API TR 1143-2013 pdf free download

API TR 1143-2013 pdf free download.Deepwater Horizon Mechanical Recovery System Evaluation.
Another responder indicated: • “Big Gulp barges were best utilized to capture debris released by skimming vessels.” The most useful feedback obtained involved training and alignment with aerial surveillance and offloading capabilities including: • Training- Vessels of opportunity used for mechanical recovery needed to be configured properly and members needed advanced training on operation, recovery, maintenance and evaluation of their skimming systems in order to maximize effectiveness prior to being put in theater. • Alignment- Offshore recovery systems need to align with fixed-wing aerial surveillance support capable of direct communication with boat captains to maximize recovery and good offshore support platforms are needed for efficient offloading of filled bladders/tanks. One survey participant who was involved in other operations had also observed numerous mechanical recovery operations and provided valuable feedback. The individual identified the need for a solid communications plan between aerial surveillance platforms and mechanical recovery vessels to ensure the aircraft can effectively direct the vessels to the heavier oil. He indicated there were instances where there was limited direct communications between the persons on the boat and the observer in the aircraft. Additionally, helicopters were periodically used, perhaps out of necessity, for offshore aerial surveillance and direction of mechanical recovery vessels but could not remain on station for more than 30-45 minutes, due to the lack of an offshore fueling station. This was not enough time to set up and implement an effective mechanical recovery activity. It should be a priority to use fixed wing aircraft to guide or direct mechanical recovery operations located more than 40 miles offshore. Follow-Up Interview Requests A sub-set of 10 individuals with key roles in the DWH mechanical recovery operations, but not necessarily respondents to the electronic survey,
Summary and Conclusions The limited participation (25 respondents) in the electronic and verbal surveys as well as the general lack of mechanical recovery information in the responses received has limited the ability of the project team to conduct a meaningful evaluation of the DWH mechanical recovery operations. Given these limitations, the project team is not able to offer a definitive assessment of which tools performed best under which conditions or suggest a roadmap for future R&D at this point. However, the project team offers the following DWH-specific observations from the survey and ISPR which may be relevant to ongoing discussions regarding mechanical recovery equipment effectiveness including: • The efficiency of offshore skimmers is difficult to measure under actual conditions/events. • Weir skimmers were effective provided wave chop was less than 3 ft and vegetative debris was not present. • Recovery was negatively impacted by wave heights greater than 3 ft, poor encounter rates/inability to stay in thicker oil and oil compositions that were incompatible with certain skimming systems. • Oleophillic skimmers provided more flexibility than other skimmers in different operating conditions. • Ocean Buster skimming systems worked well and recovered higher percentages of oil and operated in rougher conditions than other systems. • Super HOSS ocean going skimming systems performed well. • Manual recovery methods such as nets and sorbents were more effective than skimmers in nearshore/inshore areas due to the tar-like consistency of, and large amounts of debris mixed into, the oil. • Floating docks or a suitable platform close to the water surface facilitated safe and efficient recovered oil offloading of floating bladder tanks and skimmer or small vessel storage tanks.
• Direct communication between surveillance aircraft and mechanical recovery vessels must be provided to effectively direct the vessels to the heavier oil concentrations. • Robust training of vessel of opportunity and recovered oil offloading crews is necessary to maximize effectiveness of those operations. In conclusion, mechanical recovery system effectiveness could not be adequately evaluated in this effort primarily due to ongoing litigation associated with the DWH incident and response operations. Consequently, a determination of what systems, devices or technologies were most effective could not be made and, as such, opportunities for additional research and development could not be identified at this time.