An improved and more effective oil-spill response system
The new system, SECurus, ensures that we obtain a better idea of the extent of an oil slick in the sea. The system makes it easier to see and remove the oil both during the day and at night. This is particularly important in the far north where there is little daylight in the winter months.

Vessel-based emergency response

The new system is operated from a vessel, and utilises both an infra-red camera and a newly developed radar system to monitor and collect information about the oil-spill. Normally aeroplanes and helicopters are used to monitor the situation, but these are not always available. With monitoring now possible from vessels already in the area, this new tool brings considerable benefits.

Precise results

By measuring differences in temperature, the SECurus distinguishes between the thick and thin areas in an oil slick, enabling oil spill removal efforts to be concentrated in areas where environmental damage can be hindered most effectively. The SECurus information can be shared interactively, in real time, between the emergency response vessel and the land-based organisation. This means that documentation is improved and the emergency response situation is considerably simplified.

Oil-spill emergency response further improved

Oil-spill emergency response, already very good in Norway, is further improved thanks to this technology. SECurus will play a central role in our oil-spill response in future and there are plans to introduce it on all Statoil’s emergency response vessels on the Norwegian continental shelf.

This technology was tested during the oil spill drill «Oil on the water» with good results. The system can also be used in emergency response situations involving searches for people missing at sea.

SECurus was developed jointly by the Aptomar company, Statoil, ENI and the Research Council of Norway to boost the efficiency of challenging oil spill response operations in cold, dark areas close to the coast. Innovation Norway also played an important role in establishing and developing Aptomar.

NOFO

The Norwegian Oil Spill Protection Society for Operating Companies (NOFO) launched a new technology development programme in 2008/09: Oil Spill Protection 2010. A total of 175 project proposals were received and, after several thorough evaluations, roughly 20 project development contracts were signed. To begin with, NOFO is awarding more than NOK 30 million to the programme.

The aim is accelerated technological development within the fields of:

- Removal technology (prioritised)
- Chemical dispersal when mechanical removal is not adequate
- Remote measurement
- Coastline and beach operations