Oil Spill Response Systems of South Florida and the Country of Qatar

Abstract

Both South Florida and Qatar have unique needs and requirements for oil spill response, yet both have basic needs for a contingency plan for responding to oil spills. South Florida has a diverse coastal environment that is important not only for its ecosystem but for the revenue it generates from tourism and fishing. Qatar is sitting on the world’s largest natural gas fields and some larger oil fields and is one of the world’s richest countries. The oil spill response system of South Florida differs in operational structure from that of Qatar. South Florida’s response system is a network-based operation controlled by county or city officials, depending on the degree of the spill and availability of resources. Qatar’s system is a central control operation, with primary authority and control of any oil spill response assumed by the Qatar General Petroleum Corporation (QGPC). Local industries are expected to protect their own facilities, but QGPC also responds to those spills that threaten public and government coasts and the Persian Gulf ecosystem. The University of Florida has developed a computerized database for South Florida that enables officials of national, regional, and state response teams to quickly identify and deploy required equipment and personnel for an oil spill and to follow cleanup operations. The specific advantage of the South Florida system over the Qatar system is in the oil spill response information system database, which includes information on oil-sensitive shorelines, response teams, disposal sites, cleanup organizations, and equipment. Furthermore, the typical oil spill cleanup response times for selected contractors indicate the most efficient choice of contractor for possible oil spills at different locations.

Oil Spill Contingency Plans For Malaysia, Florida And Qatar

“…The database is maintained and updated by the SRT, and is also used by different industry and government agencies to update inventory of equipment and oil spill cleanup activities. It includes the following information 4 : ≠ oil-sensitive areas in Florida -areas of sensitive shorelines are identified as reported by the state ( Figure 2); ≠ oil spill response team -lists addresses and phone numbers of oil spill response agencies: RRTs, SRTs, counties and cities; and ≠ Cleanup organizations and equipment: provides information on oil spill response organizations and equipment available in Florida.…”

“…But if required, the corporation will protect their own facilities. But required, the corporation will loan its available equipment along the following parameters of priority 4 : Power station/desolation The umm said complex West bay cornice and amenity facilities in Doha bay…”

“…The corporation has a much defined area of responsibility for any oil pollution originating from its own operating areas and along a specifically designated corridor on Qatar's east coast. Its oil spill combat will concentrate mainly on the dispersing, containment and recovery of sea bone oil in addition to efforts aimed at preventing spilled oil from entering power and desalination plants, industrial complexes, and important amenity beaches along Qatar's east cost 4 .…”

“…Whereas in case of large spills it Page 14.922.13 may require assistance from large Arab state members. In the instance of large spill, the marine superintendent will appoint an Oil Spill Response Committee consisting of 4 : A management representative to determine the policy required and initiate contact with other action groups and relevant government agencies without the country. An advisor on environmental matters An advisor on equipment and its uses.…”

“…For milder conditions and warmer water temperatures, emulsification begins 14 to 16 hours after the spill. So the time lapse between the occurrence of the spill and the start of the cleanup is another factor affecting the success of a cleanup operation 4 .…”