Services > Oil Spill Response > Case Study: Egyptian National Oil Spill Response Network

Background

The first Egyptian National Oil Spill Contingency Plan (NOSCP) was prepared by the Petroleum Sector in 1986. At that time, the Ministry of Maritime Transport (MMT) was designated as lead Agency. After Egypt’s ratification of OPRC 90 Responsibility for oil spill response and the NOSCP passed to the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) in 1994 with the promulgation of the new Law for the Environment (Law No. 4 of 1994).

Legislation

Egypt already has signed almost all of the IMO Conventions including MARPOL  73/78 and the OPRC 90. In compliance with the latter: — Two regional conventions, namely: Jeddah Convention with the States of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Barcelona Convention with the States bordering the Mediterranean sea. Egypt has signed Two Sub Regional Agreements: Mediterranean Trilateral Agreement and Sub Regional Contingency Plan. Upper Aqaba Trilateral Agreement and Sub Regional Contingency Plan.

National Stakeholders

Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) PLA - Replaced by Egyptian Marine Safety Agency Suez Canal Authority (SCA) Port Authorities in Egypt General Egyptian Organization for the Protection of the Coast Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) General Department of Surface Water and Environmental Police Tourism Development Authority Other agencies designated by a Prime Ministerial Decree

EGPC Response Centres

During the Early 1990’s Egypt’s state owned oil company EGPC established four pollution response centres in: Alexandria, Suez, Ras Gharib and Hurghada. The centres were equipped with state-of-the-art response equipment and personnel, managed by national oil companies.

EGPC Oil Spill Response Study (2000)

Oil Sector Contingency Plan based on tier response; however, not well functioning. Tier-2 system operating independent of network. Response equipment had deteriorated in operational capability. Training was outdated (No capacity building). Competence of centre staff had declined. Management procedures hampered activation and integration (Limited cooperation). Exercise programs limited in scope (Outdated). Tier-1 status at varying levels throughout the Oil & Gas sector and maritime sector. Sole reliance at Tier-2 level on EGPC centre’s.

International Joint Venture

It was concluded that the best option to enhance government and industry cooperation would be the establishment of a public and private sector joint venture. The expectations of the joint venture were outlined by EGPC

EGPC Joint Venture

EGPC signed the JV in December 2002. The JV - PESCo, took over the management of the Centers January 2003

Actions Taken: 2003-2007

Public/Private Partnership Setup; Manning and training (IMO – OPRC Model); Upgrading combat equipment of existing OSR Centres; Marine support for the Red Sea and the Mediterranean; Professional personnel (Job analysis, Job description and career track); Annual national oil spill exercise program initiated; Assistance made available to Tier 1 participants; Credible response available for Tier 2/3 spills and incidents; Regional associations developed; International support enhanced and continuing.

EEAA Response Centre

During the late 1990s and early 2000, through European Union funding EEAA established a multi-million dollar Tier-2 Oil Spill Response Cenre at Sharm El-Sheikh. Due to the success with EGPC response centers management PESCo was awarded the internationally tendered contract for the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) Contract in May 2003.

National Response Network (NRN)

Under the management of JV - PESCo, the centres are now networked and controlled through a centralised management team in Cairo. All personnel from central command in Cairo and the centres operate under the PESCo Incident Command System, each with varying functions to provide a credible National Response Team ‘NRT”. The ‘NRT” is activated in all incidents outside the centres' capability or in incidents of possible escalation.

Benefits of The National Response Network (NRN)

Each centre has an activation code which is used to exclusively manage any incident through the notification, assessment, response, and termination process. The codes simplify the decision making elements. EEAA has made every effort to minimize barriers and the bureaucracy which so often militates against free discussion and timely decision-taking during emergency response.

Support Organizations

In Egypt, there are various coordination groups in existence to promote cooperation related to pollution prevention, preparedness and response. PESCo established a solid working relationship between these support organizations and the National Response Network of Egypt.

National Pollution Response Club of Egypt (NPRC)

In order to establish a formal cooperation link between the petroleum, maritime sector and government authorities a National Pollution Response Club “NPRC” was established in 2003. With the membership of companies , organizations and agencies from all sectors the “NPRC” is the catalyst to streamline existing efforts. The objectives of the NPRC are:

National Exercises Program

All National exercises are designed, developed and executed by exercise steering committees “ESC”. Members of the ESC come from the petroleum and maritime sector together with government agencies and scientific institutions. Scenarios are developed to meet the objectives of the exercise as laid down by the steering committee. Each scenario is a realistic version of true incidents. Exercises held: Ra-Atum I: Soukhna , Gulf of Suez (2001) Ra-Atum II: Sha'ab Ali , Gulf of Suez (2002) Ra-Atum III: Abu Quir, Alexandria (2003) Ra-Atum IV: Sedi Kerir, Alexandria (2004) Ra-Atum V: Sharm El Sheikh (June 2005) Ra-Atum VI: Port Said (September 2007) Lessons learned from the Egyptian Ra-Atum Oil Spill Response Exercise Series are continually developed into action plans for the enhancement of the Egyptian response mechanism.

International Recognition

During 2003, through a navigational working group in Hurghada, the IMO (International Maritime Organization) recommended that all states review the Egyptian model as a possible solution to developing, sustaining and integrating oil spill response capabilities. Today, the following has been noted by international experts as to the developments in the Egyptian Oil Spill Prepardness and Response infrastructure: Egyptian response capability is fully networked. Tier-1 response capability constantly improving through joint training and exercising. Contingency Plans now developed in-country. Full-Participation between the national responder and Geographical Committees. Increased participation in the National Pollution Response Club. International recognition is constantly developing. Egypt has built recognized local expertise in oil spill response and prepardness.

For more information about our services, please contact us using any of the following methods: Online contact form or E-mail Us