Mr. Erik Milito - The House Committee on Natural Resources ...

38 API RECOMMENDED PRACTICE 51R
Operators should evaluate the potential for spills and damages and use this information to determine the type and
size of primary and secondary containment necessary.
<strong>The</strong> type and footage of containment boom installed or stored for deployment will vary with the type, size, and
location of the facility and spill potential. This information should be developed for each main area or facility and be
stated in the facility contingency plan. In addition, the contingency plan should list where emergency equipment is
located.
<strong>The</strong> contingency plan should state the type(s) of chemicals that can be used effectively and list sources and
procedures for applying these chemicals. Spill response drills/simulations should be considered, with regulatory
agency and contractor personnel participating.
8.7.6 Cleanup
Cleanup procedures should be developed and included in the facility contingency plan. Up-to-date lists of effective
cleanup materials and equipment and a list of potential contractors who can supply needed assistance should also
be included and maintained in the contingency plan.
Depending on the spill potential at each area, a stock of appropriate cleanup materials sufficient to handle small
spills should be maintained on hand at all times. <strong>The</strong> amount of cleanup material will depend on the time required to
obtain more material if the size of the spill should increase.
<strong>The</strong> following suggested cleanup practices should be considered.
a) Using cleanup materials and equipment on hand, immediate action should be taken to clean up any spilled oil or
other substance. Depending on the substance spilled, personnel performing and supervising cleanup operations
may require specific training.
b) Advance planning and arrangements should include availability and ready access to vacuum trucks and to
similar pickup equipment to recover the spilled material.
c) Necessary approvals should be obtained before disposal of spill cleanup materials.
d) Advance arrangements should be made for rights of ingress and egress to public and private property that may
be affected by a spill or the ensuing cleanup operation.
e) Landowners should also be notified of spills and kept informed of spill cleanup progress.
f) Plans, procedures, and programs should be improved and updated by analyzing previous spill incidents.
Prevention, control and containment, and cleanup procedures should be revised accordingly to make them more
effective for future responses.
8.8 Environmental Assessment Before Purchase or Sale of Existing Fields and Leases
Before the purchase or sale of an existing field or lease, consideration should be given to documenting the
environmental condition of that property. By documenting the presence or absence of surface, subsurface, or