A Tier 2 Oil Spill Response exercise was jointly organized by MOIG, MARETAP, ETAP, ECUMED, OMMP, ONPC, PA RESOURCES and SSCT; on the 27th May 2015; in Zarzis Terminal in conjunction with the MOIG Regional Oil Spill Conference; held City on 26th May 2015; at the Eden Star Hotel in Zarzis in Tunisia.
The exercise comprised a management exercise at OMMP Control Room and a full scale oil spill response equipment deployment.
Over 143 personnel from various companies and agencies participated to the Oil Spill Conference and Zarzis Terminal exercise.
The exercise scenario involved a simulated break/rupture in the bulk oil hose during loading/discharging operations in the Zarzis Terminal. The resultant spill (worst case scenario) according to flow rate, hose dimensions, product data and time to shut down was 70 m3 of Crude Oil.
In accordance to MARETAP Oil Spill Response Plan, the initial response was mounted utilizing oil spill response equipment and trained teams that are located at the Zarzis terminal. Additional equipment and personnel was requested and provided from the surrounding companies ECUMED, OMMP, PA RESOURCES, SSTC and the local authorities.
International Marine and Environmental Services–Egypt provided technical assistance on the development and management of the exercise.
A series of visits and conferences calls were made to participants and an exercise steering committee was created to ensure the appointment of the exercise Director, Coordinator, support of participating companies management, adequate exercise scope, realistic and measurable objectives, realistic scenario and evaluation criteria.
The Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC) outlined the Mediterranean project MEDESS-4MS (Mediterranean Decision Support System for Marine Safety). REMPEC provided real-time information about the oil slick positioning and explained the interface with oil spill models which are capable of forecasting the movement of the pollution, thus providing tailored products to oil spill crisis management users.
The spill response teams deployed equipment in two formations according to environmental data (Wind, current, tide, visibility etc.) within the Zarzis Terminal. In addition the Civil Protection Society provided firefighting units, ambulances, support vessels and rapid intervention water craft.
About 78 delegates from Tunisia and the Mediterranean Region observed the action packed oil spill exercise. 65 personnel from various companies operating in Zarzis Terminal and ONPC team took part in this exercise. The event concluded with a lessons learned session on the 28th May 2015 at the Eden Star Hotel in Zarzis City.