The OSSA II Pipeline Oil Spill: The Distribution of Oil, Cleanup Criteria, and Cleanup Operations

Abstract

An estimated 29,000 bbl of mixed crude oil and condensate were spilled on 30 January 2000 from the OSSA II pipeline, which was damaged during summer flood conditions, at the Rı́o Desaguadero river crossing on the Bolivian Altiplano. The oil was deposited as far as 370 km downstream along a total of approximately 400 km of river channel banks, meander flood plains, and irrigation ditches, as well as on several hundred hectares of low-lying flood plain wetlands. The oil was transported over a large geographic area but was cleaned up successfully and rapidly, in three months, by a large response operation that involved more than 3600 people, including 3200 local laborers at the peak period, using manual cleanup methods. Second phase cleanup activities after April 2000 focused on oiled vegetation and on man-made canals, ditches and livestock watering holes. Four sets of cleanup end points were used during this response to address specific environmental conditions: the reopening of the Desaguadero river for normal use; the removal of the oil residues; oiled vegetation used as forage; and man-made canals, ditches and watering holes. An inspection and documentation procedure was developed based on systematic aerial videotape surveys to assist operations with the removal of the oil residues and to ensure that cleanup standards were met.