New oil recovery package minimises spill damage

Norwegian suppliers Framo, Maritime Partner, Norbit Aptomar, and NorLense have come together to create the OSRV (Oil Spill Recovery Vessel) Group offering a solution that covers detection and containment to recovery of a spill alongside equipment that can handle clean-up incidents.

“Our aim is to be a one-stop-shop where we pool our efforts and act as a total systems supplier of safe, highly functional, and well-tested technology,” said Jørgen Brandt Theodorsen, area manager, oil & gas pumping systems, at Framo.

Live data monitoring

Norbit Aptomar’s radar and infrared camera uses live data to establish an oil slicks location, its size, its relative thickness, and in what direction it is heading, while Maritime Partner’s vessels are used to deploy booms from NorLense, which contain the oil. The oil is then recovered onto a vessel with the Framo TransRec Oil Skimmer System.

The Framo TransRec system pumps have the capacity to clean the ocean for up to 400,000 litres of oil per hour. This is equivalent to 16 large road tankers being emptied of their cargo in 60 minutes, said the Group.

Norbit Aptomar’s live data can also be used to confirm that the oil spill has been contained.

Mr Theodorsen added: “In an oil spill situation, every minute counts. Water and oil expand when mixed. Similar to a fire, a small oil slick can grow very large if not dealt with at an early stage. This may result in significant costs and environmental damage.”

The equipment can be purchased or leased.