OIL Spill IT Report

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DEDICATION

This work is dedicated to God almighty, for his guidance and protection

all through my training. Mr and Mrs. G.O Nwachukwu and all my Sisters for

their support Financially, Academically, Morally and Spiritually.

This work is also dedicated to all staff of NOSDRA Port- Harcourt,

Rivers state for their support and encouragement.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I want to express my profound gratitude to Engr. Chikwe, all my course

Advisers since my first Year and all Petroleum Engineering lecturers of this

Institution whose constant motivation and teachings have made me a better

student.

I want to appreciate all the Staff of NOSDRA P/H for all their support, my

SIWES supervisor, Mr. Isheke Godspower for his help, the Acting Head of P/H Zonal

office Mr. Enyi for giving me the opportunity to go to the field and Mrs. Mariah

Dogo for helping me secure an IT place in this wonderful parastatal. God

bless you all.

A big thank you to all my friends; Inyang, Chinasa, Daby, Irem, Amaka,

Frank, Solomon, Ifeanyi and all other special people whose names were not

mentioned and to all colleagues both in the place of work and in school

without whose help this work would have not being possible.

I also want to acknowledge the federal government for setting up this

SIWES programme.

God bless you all.

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TABLE OF CONTENT Dedication i

Acknowledgement ii

Table of content iii

CHAPTER ONE

History of the organisation NOSDRA 1

Objectives of NOSDRA 2

The Various Departments in the Organisation and their functions. 3

Organisational Chart of the Organisation. 5

CHAPTER TWO:

The activities Engaged in during SIWES 10

Oil spill in Nigeria 10

Causes of Oil Spill 13

Oil Spill Management 18

Work Done/Jobs Engaged In During SIWES 23

CHAPTER THREE:

The problems I encountered during the course of my Training. 34

CHAPTER FOUR:

Conclusion and General Appraisal of the programme 35

REFERENCES 36

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HISTORY OF NOSDRA

Nigeria is richly endowed with abundant human and natural recourses

both renewable and non-renewable ; some of which include Forest, Water,

Crude oil, Natural Gas and solid minerals.

However the Nigerian environment today is faced with many problems

arising from the impact of human activities and natural phenomenon in relation

to these natural resources. The gravity of these problems led to the

establishment of Federal Environmental Protection Agency(FEPA) by decree

48 1989 under General Ibrahim Babaginda after high toxic waste shifted to the

shore in Koko in 1988, which adversely affected the vegetation and water

body. Subsequently in a bid to make FEPA more effective the Federal

Government under President Olusegun Obasanjo amended FEPA to be the

Federal Ministry of Environment in June 1999 and its mandate was to

implement the National policy on environment. The committee on oil spillage

in FME drafted a National Oil Spill Contingency plan(NOSCP). The key

recommendation of the committee was to implement the NOSCP. The

committee drafted a bill for the creation of NOSDRA which was submitted to

the National Assembly. The National Oil Spill Detection and Response

Agency(NOSDRA) which is now a parastatal under the FME was finally

established by Act NO 15 of the National Assembly and was signed into Law

by President Olusegun Obasanjo on the 18th of October 2006.

NOSDRA is vested with the responsibility to coordinate the

implementation of NOSCP for Nigeria in accordance with the international

Convention on Oil Pollution (OPRC) 1990, to which Nigeria is a signatory.

NOSDRA is also mandated to play a lead role in ensuring timely,

effective and appropriate response to oil spill, as well as ensuring clean-up

and remediation of all impacted sites to all best practical extent. It shall also

identify High risk/priority areas in the oil producing environment for protection

as well as ensure compliance of oil industry operators with all existing

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environmental legislation in the petroleum sector. NOSDRA also has the clear

mandate of monitoring the coastal areas of the Niger Delta to ascertain the

possibility of oil spill, the degree of spill when it happens. Its vision statement

is “To create, nurture and sustain zero tolerance for oil spill incident in the

Nigerian environment”.

OBJECTIVES OF NOSDRA

The objectives of the Agency shall be to co-ordinate and implement the

National Oil Spill Contingency Plan for Nigeria as follows:-

(a) Establish a viable national operational organization that ensures a safe,

timely, effective and appropriate response to major or disastrous

oil pollution.

(b) Identify high-risk areas as well as priority areas for protection and clean

up;

(c) Establish the mechanism to monitor and assist or where expedient direct

the response, including the capability to mobilize the necessary

resources to save lives, protect threatened environment, and clean up to the

best practical extent of the impacted site;

(d) Maximize the effective use of the available facilities and resources of

corporate bodies, their international connections and oil spill

cooperatives i.e. Clean Nigeria Associates (CNA) in implementing appropriate

spill response;

(e) Ensure funding and appropriate and sufficient pre-positioned pollution

combating equipment and materials, as well as functional communication

network system required for effective response to major oil pollution;

(f) Ensure a programme of activation, training and drill exercises to ensure

readiness to oil pollution preparedness and the management of

operational personnel;

(g) Co-operate and provide advisory services, technical support and

equipment for purposes of responding to major oil pollution incident in the

West African sub-region upon request by any neighbouring country,

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particularly where a part of the Nigerian territory may be threatened;

(h) Provide support for research and development (R&D) in the local

development of methods, materials and equipment for oil spill detection

and response;

(i) Co-operate with the International Maritime Organization and other

national, regional and international organizations in the promotion and

exchange of results of research and development programme relating to the

enhancement of the state-of-the art technology in oil pollution

preparedness and response, including technologies, techniques for

surveillance, containment, recovery, disposal and clean up to the best

practical extent;

(j) Establish agreements with neighbouring countries regarding the rapid

movement of equipment, personnel and supplies into and out of the

countries for emergency oil spill response activities;

(k) Determine and ensure pre-positioning of vital oil spill combat equipment at

most strategic areas for rapid response;

(l) Establish procedures by which the Nigerian Customs Service and the

Nigerian Immigration Services shall ensure rapid importation of extra

support response equipment and personnel;

(m) Develop and implement an appropriate audit system for the entire plan.

VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS AND FUNCTIONS

There are three (3) departments in NOSDRA

i. Oil Spill Detection and Response (OSDR)

ii. Policy Planning Analysis and Research (PPAR)

iii. Administration and Finance (A&F)

Oil Spill Detection and Response (OSDR)

This department is responsible for the following;

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v Facility Assessment

- Oil spill contingency plan

- Review of NOSCP and industrial oil companies

- Inventory and monitoring of oil companies oil spill response equipment

and material.

v Operation planning and migration

- Oil spill evaluation, clean up and monitoring

- Oil spill post impact assessment and evaluation

- Oil spill data documentation and analysis

- Liaison with the PPAR department

- Evaluation of oil impacted sites

- Monitoring of remediation process

- Certification of remediated sites

v Intelligence and spill control

- Community complaints

- Evaluation response - Conflict resolution - Liaison with legal unit and evolve programmes to enhance host

community and oil companies co-operation

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ORGANISATIONAL CHART OF NOSDRA

Policy Planning Analysis and Research (PPAR)

v Policy planning

- Planning, training and manpower development - International relations - Organize and coordinate awareness program.

v Research and Development

- Laboratory services

- Analysis of field samples

- Testing/Registration of oil spill products

v Geographic Information System

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- Remote sensing

- Environmental Sensitivity index mapping

- Satellites imageries.

Administration and Finance

- Provides the admin frame work for the operation of NOSDRA

- Oversees personal establishment matters

- Participates in budget preparation

- Evolves in effective appraisal and system for the agencies pension

scheme and salary matters.

- Coordinates the activities of the activities of the division which includes

recruitment , promotion, staff movement as well as staff welfare.

- Regulate and sets standards to enforce harmonized bidding and tender

documents for all NOSDRA contacts.

- Performs procurement audit, process and prepare all payment

documents in respect of NOSDRA.

NOSDRA BUSINESS ACTIVITIES

With the onerous task ahead, NOSDRA is intensively engaged with ensuring

compliance with environmental legislation in the Nigerian petroleum sector

with its mandate to play the lead role in ensuring timely, effective and

appropriate response to oil spills by embarking on Joint Investigation Visits

(JIV), ensuring clean up/post clean up inspection and Remediation of oil

impacted sites to all best practical extent, monitors oil spill drill exercises and

facility inspection. Also identify high risk/priority areas in the oil producing

environment for protection.

PENALTIES AS IN SECTION 6(2) OF THE NOSDRA ACT

NOSDRA operates on “Polluter Pay Principle” with the penalties as follows;

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- An oil spiller is by this Act to report an oil spill to the Agency in writing

not later than 24hours after the occurrence of an oil spill, in default of

which the failure attract a penalty of N500,000 or for each day of failure

to report the occurrence.

- The failure to clean up the impacted site, to all practical extent, including

remediation shall attract a further One Million Naria.

- Such notice in writing is deemed to have been made if delivered at the

nearest zonal office closer to the impacted site, and of the Agency, the

National Control and Response Centre within the stipulated time in

subsection 6.2(1).

HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT (HSE)

The HSE is aimed at instructing all employees to make every effort to protect

themselves and their fellow workers by being conscientiously acting to the

health and safety programme that has been developed and documented

specifically for the work environment.

The Agency has its policy “SAFETY FIRST” as such before any project or task

is carried out both in the office and at the field. The Agency’s HSE officer

ensures that all workers put on appropriate personal protective Equipment

(PPE) - coverall, Hand Gloves, Safety Boots, Safety Helmet, Eye Goggle, and

also adheres to safety measures and rules and regulations.

DEFINITION OF HSE

This is a quantity management system for managing the risk in the protection

of its people, assets and reputation and the protection of the environment the

company or organization operate on.

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The vital element of HSE is the integration of safety into business through

additional and unique element. These elements include;

- Leadership and Commitment

- Policy and Strategic Objectives

- Organization, Responsibilities, Resources, Standard and

Documentation

- Hazard and effort Management

- Planning and Procedures

- Audit

- Management Review

HSE POLICY

This is a definite course or method of action selected from alternatives and in

line with given and determine present and future decision. Furthermore, it’s a

statement from management indicating the principle, guidelines and standards

that establish the limits to choice and the rules to be followed by the

organization. The requirement of the policies could be

- HSE policy

- Commitment to health, Safety and the Environment

- Community relation policies

- Company HSE and Community Statement

HSE RULES AND REGULATIONS

They are meant to ensure that company’s or organization’s HSE objectives

are realized. They enable the policies of a company to pursue the goals of no

harm to the people, its staff, contactors employee or other persons, and to

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protect the environment. These set of rules and procedures requires to be

adhered while executing any work. Strict adherence will prevent any accident

that could result in injury to people or loss of product, which can lead to

environmental pollution, and exposure of person to hazard.

HSE REGULATION

In addition to company’s rules and procedure, there are legislative regulations

and as there supervised by the factories inspectorate of Federal Ministry of

Labour, the Director of Petroleum Resources and Federal Ministry of

Environment that must be complied with for the protection of the person and

environment. Such legislative regulations include, the Mineral Oils (safety)

regulations, the petroleum Degree N0. 51 1969, Explosive Decree N0. 38

1967, and Workman compensation Act, the factories Act 1999.

There are also codes that regulate design and practices such as International

Standard Organization, Nigeria Institute of Safety Professionals (NIP) etc.

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CHAPTER TWO

ACTIVITIES ENGAGED IN DURING THE SIWES PROGRAME

OIL SPILLAGE

The world today depends on petroleum products (Crude oil and Natural

gas) for their energy. In the past those involved in the production of this

natural resource were so engrossed in what they produce beneath that they

paid little or no consideration to the volatile materials being released into the

environment in the form of oil spill.

