Fire Safety Science Digital Archive

A series of laboratory tests were carried out to determine the potential for ignition and sustained burning of spilled oil at sea resulting from ignition sources on an offshore platform. The variables considered were; ignition source type and strength, oil types, spilled oil behavior and environmental conditions. This study assessed the effects of variations in fuel properties, oil slick thickness and wind conditions. The current state of knowledge was assessed through various phases of the project. The conclusion and assessment of the ignitability of crude oil spilled at sea are considered in light of these laboratory experiments, as well as of finding from previous field and laboratory experiments in the area of oil spill response