Summary of Field Equipment Requirements for Responding to Riverine Oil Spills in Ice

Oil spill response equipment and field experience in northern riverine and ice environments is limited. Successful responses have depended on planning and preparedness for quick deployment of response equipment into inland ice-covered waters in rivers. This paper is a summary of technology and equipment requirements for responding to riverine pipeline oil spills in ice, particularly as it relates to experiences and knowledge gained in responding to oil spills in Western Canada. A major requirement in planning is to survey and identify using recommended criteria, the potential Control Points in waterways to determine suitable places from which to mount and support containment and recovery deployment of equipment for spills. Key factors in responding to a riverine oil spill in ice are: planning, training exercises, flexibility, and specialized response equipment which includes OSCAR Units, jet boats, helicopters, and modified field equipment: skimmers, pumps, ice augers. In ice-covered rivers, control of spilled oil is required using special slot and deflector walls cut by chain saws in the ice. Human fatigue and safety are also critical elements in effective response.