During the period of my industrial attachment, I was placed in the Oil

Spill Detection And Response (OSDR) department otherwise known as the

Technical department as a result of my course of study. In OSDR, all activities

are geared towards the response to oil spill and subsequent field

investigations to determine the quantity of oil spilled, the type of material

released (i.e. gas condensate or crude), the area of impact and the part of the

environment impacted (either Land, Swamp, or Water), how the spill was

cleaned and the necessary steps taken to return the environment back to its

initial state before the oil was spilled.

OIL SPILL IN NIGERIA

Since the discovery of crude oil in Nigeria in 1956, by Shell British Petroleum

(now Royal Dutch Shell) at Oloibiri, a village in Bayelsa State, the Niger Delta

region of Nigeria, the country has been suffering the negative environment

consequences of oil development through the problems of Sabotage, fire,

poor management and lack of maintenance of oil facilities. The growth of the

country’s oil industry, combined with a population explosion and a lack of

enforcement of environmental regulations has led to substantial damage to

Nigeria’s ecosystem, especially in the above region.

Presently, there are 500 oil fields in Nigeria, of which over 55% are on-shore

and the rest are offshore i.e. shallow waters (less than 500 meters). Of these

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fields, 193 are currently producing while 23 have either been closed-down or

abandoned. and ranked the largest oil producer in Africa and the eight (8th) in

the world. Estimated oil reserve is put at 25billion barrels and the average

production of 2.3million barrels per day.

The country has six (6) exports terminals as shown in Table 1 with their

capacities

EXPORT TERMINALS CAPACITY

BRASS (AGIP) 3,558,000 BARRELS

FORCADOS (SHELL) 6,000,000 BARRELS

ESCRAVOS (CHEVRON) 3,600,000 BARRELS

BONNY INSHORE (SHELL) 4,794,000 BARRELS

BONNY OFFSHORE (SHELL) 2,729,000 BARRELS

QUA IBOE (MOBIL) 3,500,000 BARRELS

NOTE: 1BBL = 159Litres

1BBL = 0.1364256 tons

1BBL = 42 US gallons

1BBL = 0.158M2

In spite of the 80% revenue accruing from the oil industry since discovery of

oil in Nigeria in 1956, the country has suffered problems arising from

petroleum industry activities, these activities are sources of pollution and they

include upstream and downstream such as drilling and development activities,

production and terminal operations. These activities have caused several oil

spill incidents in Nigeria which has high risk of adverse effect to the

environment.

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To reduce the rate of oil spill incidence in Nigeria, a number of Federal and

State Agencies have been assigned to deal with the problems of oil spill. They

include DPR, NOSDRA, State Ministries of Environment and the National

Maritime Authority.

OIL SPILL

An oil spill is the release of a liquid hydrocarbon into the environment as

a result of human activities. Oil spill is not limited to the release of crude oil but

also refined petroleum products (such as gasoline, fuel or diesel etc), oily

refuse or mixed oil in waste. This discharge of crude into the environment

occurs during inland and offshore prospecting, production, movement and the

transportation of the crude oil or refined petroleum products.

CRUDE OIL COMPOSITION.

The table below shows the composition of crude oil,

PRODUCTS CARBON NUMBER

BOILING POINT

(0C)

EXAMPLES

Methane 1 -160 Methane

Petroleum Ether 4-6 20-60 Pentane

Light Naphtha 6-10 60-100 Cyclohexane,Cycloheptane

Petroleum(gasoline) 3-8 40-205 BTEX

Paraffin (kerosene) 10-14 165-200 Polycyclic Hydrocarbon

Diesel 15-20 175-365 Polycyclic Hydrocarbon

Fuel oil 20+ 350+ Polycyclic Hydrocarbon

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CAUSES OF OIL SPILLAGE

1). CORROSION-: This could be as a result of aging of the pipeline which

have been in use for decades without replacement which may end up been

ruptured. It is as a result of the reaction of the metal (Iron; FE) used in making

the pipe and the moisture (H20) in the presence of oxygen (02).

2). EQUIPMENT FAILURE-: This result mainly due to lack of maintenance

and overlook of oil pipeline facilities such as wellheads and valves, flow

stations, flowlines, storage facilities to change their worn out valves or flanges.

3). SABOTAGE-: This is a deliberate or unauthorized tampering of oil facilities

and pipeline by vandals via illegal oil bunkering for selfish interest. Presently

this accounts for majority of spill in Nigeria. There are different ways used by

saboteurs which includes

• By the use of Hacksaw on the facility.

• By the use of drilling machines to make a drill hole to siphon the

products carried within.

• By the process of blasting with the use of explosive.

• By the use of Acidic substances that are capable of rusting metal which

all most all oil facilities are made of. Any type of this acids is used by

saboteurs by pouring it on the surface, allow for some times (days,

weeks or months) depending on the reactive strength and type of metal

in contact with it.

4). HUMAN/OPERATIONAL ERROR-: i.e. improper discarding of oily waste or

overflow of oil from barges colliding and boosting due to worn out of the

barges, and ineffective complete of maintenance during operations.

CATEGORIES OF SPILL

Oil spill are categorized in three Tiers which is summarized in Table3

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CATEGORY LAND (BBLS)

INLAND (BBLS)

OFFSHORE/COASTAL AREA (BBLS)

MINOR (Tier1) <250 <25 <250

MEDIUM

(Tier2)

250-2500 25-250 250-2500

MAJOR (Tier3) >2500 250-2500 >2500

The Agency coordinates the Tier3 oil Spill response system, as well as

monitors Tier 1 & 2 which are oil spill response system of individual oil

companies and cooperatives (Clean Nigeria Associates) respectively.

