Oil Spill Response Limited (OSRL), on behalf its Subsea Well Intervention Services (SWIS) members (which include BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Exxonmobil, Equinor, Petrobras, Shell, and Total) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a licence with Maritech Services Ltd (Maritech) for the provision of an offshore emergency response software tool: Sea/response.

Sea/response uses its patented technology to identify emergency vessels and equipment most suitable for and closest to a well or drill location. In the event of an offshore emergency, Sea/response will enhance energy company operational preparedness whilst aiming to reduce environmental damage and meet the needs of regulators.

Maritech worked with OSRL and their SWIS members to tailor certain specifications of Sea/response to meet the members’ multi-mission requirements covering Capping & Containment, Offset Installation Equipment (OIE), and Relief Well Drilling.

Maritech is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Clarkson plc.

Andrew Worrall, Senior Technical Specialist, BP Capping and Containment, said: “This is a great example of OSRL recognising an opportunity to increase their service level for subscribers. The Sea/response portal’s use of intelligent data not only facilitates significant reductions in incident response times, but also allows for real-time monitoring of mutual aid vessel availability, particularly in remote locations, giving operators visibility of any emerging risks and allowing them to react accordingly.”

Chris Lund, SWIS Technical Manager added: “I’m pleased to see how the combination of the Sea/response software and the various Source Control Mission Plans found in the SWRP Capping & Containment Guidelines, available only to the SWIS subscribers, have created such a valuable tool to the industry – ensuring that operators have a full insight of the vessels of opportunity in the region during preparedness planning and response situations. This tool is now available to the industry and may significantly reduce response times when every minute counts, and the number one priority is to stop the release of hydrocarbons to the environment as quickly as possible.”   

Sea/response spokesperson, Paul Love, adds: “We are delighted to have secured OSRL’s SWIS members as users of Sea/response.  As a collective, OSRL includes over 40 individual energy companies and to have their SWIS members on board with Sea/response really demonstrates the value that technology can bring to emergency situations and the shipping industry generally. It provides us with great confidence for the adoption of future technology releases that we bring to the market.”