Our UK supplementary Tier 2 response services are available to all Members with oil and gas E&P facilities in UKCS waters. This includes the provision of UKCS Aerial Surveillance, OSPRAG Capping Device, the UKCS Dispersant Stockpile and aerial spray and test-spray capability through our Boeing 727. We know that these are key components in the UK offshore oil and gas industry's oil spill contingency plans, which also include source control, containment, recovery and shoreline protection using booms.
Operators undertaking exploration and production activities within the UK Continental Shelf must demonstrate that they have access to an aerial surveillance capability. In order to facilitate this, we have ensured this provision is available through our supplementary agreements. Furthermore, we also provide access to a UKCS dispersant stockpile and a regionally dedicated capping device through further supplementary agreements. Having these capabilities in place through our services ensures operators have the ability to show due diligence when carrying out exploration and production activities in the UKCS region.
Response Services
Our Members can benefit from access to OSRL’s UKCS Aerial Surveillance Service - available to all oil and gas operators in UKCS waters. It provides fast, Tier 2 response compliant with DECC aerial surveillance requirements and the UK legislative aerial surveillance requirements set out in the OPRC Convention.
We have everything in place to be able to provide our Members with access to aerial surveillance:
- Navajo PA-31 on standby at Robin Hood airport, Doncaster, UK. This is the dedicated aerial surveillance aircraft with advanced remote sensing and communication equipment.
We offer access to the UKCS Aerial Surveillance through a supplementary subscription to a Member’s existing Associate/Participant agreement. Gas only membership is also available upon request.
One of the most effective measures to strengthen the UK's oil spill response capability was the development of a well capping device by UK Oil & Gas (OSPRAG), designed to seal off a subsea well and regain control in the unlikely event of a blowout. By having the access and ability to deploy such a stack, UKCS operators can show due diligence in their operations. We have made sure that our OSPRAG capping service provides Members operating within the UKCS access to the OSPRAG capping stack held in Aberdeen along with the proven logistics expertise to mobilise it to the port of departure.
We use the OSPRAG Capping Device as it was built specifically for wells in the UKCS. Its modular design and flexible connector interface allow for use on subsea oil wells across the North Sea including west of Shetland. It also features a transition adaptor designed to make the device suitable for the most common blowout preventer (BOP) and lower marine riser package (LMRP) connector interfaces in the UKCS.
You can gain access to the OSPRAG Capping Device through a supplementary agreement to an existing Associate/Participant agreement.
The UKCS Dispersant Stockpile was procured for use by industry after recommendation from OSPRAG.
It provides our Members operating in the UKCS with essential access to dispersant stockpiles located in two strategic locations. The stockpile includes 500m3 Slickgone NS for exclusive use in the UKCS region. The dispersant is stored in IBCs in secured warehouses and we will provide all the logistics to get it where it needs to be.
Our Members can gain access to the UKCS dispersant stockpile through a supplementary agreement to an existing Associate/Participant agreement.
If you would like more information on any of the additional services described above please contact our team.