Note: MYSTERY SPILL:- Spill of unknown origin generally referred to as

mystery spill could occur within facility operator area.

BEHAVIOUR AND FATE OF SPILLED OIL

When oil is spilled on water, it is exposed to a variety of physical and

chemical processes. Within the first 24 hrs; spreading, evaporation,

dissolution and other processes take place. The behavior and fate of the oil

depends on the Origin/Specific Gravity as well as the environment into which it

is spilled into i.e. water and air temperature, wind, wave condition, but in very

general terms the following will happen within hours.

1 SPREADING: Spilled oil spreads out rapidly across the water surface to

form a thick layer “OIL SLICK”. As the spreading process continues, the

layer becomes thinner and thinner, finally becoming a very thin layer

called a OIL SHEEN which often like a rainbow.

2 EVAPORATION: This is the major process that reduces the quantity of

spilled oil, spreading causes the lighter fractions in the oil to be lost

rapidly leaving back in the water the heavier parts. The amount lost

(evaporated) during a spill depends chiefly on the oil properties, the

temperature, air pressure, wind speed etc.

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3 DISPERSION: i.e. break up of oil by the driving waves into small

droplets that are mixed into the water column. The smaller droplets that

stay in the column are considered dispersed. The amount dispersed

depends on the oil properties (Viscosity and Surface Tension) in

particular.

4 DISSOLUTION: Dissolving of water soluble components of oil into the

water. The most water soluble components of oil are most toxic.

5 EMULSIFICATION: This is the stage where water droplets are mixed

into the oil, forming a water-in-oil emulsion or “mousse”. Formation of

mousse depends on the water condition and the chemical properties of

the oil. The emulsion can be 70-90% water so that the combined

volume of oil and water mixture may be much greater than the volume

of the original spill.

6 SEDIMENTATION: The adhesion of oil to solid particles in the water

column, oil can be absorbed into sediments in the water and this leads

to it settling at the bottom. This is due to change in gravity.

7 PHOTO-OXIDATION: A change in the physical and chemical

composition as a result of sunlight and temperature. The chemical

combination of hydrocarbons with oxygen is known as oxidation. This

process is limited to the surface of the oil. This can result in a thin,

crusty “Skin” on slicks and tar balls.

8 BIO-DEGRADATION: The process whereby microbes that occur

naturally in the environment degrade the oil. It is dependent on the

properties of the water and microbial activity.

NB: The process of spreading, evaporation, dispersion, emulsification and

dissolution are most important during the early stages of the spill whilst

photo-oxidation, sedimentation and biodegradation are most important at

the later stages and they determine the ultimate fate of the oil.

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OIL SPILL IMPACT

The degree and duration of damage from oil spills is a function of

several factors;

I. The type of oil spilled

II. The quantity and duration of the spill

III. Seasonal, Oceanographic and meteorological conditions e.g. in

swamping season or when concentrated for feeding or migration.

IV. Nature of the exposed biota

V. Habitat and Substratum

VI. Geographic location and Topography i.e. slope, steep or plane

VII. Type of spill control used.

HARMFUL EFFECT OF OIL SPILL IN THE ENVIRONMENT

- Land Degradation and Soil fertility loss which reduces land available for

agricultural activities. Thus there is likely to be less food production as

people farm on lower quality land that decrease yields.

- Water pollution from oil spillage kills plants and animals in the estuarine

zone. Oil settles in beaches and kills organism that live there, it also

settles in ocean floor and kill benthic (bottom dwelling) organisms such

as crabs. Oil poisons algae, disrupts major food chains and decreases

the yield of edible crustaceans.

- In birds it causes loss of insulation, impairs their flight thus making the

birds more vulnerable to cold and it also causes mutation.

- In fish, oil endangers fish hatcheries; there is long term sub lethal effect

such as reduced reproduction. When dissolved oil is taken up through

their gills it accumulates in the liver, gall bladder resulting in tainting of

the flesh thereby making the fish unacceptable for consumption.

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- Humans that feed on these affected fishes also become affected also

and people who earn their livelihood from fishing activities lose their

source of income. In fresh water environment spillage contaminates

drinking water. The mangrove was once a source of both fuel and wood

for the indigenous people and a habitat for the area’s biodiversity, but is

now unable to survive the oil toxicity of its habitat.

OIL SPILL MANAGEMENT

The management of oil spill is the responsibility of everybody involved

in the oil business from the oil companies to the government and even the

host communities. The management of oil spill entails the ability to prevent

spills, the ability to combat the spill and the level of preparedness if it occurs.

In order to make oil spill management more effective several laws have been

put in place (both locally and internationally), Agencies and Groups have also

been put in place to help manage oil spills (i.e. Agencies like

NOSDRA,DPR,FMENV,SMENV,NMA, etc and Groups like CAN)

Ø THE CLEAN NIGERIA ASSOCIATE (CNA)

The CAN is a cooperative of eleven oil companies operating in Nigeria,

including NNPC. The purpose of establishment of CAN is to maintain a

capability to combat spill of liquid hydrocarbon or pollution which volume

exceeds the volume that can be combated by individual company. Tier 2 spill

require the CAN assistance. Members of the CAN are Chevron Nigeria Ltd,

Total E & P Nigeria ltd, Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, Shell Pet. Dev. Co

of Nigeria Ltd, Nigerian Agip Oil Co Ltd, Pan Ocean Oil Company Nig Ltd,

Agip Energy & Natural Resources (Nig) Ltd, Conoco Energy (Nig) Ltd, Dubril

Oil Co Ltd, Addax Petroleum (Nig) Ltd and Nigerian National Petroleum

Corpration.

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Ø STATE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT (SMENV)

SMENV is expected to protect their state environment and population

against possible damage resulting from industries including oil companies

operations.

Ø DEPARTMENT OF PETROLEUM RESOURCES (DPR)

The DPR is charged with the responsibility of regulating the activities of

the oil and Gas industry operations in Nigeria.

