IOSC 2024 Technical Demonstration

Past, Present and Future – The Evolution of Oil Spill Response

On Wednesday, May 15, 2024, the International Oil Spill Conference (IOSC) will host a guided tour on the mechanics of oil spill response and the various countermeasures and strategies that are used by the industry and government to clean up a spill.  Explore examples of past, present, and future technologies to illustrate the continuous evolution of oil spill response tactics and technologies.

The facilitated tours progress through eight different stations on the Exhibit Floor, each featuring state-of-the-art oil spill technology and spill response best practices.  At each station, guests will view short presentations by some of the most influential and knowledgeable engineers, scientists, and spill responders in the world. Each presentation will showcase live and simulated demonstrations, video footage, and photo stills of the equipment in use.

Throughout the tour, guests will see how spill responses were done in the past and how current technologies have vastly improved the effectiveness of spill response to reduce environmental impacts today.

Each station will have a specific focus and address the following:

1. Visitor Check-In
2. Incident command and communications
3. Remote Sensing: Using sensors to detect
   and track spilled oil
4. Command and Collection: Different types
   of skimmers to collect oil and systems to store it
5. Mechanical Recovery: Different types of
   boom to help collect oil
6. Dispersants: Dispersing oil into the water column
7. In Situ Burn: Burning crude oil and use of herders
8. Source Control: Controlling and securing
   the source of an oil spill

The 2024 IOSC will take place May 13-16, 2024 at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Held once every three years, this conference provides a vital forum for the international response community, private sector, government, and non-governmental organizations to tackle the greatest challenges facing us today and in the future, with sound science, practical innovation, social engineering, and imagination.