Sensitivity mapping aids situational awareness and response strategy development for responders and decision makers during an incident, making it a vital tool in oil spill preparedness and response.
Oil spill sensitivity maps should be considered as a support tool to develop the oil spill response strategy, and as an operational tool which complements the oil spill contingency plan. As such, it is beneficial if maps are developed during the contingency planning process.
Oil spill sensitivity maps (including the mapping of coastal sub-tidal habitats) can also support the development of a dispersant use policy by providing information on the potential impact of dispersed oil in the water column.
The sensitivity maps provide a comprehensive overview of the coastline and the sensitive resources at risk in the event of an oil spill.
Benefits:
Oil Spill Response Limited (OSRL) is at the forefront of industry good practice, having significantly contributed to several International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA) Good Practice Guides. We closely follow the guidelines for IPIECA’s ‘Sensitivity Mapping for Oil Spill Response’ 2012 where applicable; and can tailor the project to any client specific guidelines. Environmental sensitivity mapping brings together environmental, socio-economic and operational data into a simple, focused and user-friendly tool.
Planning:
Response:
Features:
Map Development:
OSRL produces sensitivity maps appropriate for each user’s needs. Maps are designed according to the level of detail required, the type of response and the user’s role within the response structure.
OSRL gathers data from a variety of sources:
| Who is it for? | Planners and decision makers |
| How does it help? |
Clear identification of the most sensitive sites Aids prioritisation and response strategy development Fits into Strategic Response Plans |
| What does it include? |
Vulnerability ranking of shoreline, based on:
|
| Scale | Small scale, typically 1:1,000,000 – 1:200,000 |
| Who is it for? | Incident managers and responders |
| How does it help? |
Identifies sensitive environments that may be affected by an oil spill Identifies all the necessary environmental, socio-economic and logistical information to plan and implement response operations Fits into Strategic Response Plans |
| What does it include? |
Shoreline type/sensitivity (ESI) Protected areas Sensitive biological resources, such as endangered species Sensitive socio-economic features, such as aquaculture, ports and villages
|
| Scale | Medium scale, typically 1:100,000 – 1:25,000 |
| Who is it for? | Responders |
| How does it help? |
Provides site specific information Reproduced in a suitable format for use in the field Optional, only developed for the most sensitive sites Fits into Tactical Response Plans (TRPs) |
| What does it include? |
All logistical and operational information, such as:
|
| Scale | Large scale, typically 1:25,000 – 1:10,000 |
Speak to one of the Geomatics Team who will guide you through your options.
