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This report evaluates a range of oil detection sensors and oceanographic vehicles and their overall compatibility for detecting and tracking oil in water. Oil detection sensors include in situ contact sensors that utilize either direct or indirect sensing methods and surface remote sensors that utilize either passive or active sensing methods. Oceanographic vehicles include autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), autonomous surface vehicles (ASVs), and manned surface vessels.
In late 2013, Ipieca co-hosted a webinar and workshop with the Global Environmental Management Initiative (GEMI) focused on water risk assessment tools, including the Ipieca Global Water Tool (GWT) for Oil and Gas, a customised version of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) Global Water Tool, the GEMI Local Water Tool (LWT)
Despite the best intentions of an on-water response to an oil spill at sea or in a river, the likelihood is that at least some of the spilled oil will eventually reach the shoreline. (Revision 2016)
This product highlights the interface between the management of biodiversity and ecosystem services (BES) and water issues throughout upstream onshore oil and gas operations, and outlines the key management steps for identifying and assessing both dependencies and potential impacts of operations on BES, and water risks
This case study details the work of Maersk Oil Qatar to monitor and protect marine ecology at the Al Shaheen oil field
This manual describes typical 'best practices' and strategies used in petroleum refineries to manage water, including ways to reduce water usage. Improved water management in a petroleum refinery can potentially reduce the volume and cost of raw water used in refinery operations. Furthermore, improved water management may result in reductions in wastewater flow or contaminant load or both. Lower flow and contaminant load may result in lower wastewater treatment operating and maintenance costs. Optimized water management may also reduce the mass of contaminants in the treated effluent, thus improving the quality of a wastewater discharge and ultimately the environmental impact of a refinery's discharge.
Title Type Theme Published Download 
Capabilities and uses of sensor-equipped ocean vehicles for subsea and surface detection and tracking of oil spills Awareness brief Marine spill preparedness and response 16 Mar 2014 
Ipieca-GEMI Water Risk Assessment Tools Webinar and Workshop: Outcomes Summary Workshop Nature 15 Feb 2014 
A guide to oiled shoreline assessment (SCAT) surveys Good practice guidance Marine spill preparedness and response 24 Jan 2014 
Making the connection: oil and gas management of natural resources (interactive PDF) Awareness brief Nature 21 May 2013 
Promoting the conservation of marine ecology by monitoring whale sharks and biodiversity in the Arabian Gulf Case study Nature 14 Oct 2012 
Petroleum refining water / wastewater use and management Good practice guidance Nature 28 Oct 2010