Ohmsett - The National Oil Spill Response Research & Renewable Energy Test Facility plays a critical role in developing the most effective response technologies enabling a rapid and efficient response to an actual spill. The facility, which is operated by the U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), provides a crucial intermediate step between small-scale bench testing and open water testing of equipment by allowing testing of full scale equipment in a controlled environment. Information gathered at Ohmsett plays an essential role in the development of new technology and in the creation of more effective procedures for responding to future oil spills.
Recent programs for innovative spill recovery technologies include: Testing Prototype Stationary and Advancing Skimming Systems, Remote Detection of Spilled Oil on Surface Water, Detection and Recovery of Sunken Oil, and Testing Mechanical Devices for Recovery of Spilled Oil in Ice Conditions (a.k.a. Ice Month). While the testing will still be on-going during March 2013, we will briefly discuss the results of Ice Month during the presentation of this paper. While much of the data collected is proprietary, this paper will summarize and discuss the methodology used during recent testing and research conducted at Ohmsett.
Recent Testing, Training, and Research Conducted at Ohmsett - The National Oil Spill Response Research & Renewable Energy Test Facility