Ø CREATING OF AWARENESS

Awareness creation on the impacts of oil spill is an integral part of

management programme for oil spill along the coastal of Nigeria. This is

being carried out by government at different levels and Agencies such

as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Ø INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION

Tracking down on smugglers has proved difficult. To shore up the fight

against oil smugglers in Nigeria, the US donated three 56 meters (180ft)

refitted World War II era patrol boats to the navy. It helps in

strengthening the country’s preparedness and response capacity in

dealing with the problems of oil spill in the Niger Delta.

PREVENTION AND CONTROL MEASURES IN COMBATING OIL SPILL INCIDENCE

- The use of SCADA System: - This means Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System. It refers to a system that collects data from various sensors at a terminal, plant or in other remote locations- offshore platform and then sends this data to a central computer which then manages and control the data. This SCADA system gathers information, such as where a spillage/leak on a pipeline has occurred, transfer the information back to a central site, alerting the home station that the spillage or leak has occurred, carrying out necessary analysis and control, such as determining if the leak is critical, and display s the information in a logical and organized fashion.

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- Installation of shutdown valves to allow early shutdown or isolation in the event of a spill and developing automatic shutdown system for significant spill scenarios so that the facility may be rapidly brought into a safe condition.

- Use of a catch basin around the fill pipe to collect spill

- Conducting periodic (e.g. weekly) reconciliation of tank contents and inspection of visible portions of tanks and piping for leaks.

- Use of double walled, composite or specially coated storage and piping system particularly in the use of underground storage tanks (UST) and underground piping.

- Use of primary and secondary containment devices such as booms, skimmers, barges to recover spilled oil and then transported to the nearest flow station for recycling into the system.

- Putting an end to Oil Bunkering which is one of the causes of oil spills, by

punishing those caught in the act.

LEGISLATIONS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF OIL SPILL

Several legislations have being put in place to reduce oil spill and

ensure the readiness to combat and clean up when it eventually occurs, below

are some of the relevant laws that are in effect now;

Ø OIL POLLUTION ACT (OPA) of 1990 - This is responsible for many of

the nations improvement in oil spill prevention, mitigation, cleanup and

liability. The majority of the provisions were targeted at reducing the

number of oil spills followed by reducing the quantity of oil spilled. OPA

1990 also create a comprehensive scheme to ensure that sufficient

financial resources are available to clean-up a spill and to compensate

person damaged by a spill. It also ensure that the federal response

system is adequately prepared to manage the impacts of oil spills that

do occur; and mandates that industry implement preventive and

preparedness measures. The OPA also mandates thatb tankers and

inland oil facilities develop individual response plan.

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Ø MINERAL OIL(SAFETY) REGULATIONS, 1997 - This deals with safe

discharge of noxious or inflammable gases and provides penalties for

contravention and non compliance

Ø PETROLEUM REGULATIONS 1967 - This prohibits the discharge or

escape of petroleum into waters within harbor areas and makes

precautions for the conveyance of petroleum and rules of safe

operations of pipelines.

Ø PETROLEUM DRILLING AND PRODUCTION REGULATION 1969 -

This requires license holders to take all practical precautions including

the provision of up-to-date equipment approved by the appropriate

authority to prevent the pollution of inland waters, river water courses,

territorial waters of Nigeria or the high seas by oil , other fluids or

substances.

Ø OIL IN NAVIGABLE WATER ACT 1968 – which prohibits discharge of

oil or any mixture containing oil into the territorial or navigable inland

waters.

Ø PETROLEUM REFINING REGULATIONS 1974 – which deals among

other things with construction requirements for storage tanks to

minimize damage from leakages.

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS)

This is used in order to reduce the response time and qualify the

decision-making process, it also provides Information on the exact position

and size of the oil spill can be plotted on maps in GIS and the decisions on the

priority of the combat efforts and means taken according to the identified

coastal sensitive areas. The GIS offers opportunities for the integration of oil

drift forecast models (prediction of wind and current influence on the oil spill)

in the computer framework.

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CONTIGENCY PLAN

It is very difficult to generalize on oil spills. Each spill has its own set of

characteristics; Location, distance from shore, degree of environmental

sensitivity, shallow or deep water, waves current, wind speed and direction,

temperature, size of spill, type of oil, time after spill, debris, soil permeability,

soil aggregate size, color nutrient, etc. There are several factors which

determine how effectively an oil spill can be managed and since no one knows

when an oil spill will occur or the quantity that will be spilled, it is better to be

prepared always, that is why a Contingency plan is needed in every petroleum

company. A Contingency plan is that plan for what to do when particular

event(Oil Spill) happens. Below are some of the factors that are incorporated

in an appropriate contingency plan;

ü Availability of properly maintained equipments and products (ships,

skimmers systems, booms, pumps, storage tanks, dispersants,

sorbents, etc.)

ü Availability of manpower

ü Environmental sensitivity index (what to protect first)

ü Communication

ü Information

ü Surveillance

ü Command

ü Strategy/planning

ü Health and safety

ü Maintenance and training

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ENVIRONMENTAL SENSITIVITY INDEX (ESI)

Nigerian regulatory requirements specify ESI mapping as part of the

contingency planning for oil exploration and production activities to better

protect the deltas natural resources. Below are the basic contents/scope:

F Soil and Sediment Attributes: Permeability, Aggregate size, colour,

Nutrient etc.

F Ecology: Biodiversity, Toxicological back of marine mammals/fish, floral

& fauna.

F Land Use: Human activities/Settlements, Present & Future

development, population structure/density, Adjoining uses and socio-

economic activities

F Microbiology: Emphasis on regeneration ability and bacterial condition

that aid natural attenuation

F Cinematic and Weather conditions: Wind Direction, Speed, Pressure,

Temperature, Precipitation, Humidity, And Air Quality Index etc.

