Each year Petroleum Association of Japan brings new and interesting topics to its annual Workshop to illustrate the development of spill response and preparedness strategies based on the lessons learned from past major incidents such as “Exxon Valdez” 1987, “Gulf War Oil Spill” 1991, “Nakhodka” 1997, “Deep Water Horizon in the Gulf of Mexico” 2010 and other notable incidents. This year we plan to hold the 13th Oil Spill Workshop under the theme of “New Technologies & Strategy in Oil Spill Response” to discuss issues arising from spills of alternative marine fuels, and the challenges of responding to such incidents, and new methods for measuring surface currents and so on.

As the industry transitions to a more sustainable future, alternative fuels and their low sulphur fuel oils, biomass-based diesels, liquified natural gas, hydrogen associated products are becoming more prevalent in production, transport, and use. Their safe handling and prevention of spills is a priority. This widening range of alternative fuels and associated products (including ammonia) will behave differently to crude oils and traditional fuel oils when spilled in the marine environment. To meet this challenge, we need to make sure that we have equipment with the latest technology, organisation with the correct strategy in place and to do this we need a focus on research and development to provide the right solutions.

Considering the above, our workshop will highlight the environmental benefits in the growing use of alternative fuels and the work being done to cope with the challenges faced by the industry in the event of spill of these products in both the technical and organizational situation. You will hear directly from Oil Spill Response Limited (OSRL), Norwegian Coastal Administration (Kystverket), International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA) and the Japanese Maritime Disaster Prevention Center (MDPC) about the research and development they are doing in the use of drones to predict surface currents.

After all presentations have been given, the session will be open to the audience of this Workshop for free discussion with each presenter to deepen and confirm understanding of the issues raised and to answer any questions that the audience may have.

Opening Workshop

Opening Address

Mr. Yasunori Yazaki

   Senior Vice President, ENEOS Corporation

   Chairman, OSR Measures Committee, PAJ

Speech by Honorable Guest

Mr. Takuma Hori

   Fuel Supply Infrastructure Policy Division
   Natural Resources and Fuel Department
   Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, METI

Open Session with Speakers

Closing Remarks

Mr. Hiroshi Oikawa

   Managing Director, PAJ