OPEN TO ALL ATTENDEES
Protecting the world from the impact of oils spills requires study, protection, monitoring and sustainable use of the sea, the coast, and marine resources. Steps must be taking to ensure their protection and conservation.
This workshop will cover what is involved in today’s high-tech and environmentally sensitive world of monitoring and detection of oil spills from a very broad perspective. It involves coordination between Oil & Gas producers, research and development, contingency planning, ongoing environment research, as well as technologies and innovation. Please join us for this workshop and hear from the experts.
OPEN TO ALL ATTENDEES
This workshop is designed for introductory level Incident Command System (ICS) practitioners. Participants will begin by reviewing ICS fundamentals before moving into a scenario-based practical exercise, engaging in activities from perspectives of six key positions from the command and general staff. Activities will be framed around a continual improvement concept, focusing on three core elements of effective ICS performance: forms, collaboration, and deliverables.
OPEN TO ALL ATTENDEES
Attendees should take away an understanding of the “soup to nuts” responsibilities of being the “Safety Officer” on a large-scale spill response. Attendees will leave with the understanding of their roles, responsibilities, exposure and consequences of not establishing a safe work environment.
Key takeaways:
1.) HASP (Health and Safety Plan)- What is the purpose of a HASP, how to create a HASP and who is responsible for the HASP. (Creating the HASP from a mock scenario of a train derailment on a major river).
2.) Daily Safety Briefings (JSA) How to create an effective JSA based on the scope of work, the site hazards and a means of performing the job safely. Discuss potential language barriers with contractor labor force and how to effectively communicate with the crews.
3.) Site Safety Audits- Understand the importance of conducting site safety audits. Review the process of conducting a site safety audit, identifying the hazards, correct the significant/detrimental hazards immediately and communicate your finds to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.
Who Should Attend
· Newly hired safety professionals
· Safety liaisons or designated company representatives that do not hold a Safety Officer title
As predicted, the 2024 hurricane season left a trail of destruction from the Texas coast to the Carolinas. Hurricane season got off to an early start in June with Hurricane Beryl aiming for the Texas Gulf Coast. The hurricane models forecasted Beryl to make landfall between Corpus Christi and Matagorda Bay. In preparation of landfall companies across Southeast Texas activated their hurricane response plans. Beryl defied the forecasted direction of its predicted path at landfall and moved more eastward leaving many companies and local personnel in the Houston area caught off guard with the surprising amount of infrastructure damage. This session will highlight the decision-making process and after-action items to re-evaluate how we responded to Beryl, as well as discuss other storms that impacted our processes, plans, and procedures or forced us to adjust how we might respond in the future..
Refreshments also provided.
In this session we will discuss the EPA’s requirement to conduct surface and subsea dispersant monitoring for oil spills of 100,000 gallons or greater, or dispersant use in excess of 96 hours. Various elements will be covered including the type of equipment used, what is involved in developing a dispersant monitoring quality assurance project plan, and how monitoring fits in with U.S. Coast Guard SMART Protocols.
This session will cover a variety of topics in oil spill research including crude oil detection using canines, in-situ burn smoke emissions, and subsurface mechanical dispersion of oil. On-shore crude oil detection canines have shown they are capable of rapidly detecting both surface and subsurface oil deposits with high accuracy. Additionally, documenting false positives during both human and canine tar deposit beach surveys on a section of non-manicured beach will be discussed. Approaches to create a product that can be incorporated into in-situ burn (ISB) operations to reduce emissions and/ or eliminate a plume resulting from ISB will be discussed. This session will also explore subsurface mechanical dispersion as an alternative measure to chemical dispersants in breaking up oil from underwater blowouts into small droplets.
The panel on Progress Made on Dispersant Stockpile and Resupply has been cancelled awaiting EPA approvals for submitted dispersants as well as ongoing industry discussions on resupply options.
The state of Resupply
1. The timeline for dispersant resupply to be completed in December 2025
2. EPA approval process is ongoing
3. Several dispersants have been submitted with the expectation that the approvals are forthcoming
This session will focus on the development and advancement of technologies related to oil spill response through scientific research and initiatives. The presentations will cover the current development and application of technologies, as well as future challenges and opportunities associated with oil spill technology development.
What is a drill, exercise, seminar, workshop? What are the differences between these? Why should we exercise? Join us for this session as we break these down and set the foundation for the rest of the Training and Exercise Track.
This reception offers the perfect chance to make connections, relax, and experience some authentic Texas country music from local artist Nate Burnham before the conference begins!