WORK DONE/JOBS ENGAGED DURING SIWES

In the event of any oil spill to the environment, the agency in agreement

with all the stakeholders involved i.e. the oil companies, the SMENV, and the

DPR have drafted several field investigation techniques from the period the

spill occurred through the clean-up then to the remediation of the impacted

site. With special regard to oil spill on land because that was with I was

involved in during the period of my stay, the order of event and actions is

further explained below;

OIL SPILL JIV (joint investigation visit)

CLEAN UP PCI (post clean up inspection)

REMEDIATION REMEDIATION INSPECTION

MONITORING/CERTIFICATION

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JOINT INVESTIGATION VISIT (JIV)

This is the first field investigation carried out within 48 hours after the

spill has occurred. The JIV team comprises of NOSDRA who plays a lead

role, DPR, State Ministry of Environment, Facility operator (Oil company) and

the community representative, this is done to ensure transparency. The JIV is

conducted to ascertain the cause of the spill (SAB, EQF, YTD, COR, OPF

etc), the volume spilled, the impacted area, the position of the source (12, 1,

2, 3, or 6 O’clock), the type of pollutant (crude, condensate, chemicals, refined

petroleum products, gas etc), type of facility (well head, pipeline, flowline, flow

station, manifold, storage tank etc), the type of containment in place and the

properties at risk and effecting immediate repairs on the affected facility. After

the visit a report is drafted which will feature mostly the observations on the

site and the recommendations made.

CLEAN UP AND POST CLEAN UP INSPECTION

Clean up of oil spills is the process of removing or recovering the spilled

oil from the environment. If an oil spill occurs the attempt to clean it starts

immediately after the JIV has been conducted. Various clean up techniques

are employed depending on the area of impact (land, swamp or water), The

quantity of oil spilled, If the oil can be recovered or not. The first action taken

when an oil spill occurs is to contain the spilled oil making use of booms on

water or containment pit on land. Below are some of the clean up methods;

ON LAND AREAS: - When oil is spilt on land surface, the following methods

are applied;

I. NATURAL ATTENUATION (BIODEGRADATION): This is a process

whereby the contaminated soil is allowed for a period for time for natural

degradation by hydrocarbon degrading micro-organisms in the site. It is

the process of allowing nature to take care of itself. This method is

mostly used when the quantity of oil spilled is minute and on land.

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II. IN-SITU AND EX-SITU BURNING : This method especially the In- Situ

burning can be used both on land and water surface. In-situ burning

refers to when the spilled oil on the surface is subjected to incineration

on the site on the site of spill while ex-situ refers to when the

contaminant or the contaminated material is taken else where for

burning (incineration). In-situ burning depends on the quantity of oil

spilled and takes place when the spill is still fresh, this method is highly

discouraged since burning will affect the surrounding environment i.e.

the air, adjoining vegetation and soil fertility may be affected on land.

III. USE OF SORBENTS : They are materials that recovers oil through

either Absorption in which the oil penetrates into the pores of the

sorbent materials or Adsorption In which the oil is attracted to the

sorbent surface and adheres to it . in general sorbents are big sponges

used to absorb oil. Sorbents are generally marketed as Sheets, Rolls,

Pillows and Pads. It can also consist of natural products such as peat or

straw, mineral compounds such as ash, vermiculite, or perlite and most

commonly synthetic products such as polyethylene, polypropylene or

polyurethane foam. Sorbents are not used as the primary method of

clean up in a large spill, rather they are usually used in the final stages

to remove small amounts of remaining oil on the impacted land areas or

especially along the shore lines. Its application can be on land and also

in water.

IV. CONTAINMENT PIT-: This is commonly used for large volume of spills.

A containment pit is being used for containing an oil spill. When a spill

occurs, you first channel the spilled oil from that point of spill, to the dug

pit, so as to contain it for recovery purpose.

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YES

NO

YES YES

NO

CLEAN-UP SATISFACTORY

OIL SPILL

JIV

CLEAN UP

PCI

SOIL SAMPLES TAKEN FOR LABORATORY ANALYSIS

CONTAMITANTS WITHIN

ACCEPTABLE LIMIT

REMEDIATION

CLOSE OUT/CRETIFICATION OF IMPACTED SITE

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V. USE OF FOSTER TANKS/VACUUM TRUCKS-: This method is

commonly used during recovery, for easy transportation of oil. The

recovered oil in the containment pit is sucked out and channeled into

the safely tanks or foster tanks or vacuum trucks with the aid of

pumping machine, and finally transported back to the flow station for

further treatment. The foster tanks are elastic and so can easily contain

large volume of oils.

ON WATER BODIES:- In clean up contaminants on water bodies either

on offshore or on major rivers, ocean tide, beaches, streams or estuaries.

Current, wind condition and oil properties play an important role in deciding

the type and level of response and clean up to be accepted. The following are

used for recovery of oil and cleaning up;

1. USE OF BOOMS :- When oil is spilt on the water surfaces, its removal

or deflection from sensitive areas is often required. Both operations, call

for the use of floating barrier or booms. A containment boom is a

temporary floating barrier used to contain an oil spill. The most

important characteristics of boom is its oil containment or deflection

capability determined by its behavior in relation to water movement.

Booms are used to reduce the possibility of polluting shorelines and

other resource and help make recovery easier. Booms also help to

concentrate oil in thicker surface layers so that skimmers, vacuums, or

other collection methods can be used more effectively. It is the first

containment method to be used and the last equipment to be removed

from the site of an oil spill and they come in many shapes and sizes

with various levels of effectiveness in different types of water conditions.

Some of the Booming tactics involved are;

v CONTAINMENT BOOMING-: placing a boom in a body of

contaminated water for the purpose of holding or slowing the

movement of contamination.

