What Are Some Constructional Ways That Are Used to Prevent Oil Spills?

Oil is an integral component in current industrial society, providing the bulk of the world's fuel used in transportation, manufacturing and other industry. Along with its benefits, oil poses significant dangers if released into the environment. Contamination of water, destruction of habitats, fires and other destructive events can take place in the event of an oil spill. Fortunately, many safeguards have been put in place to reduce or prevent the impacts of oil spills.

Blowout Preventers

• Blowout preventers, also called BOPs, are covers that prevent pressurized oil from escaping underground deposits at unmanageable levels when a new deposit is tapped. In case of failure, most drilling rigs have multiple BOPs to provide backup. Ram BOPs are one type of preventer in which both halves of a cover snap together to seal the wellhead when sensors detect a pressure spike. Annular BOPs are large, rubber, donut-shaped seals that are squeezed inward to close tightly around a well pipe.

Double Hulls

• Double hulls are built into all new oil tankers that operate within U.S. waters. If the outer hull is punctured during a collision, the inner hull provides an additional layer of containment and protection, preventing the oil within from contaminating marine environments.

Redundant Systems

• Oil tankers are also equipped with duplicate systems to provide control if the primary control system is compromised. Backup GPSs (Global Positioning Systems), engine rooms, rudders and propellers are all examples of redundant systems. In addition to safety from breakdowns, redundant steering and propulsion systems offer fully functioning ships increased maneuverability, allowing for tighter turns and faster stops.

Overfill Sensors

• At oil refineries, overfill sensors are attached inside the roof of an oil storage or transfer tank. These sensors identify levels of oil and trigger an automated shut-off valve to prevent overfilling and spillage into the surrounding environment.

Self-Adjusting Cargo Connections

• Marine refineries and terminals use self-adjusting connections to adjust to the movement of a docked oil tanker floating on the water. These connectors move with the ship, in either vertical or horizontal directions, which eliminates stress that would otherwise compromise the connection point and potentially break it, spilling oil into the surrounding environment.