely related to potential spill volumes (spill size). eg a small spill in a mangrove versus a big spill on a sandy beach. 2. Integration of government and industry oil spill plans is crucial. 3. Other potential sources of pollution must be accounted for and separated out from oil spills (eg coastal development, dredging, sewage outfall, land-based nutrient runoff etc). 4. The identification of at risk habitats and species from baseline studies and during a spill is essential. 5. Ranking species habitat vulnerability is critical. 6. Identification of resources and personnel to respond to a spill is critical to an effective Oiled Wildlife Response Plan. Kimberley Coast, Northwest Shelf, Western Australia Photo: Pendoley Environmental, 2014

5. Environmental Response Resources During A Spill People Available and ready to deploy into the field 24 hours a day 7 days a week Tracking availability week to week Associated training matrix to meet key skill requirements Diversity of skills vets, planners, field responders and wildlife handlers etc Training in key skills such as HSE, first aid, animal handling, animal cleaning Availability and training must be kept current and updated regularly.

Resources Deployment of Environmental Response Personnel

Advisory A small group of technical and management Oiled Wildlife Response Advisory Personnel Specialised Oiled Wildlife Response personnel deployed to the Incident Command Centre (ICC) and to a Field Staging location These personnel provide links to the ICC and oil spill response teams including: Government Industry Non-Government Organisations (NGO s) Oiled Wildlife Preparedness, Pendoley Environmental

6. Post-spill Ongoing fauna rehabilitation and release Long-term natural resource recovery monitoring Compare with baseline data monitoring before spill Used for Natural Resource Damage Assessment and to justify litigation and fines to industry.

6: Advisory capability Experts can help with the following: 1. Baseline monitoring programs for species and habitats 2. Sensitivity mapping and modelling of areas of potential spill impact 3. Beach profiles of potential spill impact zones 4. Oiled Wildlife Response planning 5. Standard Operating Procedures for wildlife equipment 6. Oiled wildlife education & training 7. Mobilisation model development and implementation 8. Development of wildlife equipment systems 9. Assessment of species and habitat vulnerability to oil (toxicity) 10. Preparation of Oil Spill Contingency Plans 11. Legal compliance & assessment 12. Regulations, their implementation and auditing 13. Remote site operations management training 14. Incident Command Centre (ICC) training 15. Environmental auditing 16. Environmental offsetting packages 17. Accounting for impacts of other forms of potential pollution 18. Capacity building in all of the above

PRESENTATION 3 Steps Towards complete preparedness: A Potential Strategy for Oman Development of Capacity Case Study Why is Oman Vulnerable?

Presentation Objectives PART 1 Government Presentation 1. List onshore facilities 2. Key resources at risk from an oil spill 3. Local ocean conditions driving oil spill dispersion 4. Information needed for Oil Spill Response planning 5. International Conventions 6. In-country responsibilities 7. The Australian experience 8. What does this mean for Oman? PART 2 Industry Technical Presentation 1. Highlight sensitivity mapping 2. Highlight potential impact areas and vulnerabilities 3. Outline assessment tools to use 4. Outline Regional oil spill Planning and response arrangements 5. Highlight infrastructure arrangements 6. Summarise Implementation 9. Recommendations

PART 1 GOVERNMENT PRESENTATION

1. Existing onshore facilities Coastal storage terminals at Sohar, Muscat and Salalah and one planned for Duqm. A coastal LNG facility, Oman LNG. Coastal refineries at Sohar and Mina al Fahal and one planned for Duqm. The adjacent United Arab Emirates (UAE) has a well developed offshore petroleum hydrocarbon exploration and production industry. Oman offshore bathometry Oman energy infrastructure

2. Key resources at risk from an oil spill Oman has one of the most pristine species rich coastal environments in the world: WHY? Deep ocean nutrient upwelling following the monsoon season Phytoplankton production following the monsoon. Commercial fishing Recreational fishing Fish Farming Desalination Holiday Resorts Marinas NASA Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Centre Diving Beaches

3. Local ocean conditions driving oil spill dispersion Predominant currents in the Persian Gulf. Potential Persian Gulf oil spill fate Predominant currents in the Arabian Gulf. NASA Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Centre Potential Oiled Shoreline depends on the time of year Potential for accumulatio n of oil offshore

