Dispersant Use Guidelines

Dispersant Use Guidelines have been developed to clarify and articulate the ADNOC position on dispersant use. The ADNOC preferred response option for combating oil spilled at sea is mechanical containment and recovery. However, it is recognized that circumstances may not always allow this option to be used or in some cases the spill may be of such a magnitude that mechanical containment and recovery and dispersant operations are being conducted concurrently. These Guidelines provide guidance on which dispersants can be used, where and when. The Guidelines are not intended to be a definitive field guide for the application of dispersants.

ICS system

The idea behind this system is to have an organizational standardization for responding effectively to incidents when multiple organizations are involved. These organizations might be ADNOC group of companies and might be Civil Defense, Oil Field Security, Coast Guard, and others. This system will prevent the confusion that occurs when companies respond differently to incidents. ICS applies to any kind of Emergency; it is Action Oriented and Flexible (it could be for minor as well as major Emergencies). It allows Integration of multiple organizations.

Abu Dhabi Area Contingency Plan

The owner/operator for the spilled oil is responsible to ensure effective and immediate removal of the oil according to the response priorities identified in the plan (safety, stabilization, and environmental impact). The owner/operator will be in charge of the spill clean up until there is a release by the area-on-scene commander (called by the Federal Plan). But the area-on-scene commander, assuming overall control of the spill, does not release the owner/operator from their responsibility of the spill they have caused. If the spill grows bigger, the Area Plan takes over Roles and responsibilities: If a company spills some oil, it should be responsible for cleaning it up. Of course, the Petroleum Port Authority and the Oil Spill Response will assist in anyway they could but it's still the company's oil and it should be responsible for the spill.

Updating of ADESCO agreement

A review was done through year 2002. All ADESCO members were required to send their comments and amendments. The was approved and signed by ADESCO Chairmen and distributed during July 2002. Appreciation to ADMA for the effort they made to get the agreement ready.