Virtual oil spills from drilling locations and offshore facilities around New Zealand are being tracked with a new product developed by MetOcean Solutions.

The computer generated visual representation of potential oil spill resides on the MetOcean Solutions internet forecast portal, and is designed to give spill responders an instant ‘heads up’ on trajectory in the event of a spill incident.

Dr David Johnson, Technical Director of Metocean Solutions, says rather than waiting on weather information to come through, and then running a trajectory model, responders can now have trajectory results available to them in real-time. “Normally, we provide a simulation result within 30 minutes of notice, but if an event occurs at 3 in the morning for example it will take longer to prepare.”

“Timing is of the essence when major decisions are being made in the initial stages of an oil spill event,” says Dr Johnson.

“With the spill forecasting system, as soon as a spill occurs, responders can see immediately how the oil spill is likely to behave over the next five days. This gives a good indication of what resources may be required and where they need to be deployed.” The initial simulation result would of course be backed up with a ‘hands on’ trajectory simulation, which can refine the release timing and magnitude.

The spill simulations are undertaken every time the MetOcean Solutions weather forecast cycle is updated, which is six hourly for most locations. The system also works on a global scale; using the best available forecast data - which may be from a global scale model or a custom domain.

The simulations need a fixed release point identified, making it particularly suitable for drilling platforms, production facilities and tanker moorings. However there is potential for other industries to make use of the product. Dr Johnson says the product can be to be adapted to track sewerage outfall plumes or bio-security events, for example.