PROJECT

COURSE CODE : DDWT 2323

COURSE NAME : REFINERY AND PETROCHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY
YEAR / PROGRAM : 2 DDWT
SEMESTER & SESSION : SEMESTER 2 SESSION 2022/2023
DURATION : 2 WEEKS
DATE : 10 MAC 2023
LECTURER’S NAME : MUHAMMAD RIDZUAN KAMARUZAMAN

STUDENT’S NAME : i. HARITH MURSYID BIN MD ZAINUDDIN

ii. AQMAL WAFIY BIN MOHD HELMY
iii. NUR NAJIHAH BINTI AL-ZAHARI

Bloom
Weighting Marks
Question CLO (s) PLO (s) Taxonomy and
Marks (%) Received
Generic Skills
CLO3 PLO10 A3
Q1 20
CLO4 PLO9 TW4

Total Marks 20
TITLE : Issue of Oil Spillage

ABSTRACT :

Oil spillage is a major environmental issue caused by the release of crude oil or refined
petroleum products into the environment due to human activities such as offshore drilling,
pipeline transportation, or tanker accidents. The immediate impacts of oil spills include physical
contamination of water, soil, and air, harm to wildlife, health effects for humans, and economic
impacts on local communities. Prevention measures such as improved safety standards,
monitoring, and inspection of pipelines and tankers, and stricter regulations are essential. Quick
and effective response strategies such as containment booms, skimmers, chemical dispersants,
and cleaning up affected areas can minimize the damage caused by oil spills. The long-term
impact of oil spills on the environment and the communities affected by them is significant and
requires sustained efforts to mitigate their effects.

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Spillage of oil from exploration activities in the many parts of the world has led to massive
environmental degradation in the past decades. Such problems include contamination of water
bodies, danger to aquatic life, destruction of flora and farmlands which includes resort centres,
destruction of properties, loss of lives and many more. In addition, oil spillage impacts to the
environment can lead to unwanted migration of people from the areas. Oil refineries are major
polluters, consuming large amounts of energy and water, producing large quantities of waste
waters, releasing hazardous gases into atmosphere and generating solid waste that are difficult
both to treat and to dispose of. In term of the oil spill impact on ground water quality, it is seen
in water contamination due to effluent, wash water and cooling water discharges, water
contamination due to discharges water effluents rich inorganic salts without appropriate
treatment.
1.1 OBJECTIVES :

The objectives of addressing the issue of oil spillage include :

1. Prevention: To implement measures to prevent oil spills from occurring in the first
place. This can be achieved through improved safety standards, stricter regulations, and
better monitoring and inspection of pipelines and tankers.

2. Response: To have quick and effective response strategies in place to minimize the
damage caused by oil spills. This includes measures such as containment booms,
skimmers, chemical dispersants, and cleaning up affected areas.

3. Restoration: To restore affected areas to their pre-spill condition as much as possible.

This includes efforts to clean up the environment and mitigate the long-term impacts of
the spill on the ecosystem and affected communities.

4. Research and Development: To conduct research and develop new technologies and
strategies to improve prevention, response, and restoration efforts related to oil spills.

5. Awareness and Education: To raise public awareness about the impact of oil spills on the
environment and the communities affected by them. This includes educating people
about the causes of oil spills, their consequences, and ways to prevent and respond to
them.

2.0 DISCUSSION

1. What is the relationship between oil spillage and environmental effect?

• Oil spills have a major and frequently harmful impact on the environment. When
crude oil or refined petroleum products are released into the environment, they
may damage wildlife, have adverse effects on human health, and have a negative
economic impact on the nearby towns. They may also physically contaminate the
water, soil, and air. The quantity and type of oil, the location, the weather, and
the response efforts are some examples of variables that affect how much of an
impact there is on the environment. Effective prevention and response measures
are required to minimise the effects of oil spills because they can have long-term
implications on the ecosystem and the communities they affect.
2. What are the various causes of oil spill occurrences?

• Human Error: Oil spills may occur as a result of errors made by individuals using
or maintaining machinery used in the production, transportation, or storage of oil.
Examples include oil well blowouts, ship mishaps, and pipeline breaches.

• Natural Disasters: Oil spills can be brought on by natural disasters like

hurricanes, earthquakes, and tsunamis that damage oil infrastructure or cause oil-
containment vessels to capsize or break.

