Answering the Challenge of Arctic Conditions to Oil Spill Incidents: Improved Response Modeling

The main goal of this research project was to adapt existing National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Emergency Response Division (NOAA/ERD) models to more accurately represent spills in a cold weather/arctic environment from potential well blowouts as well as shipping and oil transport accidents. The focus was on spills in cold waters where sea ice may be present, and blowouts in the US Arctic region.

Specifically, the objectives of the research were to:

• Develop a well blowout plume model appropriate for use under arctic conditions.
• Identify and develop appropriate algorithms for modeling the fate of spilled oil under arctic conditions.
• Identify and develop appropriate algorithms for modeling the transport of spilled oil under arctic conditions.
• Produce an operational oil spill fate and transport model suitable for use for a spill under arctic conditions that will be made available for use by the entire oil spill preparation, planning and response community.