4. Information needed for Oil Spill Response Planning Regional habitat/species maps Detail on vulnerable and/or endangered species Ocean current locations and spill fate maps Oil Type - American Petroleum Institute (API) weathering characteristics Detail on indicator species Ecotoxicity data for local indicator species (vulnerable plants and animals) Potential Persian Gulf oil spill fate Potential for accumulation of oil offshore

5. International Conventions International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Marine Pollution (MARPOL) Oil Pollution Response Convention (OPRC) 1990 and 2000 Protocol (administered by AMSA). Section 6.7.6, Wildlife Response International Conventions for World Heritage Sites, Migratory birds and other species, wetland protection etc. International Bonn Agreement Wildlife Response. Regional Organisation for Protection of the Marine Environment Gulf Corporation Council (ROPME GCC) regional protocols (Kuwait Convention).

6. In Country Regulator Responsibilities Regulators need to ensure: Industry compliance with Environmental Regulations. Public confidence in Regulator management of oil spills. Investor confidence in Regulator management of oil spills. Global Oil and Gas operators are used to the principle of Polluter Pays. IF YOU SPILL OIL, YOU PAY TO CLEAN IT UP.

7. The Australian Experience Montara Commission of Enquiry Outcomes and Environmental Regulatory Reform The two major findings of the enquiry were a lack of: Planning for an oil spill response. Baseline biological data.

Montara Blowout Commission key recommendations: Develop a National Oiled Wildlife Capability; and Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) (government) and the Australian Marine Oil Spill Centre (AMOSC) (Industry) to upgrade resources for Oiled Wildlife Response. Government Scientific agencies to provide advise to AMSA; and The government Oil Spill Plan must keep up with the latest research and technology development in oil spill response.

Australian Regulations governing Oil Spill Response State Petroleum Submerged Lands Act Environment Regulations 2012 (State Department of Mines and Petroleum, DMP). Commonwealth Environmental Protection, Biodiversity and Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999 Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES), activities with potential to impact species and sensitive areas.

The National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) was formed in 2012 as the administering government authority Recent Amendments to Commonwealth laws regulating Oil Spill Response include: Implementation of an Environmental Plan, which must include an Oil Spill Contingency Plan (OSCP), [Reg 14(4-10)]. Provision for monitoring, audit, review and management of the Oil Spill Plan [Reg 14(6)]. Inclusion of an Operational and Scientific Monitoring Program (OSMP) [Reg 14].

Key elements that address recent amendments of an Oil Spill Contingency Plan (OSCP): - Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA); - Baseline studies (what is there now); - Areas of potential impact (modelling); - HSE for personnel; and - Must meet the requirements of Environmental Management System (ISO14001) and Risk Management (ISO31000). NOTE: As of 30 November 2013 industry must demonstrate that they can pay to clean up an oil spill.

8. What does this mean for Oman? Priorities to consider: Environmental Regulations for oil spill planning and response; Review of the National Plan against current requirements for Oil Spill Response Planning; Development of oiled wildlife rehabilitation centre(s); Ability to enforce compliance under Environment Regulations (environmental crime); and Development of Emergency Response infrastructure to implement the National Plan for Oil Spills. Integration with the Oman Coast Guard offers a potential solution to implementation of regulatory reforms.

9. Recommendations Review the status of Oman oil spill response capabilities for both government and industry Identify the gaps in planning and resourcing oil spill response Develop a plan to fill the gaps Get industry to pay to fill the gaps

PART 2 INDUSTRY Technical Presentation

1. Sensitivity mapping Determine spill fate resulting from different petroleum hydrocarbon activity locations along the coast and offshore. Map other economic activities that overlap with petroleum hydrocarbon exploration and production activities. Overlay with the location and density of species and their habitats. Determine the how vulnerable they are to exposure to hydrocarbons resulting from an oil spill. Prioritise and rank the importance of these species and their habitats. Determine appropriate response strategies and incorporate into industry Oil Spill Contingency Plans. Oman Regional Oil Spill Response Plans under the National Plan for oil spill response, would incorporate environmental and wildlife protection, planning and response.

