The use of oil spill dispersants is often regulated by national authorities to ensure that products approved for use as dispersants on spilled oil in national waters are of reasonable effectiveness and of low inherent toxicity. KING (Kazakh Institute of Oil & Gas) undertook a study to assess the use of oil spill dispersants on spilled oils in the Kazakhstan sector of the Caspian Sea (KSCS) to support decision-making for such regulations in the RoK (Republic of Kazakhstan). The KSCS has some characteristics that are unlike open ocean conditions in other parts of the world; the salinity is much lower than in the open sea. The shallow waters of the northern Caspian Sea have very low salinity (9 psu (practical salinity units) or less) due to the inflow of freshwater from the River Volga, and are frozen in winter. The deeper water in the southern part of the KSCS has a salinity of up to 14 psu. The effectiveness of oil spill dispersants is known to be affected by water salinity. Different countries around the world have developed different test methods to assess dispersant effectiveness. The project examined the options and decided to modify the WSL (Warren Spring Laboratory) LR 448 dispersant effectiveness test method, as used in the UK. The method was adapted by KING and testing was conducted by Karaganda State University (KSU) to test a variety of dispersants under Caspian Sea conditions. Dispersant effectiveness testing should be conducted with a test oil that is representative of oils that might be spilled in the area being considered. Kashagan crude oil was distilled to 200°C to simulate the evaporative loss that would occur shortly after the oil was spilled at sea and the residue used as the test oil in the dispersant effectiveness testing. Several commercially-available dispersants were tested using the modified LR 448 method with the 200°C+ Kashagan test oil under a variety of conditions with salinities ranging from 0 psu to 35 psu and at temperatures of 5°C and 25°C. The results indicate that some internationally recognized dispersants could be suitable for use in the KSCS.

The Republic of Kazakhstan has an oil production and transport industry of growing global importance; in 2015 crude oil production averaged 1.67 million bbl/day (74 million m3/year). The growth of the oil industry and a changing risk profile has led to an evolution of oil spill preparedness. The national framework has been amended several times due to legislative and administrative changes. The latest National Oil Spill Contingency Plan was approved in 2012, providing impetus for further development through its implementation. This Plan’s policy embraces risk-based preparedness utilizing the full response toolkit. In terms of realizing national policy, important amendments to the Environmental Code in 2016 addressed the following:– Exemption from emission control regulation; legitimate consequences of the response toolkit (such as adding dispersant and a smoke plume resulting from controlled burning) will not be considered as emissions.– Requirement for specific regulation of oil spill methods i.e. dispersant product approval and use authorization and in-situ burning procedures. Industry worked with the authorities to address and develop effective regulation based on international good practices as promoted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and international oil industry associations. The national association Kazenergy provided a vehicle for aligned support across the local industry. Kazakhstan is a member of the regional agreement to protect the Caspian marine environment. Cooperation in case of major oil pollution is being developed, through the implementation of the Aktau Protocol, which entered into force in July 2016. Kazakhstan is also in the process of ratifying the IMO Conventions relating to oil spill preparedness and response. This paper describes the challenging journey to develop an effective response framework, highlighting that the process:– requires champions within authorities to promote legislative amendments;– benefits from alignment of industry through associations as an efficient means to provide support;– is inevitably slowed by governmental re-organization and it is challenging to achieve consensus across different Ministries and departments;– is enhanced where targeted local oil spill research provides credibility and validation of international inputs. Significant commitment is needed to achieve legislative change but the prize it worth it. The result is a robust framework that mandates effective response using the best options to minimize environmental impacts and promote recovery in case of potential oil pollution.

Recent years have seen renewed interest in the viability of using herding chemicals in conjunction with in-situ burning. NCOC, an operator in the shallow north Caspian Sea, undertook herder research as an extension to studies performed under the Arctic Response Technology Joint Industry Programme (JIP). The purpose was to investigate the feasibility of using herders as part of their response toolkit. Laboratory tests were performed in Kazakhstan on weathered Kashagan export crude oil, using two herders listed on the US NCP Product Schedule. Results were positive and it was considered that a reasonable size test spill under realistic conditions was required to verify laboratory work. In November 2018 a field trial was undertaken in the boat basin at Damba in western Kazakhstan. A volume of 400 litres of artificially weathered Kashagan crude was pumped onto the water surface and allowed to spread. Air and water temperatures were just above freezing and a small amount of ice was present due to overnight low temperatures. The test was recorded by an unmanned aerial vehicle, using thermal IR and 4K video. After the oil had been allowed to spread out to be <1 mm, i.e. too thin to sustain combustion, a small boat was used to spray Siltech OP-40 herder around the periphery of the oil. After less than five minutes the effect of the herder became apparent. The oiled area was observed to begin contracting. A member of the boat crew successfully placed an igniter into the thick oil. A plume of black smoke was produced and the oil burned vigorously with flames of 2 to 3 metres high for approximately 8 minutes. After the burning had finished a visual inspection showed a relatively small quantity of oil residue. Pre- and post-environmental monitoring of the test site was undertaken. Based on the success of the test, the next steps are to develop a formal methodology for the inclusion of herders in the list of approved oil spill treatment products. It will then be possible to incorporate the technique into contingency plans using NEBA/SIMA justification. This will have the potential to improve the response options and speed of response to incidents in broken ice or open waters.