This year marks a milestone for OSRL as we recognise 40 years of leadership, innovation, and global impact in oil spill preparedness and response. Since our inception, we have evolved from a small initiative into a global organisation supporting our members worldwide. Today, we reflect not only on our remarkable history but also on the future we are building.
OSRL's story began in the 1980s when leading oil companies recognised the need for a dedicated response capability to address oil spill incidents. Recognising that oil spills were an industry-wide issue rather than the concern of a single company, bp joined forces with Esso, Texaco, Petro-Canada, and Mobil to form what is now known as OSRL. This cooperative arrangement laid the foundation for a new era in tiered oil spill response capability. What started as a single company initiative quickly became a global response organisation. Over the past four decades, we've navigated an evolving industry, responded to some of the most significant oil spills in history, and continuously advanced our capabilities to meet the needs of our members.
From small-scale incidents to significant events, OSRL has consistently demonstrated its ability to mitigate oil spills' environmental and societal impacts. We've responded to over 400 spills since 1984 and each response underscores our commitment to supporting our members anytime, anywhere.
Our membership grew significantly in the early years. However, the Exxon Valdez oil spill in March 1989 underscored the necessity of our organisation. We were among the first organisations to respond, providing expertise and specialist resources. The Exxon Valdez incident led to a rapid expansion in our membership, with the number of member companies increasing to 17 by the end of 1989. This growth trend has continued over the decades, as we now serve around 40 shareholders and over 125 associate members, representing more than two-thirds of the world's oil production.
As membership grew, so did OSRL. OSRL merged with East Asia Response Limited (EARL) in 2006 and Clean Caribbean and Americas (CCA) in 2013, further expanding its global reach. Our international presence is central to our mission. With 300 employees across 13 strategically located bases globally, our multidisciplinary teams collaborate closely with members and stakeholders, combining local insights with global expertise to deliver effective and efficient responses.
Our commitment to innovation, expertise, and continuous improvement is unwavering. Over the years, we have expanded our capabilities to provide comprehensive services that address multiple aspects of oil spill preparedness and response. Preparedness Services ensure our members are ready to respond with equipment hire, bespoke training programs, exercises and expert consultancy.
Subsea Well Intervention Services deliver rapid access to advanced well-capping and containment technology, enabling effective responses to subsea incidents. Member Response Services offer response capability during oil spills, leveraging our global resources, expert advice and specialist equipment. Our teams, which include specialists in operational response, consultancy, and science, are supported by functional experts in logistics, technology, and training, ensuring seamless service delivery. This blend of operational excellence and cross-disciplinary expertise has made us the company we are today. Looking to the future, we are committed to elevating our expertise and adapting to our members' needs and the changing energy landscape.
We are embracing the latest technologies, including virtual reality training, advanced simulation tools, and innovative platforms such as the Incident Hub, to enhance our response capabilities and foster greater collaboration. By leveraging these cutting-edge tools, we are building an operational platform that is fit for the future and capable of adapting as the industry evolves. Our innovation extends beyond traditional response capabilities. Today, we are exploring projects like preparedness for alternative marine fuels research and collaborating with members on emerging challenges. From supporting wind farm operations to tackling plastic pollution, we are broadening our scope to address the evolving needs of our industry and the environment.
As the energy landscape evolves, OSRL is committed to innovation and supporting our members through the energy transition. We are focused on delivering solutions that meet today’s challenges while preparing for tomorrow’s opportunities.
At the heart of OSRL's success is our engaged, diverse, and highly skilled workforce. Our culture reflects the values that drive us: safety, excellence, collaboration, respect, and integrity, ensuring that our teams remain motivated to deliver exceptional service to our members.
Our history of leadership also includes strong visionaries who have guided us through important moments. Our first CEO, Sally Rothwell, who joined from ConocoPhillips, and our current leader, Vania De Stefani, who joined from bp, have all played an instrumental role in shaping OSRL's trajectory.
As we recognise this significant milestone, we remain focused on the future. OSRL is dedicated to supporting our members as they navigate the energy transition, ensuring they are prepared for emerging risks and equipped to meet the challenges ahead. By embracing technology, fostering collaboration, and maintaining our commitment to continuous improvement, we will continue to deliver world-class services that make a tangible difference.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the members, partners, and stakeholders who have been instrumental in our journey. Together, we have built a legacy of excellence that continues to define OSRL’s role as the industry’s trusted choice for oil spill preparedness and response.
Over the years we have cultivated a group of highly experienced and qualified staff ready to advise and support clients in all aspects of oil spill preparedness and response. As we reflect on our 40 years, we asked a selection of people from our bases around the world, to explain what makes OSRL a unique place to work, some of their most memorable moments and what motivates them each day.
I started with OSRL in 2014 as a Responder in Brazil, moving through roles as a Response Specialist and then a Senior Response Specialist before stepping into my current role as Services and Solutions Manager. Over the years, I've transitioned from purely operational roles to a focus on engagement and preparedness, though I still assist with operations as needed. One of my proudest accomplishments was co-leading OSRL’s first-ever SWIS (Subsea Well Intervention Services) mobilisation for a member in 2019, and in 2022 I was part of a historic mobilisation for another of our members. These experiences were intense but incredibly rewarding and showcased OSRL's commitment to response readiness.
