Fig.1. The new oil spill sampling kit developed by SINTEF

When an oil spill occurs or has been discovered at sea, it is important to take samples for documenting the spilled oil e.g.:

• for identifying the source of unknown spills (based on diagnostic oil spill fingerprinting analysis)
• for performing physico-chemical characterization of the surface oil / emulsion (e.g. viscosity, water content of the emulsion, dispersant effectiveness etc.) that are relevant for decision-making during oil spill response operations.

To take reliable samples in the marine environment for such purposes is often crucial. SINTEF has therefore developed a new sampling kit that is customized for taking good quality samples both at sea and on oily beaches (see Fig. 1 to the right).

The equipment is easy to use, and user-friendly instructions (sampling procedures) are enclosed for:

• sampling of thin oil films (sheen) at sea
• sampling and handling of thick oil /emulsion at sea
• sampling and handling of high viscous oils, globules and tarballs
• sampling of oil on beaches
• sampling from oil contaminated birds/ animals

To maintain the “chain of custody”, procedures for sample labeling, packing and shipment to the laboratory are included. The equipment in the sampling kit is in accordance with the recommendations given in the coming guidelines from the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) for sampling of petroleum and petroleum products spilled into the marine of aquatic environment.

Fig. 2. Oil spill personnel from oil companies and governmental agencies participating in training course arranged by SINTEF and NOFO in how to take samples of oil spilled in the marine or aquatic environment.

SINTEF has in cooperation with NOFO, oil companies and the Norwegian Coastal Administration performed training courses for using the sampling kit (see Fig. 2)

Sampling kits have now been purchased by response organizations (e.g. NOFO) for use on their oil spill response vessels, oil companies have installed the kit on several platforms, refineries and oil terminals, and both the governmental oil spill response agencies (the Norwegian Coastal Administration) and local municipalities (IUA) have bought the sampling kit.

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