Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Response & Cleanup





Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Response & Cleanup

Slide 1

Statistics say that the Exxon Valdez tanker disaster in 1989, it was the worst in terms of the amount of oil spilled. Even so, its consequences were catastrophic. Occurring in the midst of a paradise of wildlife in Alaska, placed at the center of world attention. Almost two decades of that unfortunate episode, the scene of the incident remains a lost paradise and, for now, unrecoverable.

As explained above, the spill "Exxon Valdez" was the worst in terms of the amount of oil spilled, and caused serious environmental damage. To give you an idea, this catastrophe spilled 38,800 tons of oil, while the Gulf of Mexico by British Petroleum last year, spilled 700,000 tons (18 times more).

Slide 2

The Coast Guard learned about the oil spill after half an hour and stopped the traffic along the shore.

Due to communication and coordination problems, lack of necessary equipments, and unpreparedness to tackle an oil spill of such magnitude, they authorities missed the chance to respond to the alarming situation, which could have provided to contain the spill early on before spreading.

Both Exxon and Alyeska drew severe criticism for their ineffectiveness to respond to the situation.

Alyeska sent an observation tug to remove people from the tanker, but no containment equipment was present. A barge that that was supposed to carry such equipment was damaged and waiting for repair. The barge moved to equipment to the Valdez well over after 14 hours.

Due to the severe weather conditions, the lack of proper equipment and the inability of Exxon and Alyeska to respond to a situation of such magnitude, the oil slick went of out control and all the dispersant tests failed.

Alyeska failed to fulfill its commitments that were made. The consequences ...