In Situ Burning Mark Gregory – USCG Eleventh District Response Advisory Team Response Advisory Team

IN-SITU BURNING Removal of oil from the environment by burning it in-place. Advantages over other response methods: -Quickly removes large quantities of spilled oil -Only small amounts of residue are left to clean up -Volatile organics are destroyed -Combustion products readily dispersed within 500 meters of burn (for burns over water) –The amount of oil being released may be too large for skimmers and dispersants alone.

In-Situ Burning, continued A major health concern of burning is the particulate matter concentration in soot plume. -Can cause significant health risk if inhaled -PM10 (particulate matter of 10 micrometer diameter) levels may exceed standards in soot plume for several miles beyond the burn site on land. If oil is not burned, it still presents a health risk from volatile light-ends and known carcinogens & teratogens.

In-Situ Burning, continued In-situ burning is limited by: -oil thickness -weathering of oil -emulsion formation - oceanographic conditions - availability of specialized fire-retardant containment boom (1000ft currently available in California)

Land vs. On-Water Burn

IN-SITU BURNING Burnable slick is concentrated in fire boom 2 to 5mm or greater (thickness necessary for vaporization to sustain burn) Remaining residue (about 10% by volume) is collected manually Water Oil Ignition is accomplished by helitorch or hand-held igniters Smoke plume is monitored visually and using portable real-time particulate monitors

Mechanics of In-Situ Burning Need to first boom the oil to maintain a minimum burn thickness

Fire Boom 8 Many types of fire boom available. – Elastec / American Marine Hydro-Fire boom – Applied Fabrics – 3m Ceramic boom – Oil stop fire booms generally last well beyond their expected service life.

Mechanics of Burning, continued  Need to be able to ignite the oil once boomed.  Helitorch shown here

IN-SITU BURNING The fire boom is 500 ft long. Towed behind two vessels with a 300 ft tow line. Once the oil is captured, an ignition boat/helocopter will come to the boom and using an igniter, light the fire. Once the fire is going, the vessels turn into the wind and keep towing very slowly gathering more oil. 10

Mechanics of Burning, continued  Need to be able to control the burn and stop it if necessary.  By having the boom boats pull forward faster on the boom, which “drowns” the fire.

Mechanics of Burning, continued When burn is done, need to clean-up oil residue.

California In-situ Burn Policy General Scope Coast is divided into designated zones: - Offshore waters 35 nm or more from coastline Pre-Approval to the Federal On-Scene Coordinator FOSC discretion to determine whether use is appropriate. - Offshore waters 0-35 nm from coastline Quick Approval Specific distances from shore with off-shore or parallel-to-shore winds. Case-by-Case All other areas and wind conditions. There are no designated prohibition zones.

Fate of Oil in Deepwater Horizon Spill More than 400 in ‐ situ burns conducted One burn consumed approx. 70,000 bbls. 300,000+ barrels oil removed by in ‐ situ burns 14

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A number of “Mega Burns” occurred when a very large area fire spilled out of the boomed area.

ISB Safety 19 SAFETY IS PARAMOUNT TO THE EVOLUTION. – Safety and air monitoring personnel shall be on each lead boat of the burn team – Personnel on the igniter vessels shall wear fire retardant clothing – Air monitoring for flammability and particulate shall be conducted – Designation of a safe area for vessels and personnel to retreat to if needed

Burn Plan 20 The burn plan should include: – Operational checklists, and an action plan, including a “Go/No-Go” policy and burn termination criteria. – Address clear delegation of authority for stopping the burn. One person (Burn Coordinator) onboard each command vessel to stop the burn should safety become jeopardized.

Crude oil burn in pond/wetland

Tarry residue picked up in sheets

Recovery one year later

In situ burn inland summary In-Situ Burning is a useful cleanup method for inland oil spills Safety of the burn is paramount Weather and season must be considered Moisture is needed to prevent the fire from spreading and to protect the plants Ignition is “easy” Burn residue may still have to be recovered or treated (bioremediation)

Mark Gregory (510) (office) (415) (mobile)