Ipieca members work proactively to improve marine spill preparedness and response capability globally. Members monitor, assess and respond to marine-spill related developments and engage with external stakeholders, including governments and regulators, to enhance understanding, build capacity, and run practice exercises.
Marine spill preparedness and response is key to minimising environmental impacts and ensuring the sustainable use of oceans, seas and marine resources for economic development and human wellbeing.
Examples of member action
Collaborative exercise to enhance national oil and chemical spill responsePTTEP joined the 13th Thailand Oil and Chemical Spill Response Exercise (TOC-Ex13) organised by the Marine Department, enhancing its ability to respond effectively to emergency situations.
The exercise was a collaborative effort involving relevant government and private agencies including Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Center (Thai-MECC), the Royal Thai Navy, the Department of Mineral Fuels, the Pollution Control Department, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation and the Oil Industry Environmental Safety Group Association (IESG) as well as approximately 20 other related agencies.
The exercise contained a theoretical section where participants received lectures on Thailand’s responses to marine pollution and a drill where participants undertook simulated emergency responses and discussion-based table-top exercise. Participants were required to come up with applicable responses and approaches in mobilising available resources to contain and clean up the spills in the quickest, most appropriate and most efficient manner, with minimum impacts on the environment and natural resources and the rehabilitation of the marine ecosystem.
Participating in joint training and workshop with government agencies is part of PTTEP’s work procedures, reflecting the top priority given to safety, security, occupational health and environmental management. Realising that adhering to maximum safety standards is imperative for the petroleum exploration and production business, PTTEP underlines safety standards in all work procedures to ensure efficiency, safety, and preparedness for emergency response in accordance with legal and international standards.
Enhancing marine biodiversity monitoring and environmental risk assessment through innovationAker BP actively supports research and development initiatives aimed at enhancing environmental monitoring and biodiversity assessments. One such project focuses on scaling up the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) technology. As organisms move through their environment, they shed genetic material, which can be collected from water and sediment samples. This non-invasive, cost-effective sampling method allows for the detection of a greater diversity of species compared to traditional techniques, providing a more comprehensive understanding of biodiversity in surveyed areas.
In addition to eDNA research, Aker BP also supports various studies aimed at improving environmental risk assessments and ecosystem protection. This includes Seatrack, a project dedicated to tracking seabirds in North Atlantic waters to better understand their movements and behaviour. The company is also involved in KnowSandeel, a study that assesses the sensitivity of sand eels to oil exposure, providing critical insights into how oil spills may affect these key species within the marine food chain.
Furthermore, Aker BP is contributing to the development of the SYMBIOSES environmental risk analysis tool. This tool is designed to assess the potential impacts of oil spills on marine fish stocks, improving the industry's ability to make informed decisions regarding environmental protection.
Through these initiatives, Aker BP is leveraging advanced technology and scientific research to enhance marine biodiversity assessments, support conservation efforts, and improve environmental risk management in offshore operations.
LandfarmingAssala utilises ex-situ landfarming to treat legacy sludge, oil residue, and black spot areas contaminated with hydrocarbons. This process utilises bioremediation, employing enzymes and microorganisms to degrade pollutants into less harmful substances.
Results from tests conducted by an independent laboratory in December 2022 showed a significant reduction in average hydrocarbon concentration in the soil, meeting France’s Bureau de recherches géologiques et minières (BGRM) recommendations for contaminated land management.
Assala has been remediating legacy black spots since 2019, with 27,000m3 of treated land backfilled into excavated zones since 2022. This technique not only eliminates legacy waste but also provides a solution in the event of any future spills, allowing contaminated soil to be rehabilitated and returned to the environment. Continuous monitoring of groundwater sources ensures timely identification should there be any newly contaminated areas, including natural seeps. Teams are in place, ready to respond in case of a spill, removing soil for treatment at the dedicated landfarming site.
Related resources
Good practice guidance, awareness briefings and webinars to support companies to enhance marine spill preparedness and response.
- All marine spill preparedness and response resources
- The Ipieca-IMO Global Initiative
- Dispersants resources
View the Ipieca Principles toolkit and Ipieca-WBCSD SDG Roadmap for more suggested actions, useful resources and reference points.