Hydrocarbon spill prevention
We evaluate the risk of spills occurring and potential impacts while taking numerous precautions to prevent spills and mitigate impact within our operations. Specialized designs, operating procedures, routine maintenance of our facilities, verifications and process safety best practices play a key role in preventing spills and protecting the environment where we operate.
We develop and maintain site-specific Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) plans for identified facilities. We have dedicated spill prevention teams in areas with high activity and sensitive ecosystems. If a spill does occur, established practices and resources are deployed to control and mitigate the impact. We are also focused on strengthening our critical incident risk management capability through our systematic, multitiered approach to emergency preparedness and crisis management. Hydrocarbon spills impacting a sensitive area and spills greater than 100 barrels are immediately reported to our corporate office.
In 2023, we experienced zero hydrocarbon spills to the environment greater than 100 barrels.
The number of hydrocarbon spills to the environment greater than one barrel decreased in 2023. We had 38 spills that were greater than one barrel. Forty-five percent of the spilled volume was fully recovered. None of our spills in 2023 impacted a shoreline.
In 2022, our methodology for reporting hydrocarbon spills to the environment was reviewed and updated to better align with Ipieca reporting standards. Total spill volumes for events are recorded distinctly for each impacted location and separated by the type and volume of each material. This approach is consistent with industry best practices and has allowed for a more accurate spill assessment by considering site-specific conditions and only reporting the volumes that are impacting the environment. Spill volumes prior to 2022 have not been adjusted to reflect this methodology update.
The ongoing reduction in spill counts and volumes is also a reflection of enhanced spill prevention awareness and mitigation tactics in recent years. View our Performance Metrics.
Spill response and mitigation
We have both internal and external resources to assist with spill remediation and response. Our investment in spill response technologies includes membership in Oil Spill Removal Organizations (OSROs) across the globe, which affords us access to substantial inventories of, and the latest advances in, proven response equipment.
In the Gulf of Mexico, we are members of two OSROs, Marine Spill Response Corporation (MSRC) and Clean Gulf Associates (CGA). Our Alaska business unit has memberships in two large OSROs, including Alaska Clean Seas (ACS) and Ship Escort/Response Vessel System (SERVS) for our exploration and production operations on the North Slope and our Polar Tanker operations in Prince William Sound, respectively. Our membership in MSRC, as well as a contract with the National Response Corporation (NRC), provides coverage for our Polar Tankers operations along the U.S. west coast.
In addition to our U.S.-based OSRO memberships, the company also belongs to Oil Spill Response Limited (OSRL)and The Norwegian Clean Seas Association for Operating Companies (NOFO). OSRL provides substantial global response resources staged at various locations around the world, whereas NOFO, also with significant resources, provides regional OSRO support for our Norway operations. We are also members in other, somewhat smaller, local OSROs associated with many of our global operations.
Read more about our Emergency Preparedness.