The long term objective of this project is to ensure that a safe and efficient in-situ burn (ISB) process is developed for offshore spills. The immediate objective is to ensure that all lessons learned have been incorporated into guidance for future burns, confirm the state of any new developments, and conduct initial test burns in the burn tank at the Joint Maritime Test Detachment (JMTD) at Little Sand Island in Mobile Bay, Alabama.
This project will consist of the following overall tasks:
Task 1: Conduct an assessment of efforts undertaken since the Deepwater Horizon oil spill response. The assessment will include a review of new technologies that have been developed and areas where further technology development is needed; new operational procedures and/or job aids that have been developed; and the after-action evaluation concerning the use of ISB during the Deepwater Horizon response.
Task 2: Conduct test burns at the JMTD burn tank. Diesel and crude oil will be used to address questions concerning current conditions and the findings of the assessment. The processes and procedures for performing ISB will be confirmed based on previous testing and experience during the Deepwater Horizon response.
Optional Task 3: Implement the prioritized recommendations from Tasks 1 and 2.
The draft report on the November 2015 test burns has been reviewed by BSEE, and as of the date of this posting, the project is proceding on schedule.