MOIG performed a Regional Workshop Conference on OPRC 90; on 25th May 2016; at Bizerta Resort Hotel in Bizerte-Tunisia.
This event was held under the high patronage of the Minister of Energy and Mines.
Following this workshop, a Tier 2 Oil Spill Response exercise and Emergency Evacuation Drills were jointly organized; on 26th May 2016; by the Mediterranean Oil Industry Group (MOIG), the Tunisian Refining Industries Company (STIR), the Merchant Marine and Port Office (OMMP), the National Office of Civil Protection (ONPC).
The event technical partners were the Oil Spill Response Alliance International (OSRA Int.) and DESMI Ro-Clean.
To oversee the management of the exercise an Exercise Steering Committee “ESC” was formed composed of representatives from STIR, OMMP, ONPC, OSRA Int. and MOIG.
The ESC held a series of meetings alternating between STIR and OMMP facilities. The main objectives of these meetings were:
- To define the exercise scale, designation of the exercise management
- To track the development process of the exercise to ensure appropriate and managed integration between participants.
During the first workshop session, the event participants gave a brief introduction on their company background and activities. Each participant illustrated their individual Tier 1 capabilities and strategies for combating the oil spill and evacuations of injured and drowned persons during the exercise.
MOIG delivered a presentation on the organizations framework and methodology developed by the ESC for evaluation of exercise Bizerte.
During afternoon session, participants were afforded the opportunity to attend seminars on awareness on Oil Spill Preparedness and Response and Modern combating technology animated by OSRA International and DESMI Ro-Clean.
The event gathered National and International attention with over 200 personnel from various Ministries, Agencies, Oil, Gas and Shipping companies, responders, experts and associations from the civil society.
The second day was dedicated to a deployment exercise (live event). The exercise scenario was selected from OMMP-STIR Oil Spill Contingency Plan and consisted on a failure between the loading arm and the manifold during the discharging operation of one oil tanker alongside STIR Jetty.
The exercise comprised a full scale oil spill response equipment deployment of STIR and OMMP such as: Fence and inflatable booms, skimmers, fastanks etc…from three different locations: STIR jetty, servitude quay and Rafraf tug. At the same time, three emergency evacuation drills of injured and drowned persons were performed by ONPC and STIR from the Rafraf tug, the Channel and the jetty. The exercise management was performed at the OMMP Harbor Muster Control Room.
About 50 delegates from Tunisia and the Mediterranean Region observed the first hands and action-packed Oil Spill Exercise and Emergency Evacuation drills. The general feedback was highly positive and the participants are to be congratulated for their effort and professionalism.
The overall average score was 6.5. According to the methodology and scoring principals. This score indicates that in general most objectives were achieved however there is room for improvements.
The MOIG Management Committee Members would like to thank :
- STIR for its warm welcome and kind hospitality,
- OMMP and ONPC for mobilizing their resources and assist STIR during the exercise
- OSRA International and DESMI Ro-Clean for providing Technical Support to STIR through the MOIG.