Effective Daily Recovery Capacity (EDRC)

• Established following the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (Exxon Valdez incident)

• Quantifies the amount of pollution equipment needed by plan holders for an effective response to oil spills, including Worst Case Discharge (WCD) scenarios

• Method of calculation (formula) is described in 33 CFR 154 / 155

Effective Daily Recovery Capacity (EDRC)

R = T x 24 hours x E

R = EDRCT = Throughput rate in barrels per hour

(nameplate capacity) E = 20 percent Efficiency factor (or lower factor

as determined by Coast Guard)

Alternate Method

• Approved method under regulations• ASTM Standard F631, orVerified actual spill performance data• Calculates lower recovery capacity than EDRC• Not used in calculations by most plan holders

What does EDRC account for?

• Weather• Sea State• Daily operating period

What does EDRC not account for?

• Encounter rate• Oil type & thickness• Emulsification• Location of spill (offshore, inshore, inland)• Storage capacity• Skimmer operator proficiency (human factor)• Impact of dispersants on oil recoverability

Factors Affecting Skimming Efficiency

Storage Capacity

Encounter Rates

Weathering

Human Factors

Chemical Dispersion

Weather, Geography & Ocean Characteristics

Weathering

Oil Characteristics

Detection

Credit: NASA

SkimmingEfficiency

EDRC during Deepwater Horizon

• The EDRC on-scene during this incident far exceeded BP’s Oil Spill Response Plan (OSRP) requirements

• At height of incident, EDRC on-scene was equivalent to almost 2X the Worst Case Discharge for the Macando Well

• Estimated only 3% of total amount of oil released was mechanically recovered

DWH Reports on EDRC

National Commission report• Coast Guard should revise EDRC to encourage

development of more efficient systemsISPR Report• EDRC on-scene far exceeded plan requirements, yet

mechanical recovery accounted for small amount• EDRC should incorporate offshore limitations such as

encounter rate• Regulations should encourage R&D of more effective

skimmer systems

EDRC Workshop at IOSC 2011

• Sponsored by USCG, BSEE, & API• Attendance from representatives from the

oil spill response community • Presentations followed by facilitated

discussion

IOSC 2011 – Federal Govt perspective

• We need to create incentives that allow the government & industry to find ways to develop more effective systems

• We need to better align planning standards with actual performance

• We should consider different approaches for different operating environments

• Regulations over-emphasize pump capacity & neglect other parts of skimming systems

IOSC 2011 – Oil Industry perspective

• Statistics from DWH do not represent the whole picture for mechanical recovery

• Industry has embraced DWH lessons learned & is looking at ways to improve encounter rate

• We need to rely on all our response tools in the offshore environment (dispersants, in-situ burn)

• Focus on a systems approach; must include well-maintained equipment & trained personnel

IOSC 2011 – Shipping Industry perspective

• Public & Congress expects industry to improve every time we respond

• OPA 90 is sound; there is no need to make significant changes post-DWH

• Big differences between OPA 90 & DWH• We need to embrace our existing regulatory

framework & build upon our successes

IOSC 2011 - OSRO Community perspective• Planning measure estimate for oil recovery• Fundamentally sound concept but open to enhancement• Fundamental to Response Plan Holders and their

contracted OSROs– Drives capital investment and inventory needs– Provides broad framework for comparison and measurement

for Plan adequacy • Performance dictated by numerous external factors and

not intended to be directly correlated to the planning standard

IOSC 2011 - OSRO Community perspective• Safe, Realistic, Achievable, Reliable criteria• Broader “System” approach with oil recovery device

EDRC as only part of the solution• ASTM F1780 - 97(2010) Standard Guide for Estimating

Oil Spill Recovery System Effectiveness• Enhanced communication and education when we

greatly increase EDRC during large incident• More Industry and Government sponsored R&D

Potential Courses of Action

• Making improvements & adjusting “E” • Identifying different site specific “E”s• Create a new model based on NOAAs

mechanical equipment calculation model• Adopt another country’s system (i.e. Norway)• Adopt an improved ASTM standard with a

new efficiency factor

Way Forward

• USCG & BSEE have initiated an independent, 3rd party research contract w/ GENWEST

• Agencies will review final report and determine a way forward to address this issue