This session provides an opportunity to review best practices and lessons learned between major parties involved in the Pelican Island Bridge Allision following a partial bridge collapse and subsequent pollution response. Topics will include a case summary on the bridge allision, transportation impacts, pollution response tactics, and wildlife impacts. The session will wrap up with a moderated panel discussion with all of the speakers.
Oil spills, hazardous material spills, and natural disasters can have a tremendous impact on local communities. This session will highlight different engagement efforts and lessons learned.
Fish and birds and turtles…oh my. We never want to impact wildlife, but essential planning prior to an event ensures response is appropriate to protect it. This session will focus on increasing readiness and best practices.
In this session panelists will discuss the components of an exercise according to the NPREP 3-year cycle utilizing the HSEEP Process. Panelists will also give examples on how to do this.
Stop by the exhibit hall for a cup of coffee and discover our diverse range of exhibitors, all excited to showcase the latest innovations in response operations!
This session will cover challenges of setting up a response in remote locations. For example, often times an operator’s 1st or even 2nd Incident Command Posts (ICP) are not always usable or geographically suitable. Also included will be a logistics supplier viewpoint on meeting the needs of the response environment which can include housing, food, medical, and community.
This session will address the transition from traditional marine fuels to alternative options and the need to ensure their safe use as bunkers and their safe carriage as cargoes. Alternative fuels represent one element in the all-hands effort needed to achieve the UN's Global Development Initiatives. The successful transition to alternative fuels will depend on properly preventing, preparing and responding to alternative fuels and to their potential incidents.
It’s time for some Jeopardy! Learn through an interactive session how to build a plan, review it, and submit it correctly in a knowledgeable and fun interactive session! This session will highlight tips and tricks to help your organization submit top-quality, bulletproof plans to the EPA, PHMSA, and USCG regulators. This session will review essential lessons learned from real-world examples of facility response plans, oil spill response plans, dock operations manuals, spill prevention, control, and countermeasure plan submissions, and agency audits. Avoid costly delays and unnecessary plan reviews by getting it right first! Learn from experts with over 80 years of combined experience and who have supported thousands of plans.
This session will present the fundamentals of Adult Education and more specifically, to relate to “how” adults learn. Enhancing Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA) development and retention throughout an adult’s career will be a focus as well.
This session will provide case studies on the Maui Wildfire and the M/V Genius Start XI battery responses. Information you need will include special considerations for safe handling of damaged, defective, and recalled batteries.
With new regulations and requirements on the horizon, PFAS are creating disruptions and uncertainty. This session will specially focus on PFAS containing Aqueous Film-Forming Foams (AFFF) and its containment, remediation, and exposure risks.
During planning and preparedness, a thoughtful approach to risk management before the spill will lead to meaningful loss considerations and activities. We will explore Net Environmental Benefits Analysis (NEBA), barrier-based risk management, and shoreline treatment.
There are several factors that make up an effective training program. Specifically in this session the speakers will breakdown the following aspects to include – leadership, minimum requirements, selection of team members, and the facilitation of training.
Make your way to the Beer Garden in the exhibit hall for games, snacks, and a cold drink with your fellow attendees! It’s a fantastic opportunity to connect while having some fun.
Head on down to the exhibit hall for an afternoon pick-me up and spend more time exploring the exhibit hall!
As Chief Infrastructure Officer at Port Houston, Rich Byrnes is focused on the near, medium and long term future of the Port while keeping eyes on both a large scale capital plan and a long range sustainability road map. Over three decades in the maritime and energy industries inform his vision of an “and” approach to working: doing what’s good for business “and” the environment. Byrnes will complement a historical view of the Gulf and the Houston Ship Channel with a look to the future for a clean gulf and clean shipping, and building coalitions to make it happen.
Join us for a networking reception in the exhibit hall, where you can unwind with fellow attendees and exhibitors. It’s a fantastic opportunity to connect in a relaxed setting.
Open to All CLEAN GULF Registrants
CRRC will host a meeting to discuss all current and ongoing research regarding remote sensing, sunken oil, dispersants, modeling, and toxicity for incident response, preparedness, assessment/restoration.
An integral part of preparing for an oil spill response is being current and up-to-date on state and federal regulations. Learn what you need to know to conduct business relative to oil spill response and remediation directly from the federal and state regulators who are responsible for proposing new rules as well as implementation and enforcement.
Wrangle up some energy with a jolt of coffee and seize another opportunity to connect with exhibitors!