2. Living Natural Resources NASA Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center Predominant currents in the Persian Gulf. Potential Oiled Shoreline depends on the time of year Spill fate depends on the location of the petroleum hydrocarbon activity Phytoplankto n production following the monsoon. Potential Persian Gulf oil spill fate Potential for accumulation of oil offshore Predominant currents in the Arabian Gulf. Turtle migration, feeding and nesting Primary production impacts (algae) Seasonal variation in impacts Impacts on bird populations (offshore and onshore) Fisheries impacts (coastal and offshore) Sub-tidal benthic habitat and communities impacted (coral) Intertidal benthic habitat and communities impacted Resident and migratory marine mammals (dolphins, dugongs, whales) impacted

3: Tools - modelling oil spill movement Click picture: EXAMPLE: This is a coral atoll and submerged coral reef system adjacent to a drilling rig off the Northwest Shelf of Australia with an abundance of marine life including: Birds, turtles, dolphins, dugongs, whales, sharks, seasnakes and corals

3. Tools - Automated Data Inquiry for Oil Spills (ADIOS) ADIOS (Automated Data Inquiry for Oil Spills) is the USA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) oil weathering model. Models how different types of oil weather (undergo physical and chemical changes) in the marine environment. Develop response strategies based on estimates of how long spilled oil will remain in the environment. Used to inform wild-life response and environmental protection decision-making offshore and onshore. http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/adios

3. Tools Oil Spill Vulnerability Indices Calculator Community-based participation in workshops Ranks and prioritises response to oil spills by site Determines appropriate response options Provides a record of participation Can be updated as required A tool for use by spill planners and responders A facilitator leads the workshop Cost effective solution that minimises analysis and reporting time Contributes to a country-wide database

Features For an identified site the database automatically integrates: Summed consequence scores for sensitivities into a site ranking intrinsic community value (no oil); Summed impact scores for sensitivities into a site ranking (with oil); and Converts overall priority response scores into a site ranking of importance. Ranks are linked to an automated report that details shoreline response options that also account for: Sea state; Wildlife response; and Physical features.

Environment al Risk Assessment software and summary and report table. Protection and clean-up options are determined from additional drop-down tables.

4. Regional Planning and Response to meet industry needs Onshore - by region/industry onshore (storage, terminals and refineries) Sohar to Muscat refineries Oman LNG plant/terminal Duqm Refinery and storage Salalah - Storage Offshore Drilling and production (by arrangement with regional onshore facilities) Tankers (by arrangement with regional onshore facilities) Planning and preparedness for first strike Oiled Wildlife Response Resourcing of onshore habitat protection, spill deflection and wildlife deterrence, relocation and recovery considerations (centralised stockpiles) Resourcing of offshore spill containment and wildlife deterrence and recovery considerations (centralised stockpiles)

5. Infrastructure Provision of infrastructure, equipment and resource capacity 1. Duqm Port supply base designated staging for equipment. 2. Muscat Port supply base designated staging for equipment. 3. Hydrocarbon Activity - A minimum amount of first strike equipment held by the company onshore or offshore engaged in a hydrocarbon activity. 4. Oman - Centrally held stockpiles at a government/industry co-funded Oil Spill Response, Education and Wildlife Rehabiliation Centre. 5. Coast Guard Forms an integral part of the success of this facility. Monitoring requirements 1. Operational plans developed spill fate and impact during a spill (access to modelling, weather and water column data). 2. Scientific baseline monitoring of background hydrocarbon levels, species, habitat composition and population numbers for areas of potential impact on and offshore.

6. Implementation A Natural Resource Industry Oil Spill Response, Education and Wildlife Rehabilitation centre Setup and resourcing of a permanent multi-use Oil Spill Centre. The centre hosts environmental monitoring, protection and enforcement. Training and education including: Public education and awareness. Public Oiled Wildlife Response Carer networks. Industry and government courses in oil spill response. Centre carries Oiled Wildlife response equipment for Oman Coastal and marine animals can be rehabilitated (oiled and/or sick and injured). The Oman Coastguard would form an integral part of this facility.