As the Arctic is becoming more accessible due to higher temperatures and the melting of ice, also oil and gas activities are likely to increase in the region. Simultaneously, the risk of oil spills increases. The Arctic is defined by harsh conditions, remoteness, and limited infrastructure, which implies logistics challenges. Since most conventional response technologies require prompt action, they have limited potential in the Northern Periphery and the Arctic. To counteract the negative effects of an oil spill, it is important to improve the operational capability for handling oil spills in Arctic areas with proper oil spill contingency planning.

In this report, Jani Häkkinen and Jorma Rytkönen (Finnish Environment Institute) provide recommendations for the best technological and operational practices for oil spill response (OSR) in the Northern Periphery and Arctic region. The main focus is on three OSR methods seen as suitable in the Arctic area: mechanical response, in-situ burning, and the use of dispersants. Natural oil biodegradation – attenuation – is also discussed shortly. Other important factors handled in this report are the use of remote sensing, satellites, the use of drones, and other tools suitable for detecting oil. The modelling of oil spill trajectories is also discussed, and several known models and their basic features are covered.

• Download the report Recommendations for best technological and operational practices for oil spill response in the NPA region (2020) here 
• Join the OSR in Arctic an Icy Conditions webinar on 7 April! Read more here.

The report is part of the work carried out within the project Arctic Preparedness Platform for Oil Spill and Other Environmental Damages (APP4SEA), funded by the EU Northern Periphery and Arctic Programme.