• Sabotage and Terrorism: Intentional acts of sabotage or terrorism can result in oil
spills. For example, terrorists may attack oil infrastructure or vessels, or
individuals may vandalize pipelines.

• Equipment Failure: Aging equipment or equipment that is not properly

maintained can fail and result in oil spills. Examples include leaks from corroded
pipes or valves that fail to close.

• Illegal Dumping: Individuals or companies may illegally dump oil waste into
waterways or on land, which can lead to oil spills and environmental damage.

Overall, oil spill occurrences are often the result of multiple factors, and
preventing them requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses these
underlying causes.

3. What are the impacts of oil spillage?

Oil spillage can have significant impacts on the environment, wildlife, human health,
and local communities. Some of the main impacts include:

• Physical contamination of water, soil, and air: Oil spills can pollute waterways,
contaminate soil, and release harmful chemicals into the air, leading to
environmental damage.

• Harm to wildlife: Oil spills can harm and kill wildlife, including fish, birds, and
marine mammals, through physical contact or ingestion of oil.

• Health effects for humans: Exposure to oil and chemicals used to clean up oil
spills can have negative health effects on humans, including respiratory
problems, skin irritation, and other health problems.

• Economic impacts: Oil spills can have significant economic impacts on local
communities, including loss of tourism and commercial fishing revenue,
decreased property values, and increased cleanup costs.

• Long-term environmental impacts: Oil spills can have long-lasting effects on the
environment, including damage to habitats and ecosystems, reduced biodiversity,
and changes to the food chain.
4. What are the remediation techniques in controlling oil spillage?

• Containment booms: These are floating barriers that are placed around oil
spills to contain and limit their spread.

• Skimmers: These are devices that can remove oil from the water's surface using
mechanical or suction methods.

• Chemical dispersants: These are chemicals that break up the oil into smaller
droplets, which can then be more easily degraded by natural processes.

• In situ burning: This involves igniting the oil on the surface of the water to
burn off the oil, leaving behind less toxic ash.

• Bioremediation: This technique involves using naturally occurring

microorganisms to break down the oil and remove it from the environment.

• Physical cleanup: This involves manually removing oil from the environment,
including using absorbent materials or vacuum trucks to clean up oil-
contaminated soil and water.

The most effective remediation technique depends on the type and amount
of oil spilled, as well as the location and environmental conditions. Successful
oil spill response efforts often involve a combination of techniques to contain,
remove, and mitigate the environmental impacts of the spill.

5. What are the recommendations that will help in controlling oil spillage?

• Investing in preventative measures: This includes regular maintenance of oil

production, transportation, and storage infrastructure to reduce the likelihood
of equipment failure, as well as implementing safety protocols and training for
workers.

• Improving spill response capabilities: This includes developing and testing

response plans, investing in spill response equipment and personnel training,
and improving communication and coordination between response agencies.

• Increasing regulations and enforcement: This includes stricter regulations on

oil production, transportation, and storage, as well as increased enforcement of
existing regulations to ensure compliance.

• Promoting alternative energy sources: Reducing our reliance on fossil fuels

can help reduce the frequency and severity of oil spills.

• Promoting public awareness and education: Educating the public about the
impacts of oil spills and how they can help prevent them can encourage more
responsible behavior and increase support for spill prevention and response
efforts.

controlling oil spillage requires a comprehensive approach that includes

preventative measures, effective spill response capabilities, regulations and
enforcement, promotion of alternative energy sources, and public awareness
and education.
3.0 CONCLUSSION

In conclusion, oil spillage is a significant environmental problem that can have severe
impacts on wildlife, human health, and local economies. Oil spills can occur for a variety of
reasons, including human error, natural disasters, and equipment failure, and preventing them
requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses these underlying causes. In the event of a spill,
effective response efforts are essential to contain and mitigate the environmental impacts.
Various remediation techniques, such as containment booms, skimmers, chemical dispersants,
and bioremediation, can be used to clean up oil spills. However, the most effective strategy for
controlling oil spillage is to invest in preventative measures, improve spill response capabilities,
increase regulations and enforcement, promote alternative energy sources, and educate the
public about the importance of responsible behavior. Overall, a comprehensive approach that
addresses the various causes and impacts of oil spillage is necessary to protect our environment,
wildlife, and communities.