Environmental Consequences of Oil Blowout from Subsea Pipeline, A Case Study in the Persian Gulf

Abstract

Abstract-Modeling of oil blowout from the Khark island pipelines in the Persian Gulf has been carried out to evaluate environmental consequences including the oil pollution effects on the coast, seabed and most importantly Khark area aquatic, the prawns. The analyses have been carried out with the SINTEF Oil Spill Contingency and Response (OSCAR) 3-dimensional model system. Results related to scenarios demonstrate that wind is the major agent for advection and spreading of oil in the area. Due to wind conditions in Khark area, the Khark South-East coast has the maximum oil contamination potential. A significant part of the oil will pollute the environment by dispersing in the water column, being deposited on the seabed and hitting the Khark coast. In conclusion, the hypothetical spilled oil extremely threats the Khark area environment and specially the prawns.