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v DIVERSION BOOMING-: Placing a boom in a body of contaminated

water for the purpose of diverting the contamination to a collection

point.

v EXCLUSION BOOMING-: Placing a boom in a body of water for the

purpose of blocking off a sensitive area from contamination. This

method is not recommended for fast water operating environments.

2. USE OF SKIMMERS-: An oil skimmer is a machine that separates a

liquid from another liquid. Skimmer can be classified into the following 4

groups on the basis of the operating principle;

v WEIR SKIMMERS-: This function when the force of gravity causes

oil floating on the water to flow over a weir positioned as precisely as

possible at the oil/water interface to minimize the flow of water along

with the oil. A refinement of the simple weir the addition of rotating

blades under the water to induce the flow thus encouraging the oil to

the weir edge.

v OLEOPHILIC SKIMMERS-: These include ropes, disks, and belt

skimmers. The oleophilic surface moves through a slick and the

retained oil is subsequently scoped or squeezed from the surface

into a collection area.

v VACUUM SKIMMERS-: This functions either by the use of vacuum

pumps, or an air venturii system to suck oil from the water surface

directly into a containment vessel. Specially designed skimming

heads may be fitted to the ends of the suction hoses to increase

efficiency. The pumping of viscous material is possible by allowing

the induction of water to act as a fluid medium.

v MECHANICAL SKIMMERS-: These include belts with vanes on,

metal tooth discs, grab buckets and drum separators. They all rely

on a physical action to draw the oil in. by matching them with a

suitable pump; they should be capable of accepting and transporting

viscous oil, stable water in oil emulsions and solid debris.

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3. IN-SITU BURNING-: This method involves burning of freshly spilled oil

on water after it has been contained by the use of barriers or booms, or

while it is still floating on water. The use of this method depends on the

quantity of oil spilled i.e. the quantity must be small. Although, this

method is no longer recommended any longer due to the adverse effect

it has on the water bodies and the surrounding environment.

4. USE OF CHEMICAL DISPERSANT-: A dispersant or a dispersing agent

is either a non-surface active polymer or a surface active substance

added to a suspension, usually a colloid, to improve the separation of

particles and to prevent settling or clumping. Therefore, a chemical

dispersants can be used to dissipate oil slicks. They may rapidly

disperse large amount of certain oil types from the sea surface by

transporting it into the water column. They will cause the oil slick to

break up and form water soluble micelles that are rapidly diluted. The oil

is then effectively spread throughout a larger volume of water than the

formation of persistent oil-in-water emulsions. However, laboratory

experiments showed that dispersants increase toxic hydrocarbon levels

in fish by a factor of up to 100 and may kill fish eggs.

NOTE: The decision whether to or not to use dispersants must be taken by

the HSE manager with the approval of DPR and NOSDRA depending on

the type of chemical dispersant and its characteristics. For coastal and

inland waters, the use of chemical dispersants is highly prohibited as it can

affect the water body.

POST CLEAN UP INSPECTION (PCI)

The PCI is conducted after the cleanup operation has being completed, the

cleanup of oil impacted site is not deemed complete until DPR, NOSDRA and

state ministry of Environment officer says he is satisfied. The PCI is conducted

to ascertain if the cleanup is satisfactory or not and also to help determine if

the contaminated site needs remediation or if it is fit for closeout. Incident can

only be closed when the following conditions have been satisfied.

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WATER: There shall be no visible oil sheen after the 1st 30days of occurrence

of the spill.

SWAMP AREA: No trace of oil in sediments after the 1st 60days of

occurrence of the spill.

LAND: The oil content of the soil shall not be more than 30ppm by the end of

the 1st 6months of occurrence of the spill incidence.

After the visit a report is drafted which will feature mostly the observations on

the site and the recommendations made. A prototype of NOSDRA form C

(PCI & Remediation form) is attached as appendix 2.

REMEDIATION

Remediation is a process whether artificially or naturally of reclaiming or

restoring a petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated site or environment to its

original capacity to support life before pollution. Remediation of a

contaminated site is dependent on the quantity of oil spilled, nature of

contaminant, where the oil was spilled and how satisfactorily the clean up is

i.e. the PCI determines if there will be any remediation. This is usually carried

out on land.

TYPES OF REMEDIATION

Below are some of the methods of remediating impacted sites;

1. Land Farming

2. Bioventing

3. Phytoremediation

4. Bioremediation

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BIOREMEDIATION

It is important to define bioremediation within the context of biodegradation, a

naturally occurring process. Biodegradation is a large component of oil

weathering and is a natural process whereby bacteria or other microorganism

alter and break down organic molecules into other substances eventually

producing fatty acids and carbon dioxide. Bioremediation is the acceleration of

this biodegradation process through the addition of exogenous microbial

populations, through the stimulation of indigenous populations or through

manipulation of the contaminated media using techniques such as aeration,

temperature control etc.

Therefore, bioremediation is any process that uses microorganism, fungi,

green plants or their enzymes to return the natural environment altered by

contaminants back to its original state/condition. It accounts for 5-10% of all

pollution treatment. Bioremediation works best on natural carbon-containing

substances called hydrocarbons or on chemicals resembling natural

substances, such as certain petroleum products are wide spread in the

environment. Microorganism whose perform the function of bioremediation is

known as Bioremediators, some of the bacteria employed in bioremediation

include members of the genera Pseudomonas, Flaro bacterium, Arthrobacter,

and Azotobacter. An example of a more general approach is the addition of

nitrate and/or sulfate fertilizers to facilitate the decomposition of crude oil by

indigenous or exogenous bacteria.

PHYTOREMEDIATION:

Phytoremediation combines the greek word "phyto" (plant), with the latin word

"remedium" (restoring balance or remediation) to describe the treatment

whereby certain plants, working together with soil organisms can transform

contaminants into harmless and often valuable forms. It refers to the natural

ability of certain plants called hyperaccumulators to bioaccumulate, degrade,

or render harmless contaminants in soils, water, or air. Contaminants such as

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metals, pesticides, solvents, explosives, and crude oil and its derivatives, have

been mitigated in phytoremediation projects worldwide.

