The Use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) in Oil Spill Preparedness and Response

Abstract GIS provides a dynamic, user-friendly interface to explore a number of different attributes and physical information gathered from a spill; foremost, it provides the mechanism to speed up decision making and more accurately quantify offshore spill size and trajectory. Utilising GIS can greatly improve the efficiency of oil spill contingency planning. Hazards and risks can be pre-determined and strategies developed to mitigate the impacts of potential oil spills. Geographic layers and parameters can be overlaid and interrogated to illustrate a range of information, for example sensitive areas, pre-defined Net Environmental and Economic Benefit Analysis (NEEBA) studies, habitat mapping, booming plans, logistic routes, response times, and waste sites. GIS can be used in an oil spill emergency to overlay trajectory modelling outputs with the data the system contains. This can be used for decision making, for example prioritising sensitivities for protection, deciding upon response strategies, determining loading/staging areas, identifying features, ports or harbours etc. Other applications during an oil spill incident include combining modelling, satellite imagery and aerial observations to quantify more accurately the volume spilled and size of the slick. GIS also provides a platform to present information clearly and concisely to stakeholders involved in the incident. In addition, GIS databases can store a variety of information from previous oil spill incidents and present it through one interactive interface that allows data to be accessed both quickly and efficiently. Such interactive databases enable the lessons to be learnt to be clearly communicated and facilitate improved hazard awareness within the industry. The paper will expand of all these topics and use recent case studies to demonstrate the benefits of GIS in both preparedness activities and actual responses.