Canadian Spill Response Organization

CSRO SERVICES

Counterspil projects – 2009-2010

BC Hydro, Canada
Laboratory and field testing of oil spill sorbents for application to leaking transformers

Canadian regulations in 2009 call for reporting releases of transformer oil with greater than 2 ppm PCB from working equipment. Thousands of transformers, including new and older units, leak oil when pressurized. This program is an interim measure aimed at selecting the most cost-effective sorbent pads, rolls, and pillows for application to electric substations and power-generating stations.

SINTEF, Norway
Mechanical recovery of oil in ice. Ongoing development of stationary and mobile skimming systems that have a broad range of application to oil spills. Joint Industry Program.

Oil industry corporations with interests in Arctic petroleum exploration and production have funded a 3 year study to investigate the mechanical recovery, chemical dispersion, in-situ burning, herding and weathering of oil spills. Counterspil Research Inc. is assisting with the lab and field evaluation of various mechanical skimmers while also participating in other facets of the field programs.

SEIC, Russia
Development of a Response Manual and related training for oil spills. Ecoshelf.

Counterspil is contributing to the development of a comprehensive response manual that addresses oil spills from a variety of courses (tanks, pipelines, vessels, etc,) in rivers and offshore of Sakhalin Island, Russia. Training will be conducted in December 2009 with further exercises planned for 2010. The most recent response technologies have been considered in this document that will form the basis for classroom and field sessions aimed at all levels of management including senior positions.

ESAA, Alberta
Regional cooperative spill planning in Latin America. Wotherspoon Environmental and Polaris Applied Sciences Inc.

Counterspil Research Inc. has participated in workshops and the development of guidelines for contingency planning, in situ burning, risk assessment, shoreline treatment, trajectory modeling, and oil spill response throughout Latin America since 1990. Since 2000, initiatives have focused on regional cooperative planning in both South and Central America. In 2010 this work will continue with the development of a manual that will expedite response planning by participating countries. A workshop will be held in 2010 to review the findings and further define the direction that member countries will take.