The Prestige Oil Tanker Disaster & Oil Spill (Documentary) / Prestige Tanker Kazası

Mavi Deniz A.S
1 Jul 201816:22

Summary

TLDRThe 2002 sinking of the Prestige tanker off Spain led to a significant oil spill, prompting an ambitious recovery operation. Despite the extreme depths of up to 4,000 meters, the Spanish government successfully extracted over 90% of the remaining 13,000 tons of fuel oil using modified ROVs and innovative techniques. This groundbreaking project, completed without environmental impact or accidents, demonstrated the feasibility of deep-sea oil recovery, showcasing advanced technologies and meticulous planning to mitigate pollution risks.

Takeaways

  • 🚢 The tanker Prestige began to spill its cargo of 77,000 tons of fuel oil on November 13, 2002, off the northwest coast of Spain.
  • ⚓ After sinking on November 19, 2002, the wreck was located at depths of up to 3,800 meters, presenting significant recovery challenges.
  • 🌊 The Spanish government launched an ambitious project to extract the remaining oil from the wreck to prevent further pollution.
  • 🔧 The Innovator ROV was modified to operate at 4,000 meters depth, overcoming limitations of existing deep-sea technology.
  • 🛠️ Key technical challenges included the high viscosity of the oil and the need for specialized equipment for extraction.
  • 📏 An innovative oil measurement analysis estimated that approximately 13,000 tons of oil remained in the bow of the wreck.
  • 💧 A dedicated water injection system was developed to facilitate safe oil extraction by replacing escaping oil with water.
  • 🚀 Shuttles designed for oil transport were deployed, featuring ROV-operated doors for efficient oil flow from the wreck.
  • 🔄 The core flow method was employed to discharge oil, using water as a lubricant to manage the viscous oil's flow.
  • ✅ The recovery operation was completed successfully with over 90% of the oil extracted, demonstrating feasibility and environmental safety.

Q & A

  • What event initiated the salvage operation of the Prestige?

    -The salvage operation was initiated after the single-hull tanker Prestige began to spill its cargo of 77,000 tons of fuel oil when it sank during a storm on November 19, 2002.

  • What was the depth at which the Prestige sank?

    -The Prestige sank at a depth of approximately 3,800 meters for the bow and 3,565 meters for the stern.

  • What challenges did the salvage project face?

    -The main challenges included the extreme water depth, the viscosity of the oil (5,000,000 centistokes), and the need for advanced equipment to operate at such depths.

  • Which vehicle was primarily used for the recovery operations?

    -The Innovator, a 150 horsepower remotely operated vehicle (ROV), was the primary vehicle used for the recovery operations.

  • How was the Innovator modified for the salvage project?

    -The Innovator was modified to operate continuously at 4,000 meters, including changes to its buoyancy elements, manipulators, and camera systems.

  • What was the role of the Polar Prince in the operation?

    -The Polar Prince was a multi-purpose DP 2 class vessel that deployed up to three Innovator ROVs simultaneously for the salvage operations.

  • What innovative method was used for oil measurement analysis?

    -A specially adapted downhole logging equipment was utilized for oil measurement analysis, estimating that 13,000 tons of fuel oil remained in the bow section.

  • Describe the core flow technique used during oil recovery.

    -The core flow technique involved pumping water into the riser to create a sheath around the oil, allowing it to flow more easily through the riser to the surface.

  • What safety features were included in the extraction valves?

    -The extraction valves were designed with failsafe systems, including double gate mechanisms to prevent spills during the extraction process.

  • What was the outcome of the oil recovery operation?

    -The operation successfully recovered over 90% of the oil without any environmental pollution or accidents, demonstrating the feasibility of deep-sea oil recovery.

Outlines

plate

Esta sección está disponible solo para usuarios con suscripción. Por favor, mejora tu plan para acceder a esta parte.

Mejorar ahora

Mindmap

plate

Esta sección está disponible solo para usuarios con suscripción. Por favor, mejora tu plan para acceder a esta parte.

Mejorar ahora

Keywords

plate

Esta sección está disponible solo para usuarios con suscripción. Por favor, mejora tu plan para acceder a esta parte.

Mejorar ahora

Highlights

plate

Esta sección está disponible solo para usuarios con suscripción. Por favor, mejora tu plan para acceder a esta parte.

Mejorar ahora

Transcripts

plate

Esta sección está disponible solo para usuarios con suscripción. Por favor, mejora tu plan para acceder a esta parte.

Mejorar ahora
Rate This

5.0 / 5 (0 votes)

Etiquetas Relacionadas
Oil RecoveryMarine SalvageEnvironmental ImpactDeep-Sea TechnologySpainPrestige TankerSalvage OperationsEngineering InnovationMarine Safety2002 IncidentROV Operations
¿Necesitas un resumen en inglés?