I'm proud to be a part of this unique organisation, and all the people that make it diverse. OSRL has allowed me to work with people from all over the world, from Norway to South Africa, and I love the global perspective it brings to my life.
After more than 15 years with OSRL, my journey has taken me from responder to my current role as Australia Business Manager. My time here has spanned various areas, including preparedness, external engagement, and business development. I'll always remember not only the nerves I felt on my first oil spill deployment but also the sense of pride to contribute to helping mitigate the impact on the environment; those early hands-on experiences have been invaluable.
What makes OSRL special for me is its people. Working alongside talented, supportive colleagues has enriched my experience and provided a constant source of learning. The team's dedication and solidarity truly stand out, creating an environment that nurtures both personal and professional growth. The people we have at OSRL make all the difference!
I've spent 26 years with OSRL, starting at East Asia Response Ltd and evolving through six roles to my current position, which combines my love for creativity with project management and is my favourite role so far. Over the years, I've had the opportunity to create the OSRL Yearbook, launch the company's first website, develop social media channels, and collaborate on our magazine, "The Global Response".
I’ve seen more and more gender diversity in our organisation, including a greater representation of women in roles that historically were predominantly fulfilled by men, breaking the norms and proving that women are equally capable in science and technology.
The increase in women in technical roles has inspired me, and I'm grateful for the supportive managers and colleagues who have encouraged my growth. OSRL has provided an incredible environment for learning and innovation, allowing me to contribute meaningfully while doing what I love.
My career with OSRL has stretched across nearly three decades, I’ve travelled extensively, taken part in various training, exercises and spills, and assisted in setting up a member's in-house spill response capability whilst working as a dedicated consultant for a member company.
Whilst on a long-term placement in Kazakhstan, I was responsible for hiring, training, procurement and contingency planning. Our planning came into action as the North Caspian Sea freezes between October to April, so we had to sort alternative routes for emergency response. As a result, hovercrafts were introduced to the Caspian for the first time to help transport in an emergency.
In 2003 I was invited for a short deployment working on an offshore vessel, which would help shape my career further. I was coordinating overnight offshore deployment exercises in Hawaii, as well as conducting a large 300 person tabletop exercise. These roles have allowed me to refine our response protocols while tackling complex logistics and building international connections.
Navigating diverse environments, from the Niger Delta to crisis management sites, has deepened my expertise in oil spill response. These experiences highlight the challenges and responsibilities of mitigating the impact on environmental and community interests on a global scale.
My 16 years at OSRL began in Bahrain, where I quickly became a key part of our Middle East operations. I had only been at OSRL for four months when I experienced my first major incident to respond to. The incident was an inland spill in Yemen; it was both challenging and rewarding and an experience that helped define my career path. The teamwork, dedication, and sense of purpose I experienced during this event solidified my commitment to the company.
My journey at OSRL has been built on teamwork and a shared dedication to supporting our members. Throughout my journey, I have had the privilege of working with some of the industry's best, colleagues, members, and contractors. Their guidance and support have been instrumental in my development, teaching me the importance of direction, resilience, and continuous learning. I'm grateful for the mentorship and collaboration that have guided me and look forward to continuing my contributions to OSRL's future.
Since joining OSRL over 20 years ago as a consultant, my career has developed, and I have progressed to Science, Technology, and Stakeholder Engagement (STSE) Manager. This is a new post in the newly formed engagement function at OSRL. My work has included developing spill response techniques and launching our academic engagement program. A key accomplishment has been building our Shoreline Cleanup Assessment Technique (SCAT) capability aligned to industry good standards, and positioning OSRL as a trusted partner in emergency response.
I am immensely proud of the work myself and my team have put into developing our academic engagement programme from virtually nothing to a regular part of our engagement activities and even extending to PhD supervision, helping to encourage the next generation of spill responders and scientists.
For me, OSRL's people are what make the journey rewarding. Working alongside professionals from diverse fields has been a constant source of fulfilment, and I take great pride in witnessing the growth of my colleagues. From remote sites in Indonesia to Mauritania's deserts, my time with OSRL has been dynamic and impactful.
OSRL and UK and Ireland Spill Association have, since our formation in 2004, worked closely together to deliver best practice and inspire excellence in spill response. It has been a proactive partnership that thrives today and inspires worldwide. We celebrate your 40th and our 20th birthday and look forward to continuing to innovate for many years!
I have worked with OSRL for 20 years now, both at ITOPF and at bp. They are a cornerstone of the Industry's response capability.
I have personally worked on-site with OSRL on numerous spills – the RENA and GRIGOROUSSA spring to mind, but there have been many others. OSRL has been able to provide support with many bp exercises and drills, both on-site and remotely. Their expertise in operations, logistics and response has consolidated our capabilities and allowed us to work better together.
I have always considered their experience of practical response issues, dispersants, and equipment a valuable resource that I have relied on for many years. I am confident that our continued partnership with OSRL will continue to enhance our collective response readiness as we face future response challenges in our evolving industry.
Ipieca has been working closely with OSRL for many years to continuously improve marine spill preparedness globally. As Senior Manager of the Ipieca Marine Spill Group, I really appreciate and value the support and input from our experienced spill responder colleagues at OSRL.
