The Observer, July 2005
Conference focuses on worldwide oil-spill issues
The triennial International Oil Spill Conference is a gathering of companies, regulators and vendors focused on preventing and responding to oil spills. This year’s conference, with the theme “Prevention, Preparedness, Response and Restoration: Raising Global Standards,” was held May 15-19.
The event runs on two main tracks. One is technical. Dozens of experts present papers and poster sessions on oil-spill issues. Topics this year included cold-region response, spill modeling, mechanical response, dispersants effectiveness, and net environmental benefit analysis. The other track is commercial. Approximately 150 exhibitors set up at the Miami Beach Convention Center to show products and provide information related to oil spill prevention and response.
Several companies involved in the Valdez oil trade participated, including ConocoPhillips, Alyeska Pipeline Service Co., and ExxonMobil.
As usual, several people from our council attended. Some were involved in panel discussions or presentations, while others staffed the council information booth in the exhibit hall. The citizens’ council for Cook Inlet also had a booth at the conference.
The event was formerly held once every two years; the next conference, in 2008, will be the first under the new triennial schedule.
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| Left, some 150 exhibitors set up displays at the convention. The council booth is just visible in the lower left corner of this shot. Right,, John Devens and Marilyn Leland of the council staff chat with visitors to the booth. Photos by Stan Jones. | |