Phytoremediation is considered a clean, cost-effective and non-

environmentally disruptive technology as opposed to mechanical methods

such as soil excavation etc. over the years, this technology has become

increasingly popular however one major disadvantage of phytoremediation is

that it requires a long term commitment, as the process is dependent on

plants growth, tolerance to toxicity and bioaccumulation capacity. Some of the

plants used for phyto Remediation are:

- Alfalfa (symbiotic with hydrocarbon degrading bacteria)

- Arabidopsis (carries a bacterial gene that transforms mercury into

gaseous state)

- Bamboo family (accumulates silica in its stalks and nitrogen as crude

protein in its leaves).

- Bladder Campion (accumulates zinc & copper).

- Ordinary tomato and alpine pennycress (accumulates lead, zinc and

cadmium)

- Popla (used in absorption of the pesticide, altrazine)

LAND-FARMING/ REMEDIATION BY ENHANCED NATIONAL ATTENUATION (RENA)

Also known as "Remediation by Enhanced National Attenuation" or "Land

application", is an above ground insitu remediation technology for soil that

reduces concentration of petroleum constituents through biodegradation. This

technology involves spreading excavated contaminated soils in a thin layer on

the ground surface and stimulating aerobic microbial activity within the soils

through aeration and in addition of minerals, nutrients, and moisture. The

equipment employed in RENA is typical of that used in agricultural operations.

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These RENA activities cultivate and enhance microbial degradation of

hazardous compounds. As a rule of thumb, the higher the molecular weight

(i.e. the more ring within a polyclclic aromatic hydrocarbon), the slower the

degradation rate. Also, the more chlorinated or nitrated the compound, the

more difficult it is to degrade.

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CHAPTER THREE

THE PROBLEMS AND BENEFITS OF MY TRAINING

THE PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED DURING THE TRAINING

1. Difficulty of securing a place of training was the first challenge faced.

2. Accommodation Problems after securing a place.

3. Financial Constraints i.e. no allowance was paid by the firm

4. Lack of trust by the firm for the first 3 months

5. Transportation

THE BENEFITS OF THE TRAINING TO MY FIELD OF STUDY

1. It increased my knowledge about oil spills, its causes, clean up and the

remediation of impacted sites.

2. The various contingency plans of oil companies operating in the Niger

Delta region of Nigeria

3. My frequent visits to site showed the devastating effect of oil spills on

land.

4. The various causes of oil spill and how the compensations are paid

5. The different methods of remediating impacted soil was learnt

6. The control measures taken to prevent the occurrence of oil spills.

7. The method of surveillance used by the oil firms in that region

8. Some of the methods of repairing the source of the spill i.e. the pipeline

9. The various clean up method and the way the waste is disposed of.

10. The harmful effects of oil spills on land and water

11. HSE seminar was organized for the SIWES personnels.

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CHAPTER FOUR

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

CONCLUSION

The SIWES programme is of great importance to the student. In the course of

my training I was put through a lot of experiences and training, I was involved

in the Oil Spill Detection and Response (OSDR) department where everything

about oil spills in Nigeria was taught to me in the course of my training. The

programme gave me an opportunity to learn how to effectively relate with

people and to face some challenges that were tough. It gave me a reason to

appreciate my course of study and to become a better engineer with a vision

of making life saving inventions and innovations. It showed me what oil spill in

Nigeria was, the main cause of this spill which happen to be bunkering

(sabotage), the way they are being cleaned up and some of the steps taken

by the Government and Oil Firms and how they have affected the spill

occurrence.

RECOMMENDATION

1. The Government and the universities should sensitize the Firms and

Agencies operating in the country about the SIWES programe.

2. Placement should be given on the basis of merit rather than friendship.

3. Financial support by the firms for the trainees

4. The University should help students secure placement.

5. The Firms should be encouraged to take trainees to the field for better

experiences and knowledge.

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REFRENCES

1st Responders course on Oil spill

Addax Contingency Plan 2010

Agip Contingency plan 2010

John Gibson .H., Bioremediation of marine oil spills

www.nosdra.org

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PICTURES

SPDC- RUMUEKPE OIL SPILL SITE COMPLETE RUPTURE

B-DERE OIL SPILL SITE 6” CLOUGH CREEK-TEBIDABA PL @ AZUZUAMA

KALOTORU SPILL SITE (Bayelsa) LAGOSGENE SPILL SITE (Bayelsa)

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MANSONKIRI (Bayelsa) 4” ADIBADA F/L, FIRE INCIDENT

SPDC 4” AGBADA W38 F/L @ AGBADA SPDC IMORIV W57 F/L (vandalized P/L)

10” EKULAMA- SANBARTH DL @ LUCKY LAND 24” OGBOINBIRI-OGODA PL OILSPILL & FIRE @ UMBUGENE

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6” EBEGORO 12S F/L @ LOCATION AREA(HACKSAW CUT) SPDC 4” ADIBAWA WELL8 F/L (CLAMPED)

JIV VISIT TO ADAMAKIRI T/L (sabotage)

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CONTAINMENT BOOM

FOSTER TANK USED @ IKARAMA SPILL SITE CONTAINMENT PITS

PUMP USED TO SUCK THE OIL FROM THE CONTAINMENT PIT TO THE RECOVERY TANK

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BLASTED SECTION OF 14” PIPE AT THE AZUZUAMA MANIFOLD ON FIRE (PUT OFF BEFORE JIV.)

OSIAMA 1 L/S WELL HEAD AT OSIAMA FIELD (2)

DAMAGED RISER AT OLUGBOBORO SLACKING OF STUD BOLTS OF THE BLIND FLANGE