Oil Spill Cleanup

It’s been several months since the April 20th BP rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico which has caused an enormous amount of oil to be poured into the Gulf, and although a tremendous amount of manpower has been utilized for the cleanup effort, it’s still important to realize that various oil spill cleanup strategies should be taken into consideration in order to mitigate the damage which will surely affect the region for decades to come.

Although the oil spill disaster in the Gulf has lost its position as the number one news item across the United States, it’s still vital that attention continues to be fixed on this monumental catastrophe which has not only destroyed a myriad amount of Gulf wildlife, environment, and livelihoods, but also hope that BP or the United States government will be able to plug the oil leak at the bottom of the Gulf and ensure that the total damage caused by the leak will be minimized as much as possible. Indeed, it has been made apparent that other oil spill cleanup and spill containment ideas should be taken into consideration, especially if they are made by organizations that have had a tremendous amount of experience with marine and offshore engineering with respect to oil spills.

Although current oil spill cleanup efforts may be making some headway, it’s certain that other voices regarding the matter should be heard, especially those of Stewart Technology Associates, who has already outlined effective cleanup and containment measures which could be put into effect immediately. These cleanup and containment efforts will utilize large floating booms, each 1-mile long, whose robust design is for continuous operations in waves of up to ten feet high. This cleanup and containment initiative can have an immediate impact, and without a doubt, should be used at least in tandem with other cleanup and containment measures already in place.

Stewart Technology Associates has the experience, resources, and skills to help with the Gulf oil spill cleanup efforts, and if given the chance, will ensure that effective cleanup and containment measures will be set up so that the immense devastation in the Gulf will be mitigated as much as possible. If you would like to find out more regarding the high quality marine and offshore engineering consultancy services including marine accident investigation, then don’t hesitate to contact Stewart Technology Associates directly, or feel free to continue browsing through the rest of our website.

Featured Article:

Oil Spill Cleanup Improvements Offered By STA Have Proven Valuable To Global Clients

[Posted on Jan 16]

Stewart Technology Associates has been helping those in the marine and offshore drilling industry make immediate improvements to their operations since 1986. When CEO and founder Bil Stewart started the company, he did so because he felt that there was something lacking in the field and that he could fill that void. His instinct has proven to be correct and in the time since starting the company, STA has grown to become a global force in the industry, having worked with clients from many different parts of the world. STA has continually innovated in the field and adapted with the many changes it has gone through over the past few decades, something that’s essential to the long term success of any organization working within this unique industry.

Among the biggest problems encountered by offshore drilling operations is the fallout following an oil spill. It’s not realistic for these operations to hope to completely avoid these kinds of marine accidents. Regardless of the industry, accidents are bound to happen and offshore drilling is no exception. What veterans of the field recognize is that being adequately prepared for these accidents so they cause the least amount of damage possible is the only way to approach these situations. This includes enacting effective spill containment and oil spill cleanup when needed.

The extensive experience of Stewart Technology Associates is why we are regularly brought in by these drilling operations to assess their current oil spill cleanup methods. After analyzing what they have in place, STA is able to identify areas that can be improved and then offer recommendations on how to make those adjustments. Certainly STA can be called upon in emergency situations when the planned oil spill cleanup has been ineffective but taking a proactive approach will ultimately yield better results.

With proper spill containment followed by oil spill cleanup, more of the oil can be saved and the overall losses incurred by the drilling operation can be decreased. The insight provided by STA has protected clients from dealing with public relations nightmares that accompany more damaging oil spills. When oil spill cleanup works, the harm that’s done is minimal and there isn’t the same kind of negative reaction that occurs with larger spills. STA can look deeper into the situation with a marine accident investigation when there are questions of what caused the accident. These are the different ways that a relationship with Stewart Technology Associates is valuable for a drilling operation.  

Read More Articles Below:

Supporting Documents...     (PDF Files)

• Alternative Response Outline Proposal Submitted to Horizon Response Team on May 3rd, 2010
• NOAA Spill Information, May 20, 2010
• NOAA Spill Prediction for May 23, 2010, issued on May 20, 2010

Estimating the Spill Volume...

From examining the above two NOAA documents showing the extent of the spill, it is estimated that around 650,000 barrels, or 27 million gallons of oil are on the water surface. This would be an equivalent to an oil flow rate of 22,000 barrels, or 900,000 gallons per day for 30 days.

Underwater video of main spill location on May 21st, 2010