Oil spill tracking and monitoring
Tracking where a spill is and where it is heading, so response teams know where to act.
When oil reaches the water, the first questions are always the same: where is it now, where is it going and what will it reach? Geomarins provides oil spill tracking and monitoring that answers those questions with measured currents and winds, positioning and mapping, so response teams can act in the right place.
Tracking a spill
- Mapping the extent of the slick from field observations, aerial and satellite imagery
- Deploying GPS drifters that move with the surface water and report their position
- Measuring currents, winds and tides at the site
- Recording sample locations and observations with accurate positions
Forecasting where it will go
Oil on the sea surface moves with the current and is pushed by the wind. Using measured and forecast metocean data, we estimate the spill's likely path and timing, showing which coastlines, mangroves, intakes and fishing grounds are at risk. Forecasts are updated as new observations arrive, so the picture stays current.
Monitoring over time
After the first response, spills need monitoring: how the oil weathers, where it settles and how affected areas recover. We carry out repeat surveys and keep a mapped record of the spill and the response that supports reporting to regulators such as the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA).
Preparing before a spill
The best response is planned in advance. Our metocean data and analysis services can describe the typical currents and winds at a facility, helping you build realistic spill scenarios into your contingency plan and decide where response equipment should be placed.
Where we work
Spills can happen offshore, along the coast, in creeks and in the mangrove swamps of the Niger Delta. We plan tracking and monitoring for each of these settings, from open sea to inland waterways.
What you get
- Mapped extent of the spill from field and remote observations
- GPS drifter deployment and tracking
- Measured currents and winds at the site
- Trajectory estimates showing areas at risk
- Repeat monitoring surveys and a mapped record for reporting
Frequently asked questions
How quickly can tracking start?
Contact us as soon as a spill is reported. Early observations and drifter deployment give the most useful picture of where oil is heading.
Can you help with spill contingency planning?
Yes. Using metocean data for your facility, we can describe typical currents and winds and help build realistic spill scenarios into your plan.