Whether a few gallons or several million gallons, oil spills require a collaborative and organized response effort. Oil spill response companies like ACME play a key role in cleaning up the environmental in the event of an oil spill. The general oil spill response steps are:
Surveillance and Tracking
Surveillance and tracking of an oil spill is a critical step during a response. Evaluating the extent of a spill and predicting the future impact of the spill gives oil spill response companies guidance for proper cleanup operations. Additional information that is often times gathered during the initial stage of a spill is determining the source of the spill and determined how to control the source if it has not been controlled. The location, operating environment and size of spill are some of the several factors that affect oil spill cleanup operations.
Containing the spill
Containing the spill is completed as quickly as possible if the site conditions are deemed safe. Containment boom is typically the first mechanical response equipment used to contain an oil spill. Containment booms can be used to contain oil, deflect or corral oil for removal and also to protect sensitive shorelines. Prior to deploying boom, the approximate length of boom required should be estimated. Depending on the site, boom can be deployed from shorelines, docks, vesels, reels, containers and platforms.
Mechanical recovery
Once the spill has been contained, the oil is then mechanically removed. Containment booms typically deflect the oil to collection points for the oil to thicken for efficient recovery operations by skimming devices. Sorbents can be used to help with cleanup operations and washdown pumps can be used to clean contaminated shorelines. Every spill is different and therefore different oil spill response equipment will be required.