As drilling evolves so too must the tools, equipment, and responder training. This session will provide an opportunity for attendees to learn about advancements in capping stacks and subsea dispersant injection technology for oil spill response, understand the Underwater Seabed Cleanup Assessment Technique (uSCAT) Manual and gain new insights into community air monitoring programs for oil spills.
The waters and diverse ecosystems of the Gulf are our treasures, and its guardians - the responders who manage and mitigate spills and environmental hazards - are the unsung heroes dedicated to its protection. Yet, with the high stakes and intense demands of their roles comes a hidden toll; the impact on responders' mental health. In this critical session we will delve into the unique psychological challenges faced by these environmental stewards. From the emotional aftermath of large-scale disasters to the stress of ongoing vigilance for potential threats, our focus will be on equipping responders with the tools and support they need to maintain their mental well-being.
Harbor Safety Committees are key enablers of the national Marine Transportation System, supporting domestic and global supply chains and promoting the safe, efficient, and environmentally sound operation of our ports and waterways. The Lone Star Harbor Safety Committee is critical to the success of the Ports of Houston, Galveston, Texas City and Freeport and associated waterways, including the Houston Ship Channel. This panel of Lone Star Harbor Safety Committee Executive Leaders will include federal agency perspectives; harbor safety committee best management practices, challenges, and solutions for managing congested waterways, emergency response, and reducing waterway incidents; and the future of maritime safety in the nation’s largest petrochemical complex.
Don’t just check the regulatory box. Come hear from expert exercise practitioners on how to design, conduct, and evaluate an effective exercise that truly informs and trains your personnel while testing and validating important plans, policies, and procedures.
Make your way to the Beer Garden in the exhibit hall for games, snacks, and a cold drink with your fellow attendees! It’s a fantastic opportunity to connect while having some fun.
Early morning March 26, 2024 the MV DALI, an outbound containership, allided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing the bridge to collapse on the vessel’s bow and into the waterway. This “Incident of National Significance” has understandably captured the world’s attention and came with unique challenges due to its complexity, political climate, and uncommon Incident Command System (ICS) organizational structure.
This session will include the perspectives and insights directly from the Unified Command leads.
Organized by Spill Control Association of America (SCAA)
As the dust settles on the final hazardous substances rule, we will explore timelines and the types of materials that may be released, as well as explore what may be appropriate from a planning perspective. We will also discuss potential prevention activities and potential response strategies. We will explore EPA’s plans to produce tools for planning as well.
A panel of experts will be led through a facilitated session designed to educate and engage the audience about the various elements, challenges and considerations to this important topic followed by Q&A.
Organized by the American Salvage Association (ASA)
This session will focus on the state of the U.S. marine salvage and firefighting industry and include presentations by current, past, and future Presidents of the American Salvage Association. Topics will include industry challenges from megaships to alternative fuels, recent case studies and lessons learned including lithium battery/car carrier incidents, subsea oil recovery operations and large-scale shipwreck removals, and regulatory and policy issues with a discussion on the future of the marine casualty response industry.
Personnel who fill positions in the ICS have the ultimate responsibility to ensure the safety and security of the public, responders, and the environment when an incident occurs. Whether you are in the public or private sector, we have an obligation to the stakeholders that have entrusted this obligation to us. One of the ways in which we meet this commitment is by ensuring that the personnel that fill these roles have the proper training and skill set to perform their assigned tasks. This session will explore how we can accomplish this task. We will look at the standards set at the state and federal level as well as best practices within the oil & gas industry.
With a decrease in spill events leading to less hands-on response experience, to reduced funding and crushing regulations, the challenges facing OSRO’s continues to evolve. This session will begin with a “Status of the Industry” for OSRO’s and Operators. It will be followed by a panel discussion on how the response community is navigating modern challenges to maintain legacy services.
Marine casualty and oil spill response operations are often dynamic, complex, and stressful events involving myriad stakeholders. The Maritime Case Study Panel will present a number of response case studies with unique challenges; from rogue, substandard tank vessels operating in violation of US sanctions, to an abandoned, capsized tank barge in Tobago that created a major government-funded oil spill and salvage operation, to the complexities of managing invasive species and permitting during oil spill response operations.
This session will provide a review of OSHA’s Emergency Response Standard 1910.156 followed by a Question & Answer session with the speakers and two added panelists. Come prepared to learn and get your questions answered.
What are the different processes within incident command? How can your teams be trained in this process? The speakers in this session will not only answer these questions but also cover important topics such as tactical planning and pitfalls, working through the approval process, and establishing and preparing for Unified Command (UC). Join these experts as they delve into these topics and uncover the answers.