In-situ Burning

In-situ burning is an oil spill response technique or tool that involves the controlled ignition and burning of oil at or near the spill site on the surface of the water.

While PWSRCAC acknowledges that in-situ burning may be useful in high latitude waters where other techniques may not be possible due to the physical environment (extreme low temperatures and pack ice conditions), or the remoteness of the impacted area, we favor mechanical recovery as the primary response strategy for oil spills in Prince William Sound.

Generally, to achieve conditions for in-situ burning, oil must first be contained with boom or by barriers such as ice or remote shorelines and the slick thick enough (2-3 mm) to insulate itself from the underlying water. However, if the oil is contained with boom, it can then instead be removed by mechanical means under any weather conditions compatible with booming operations.

Learn more about the council’s position on in-situ burning. (pdf/78KB)

In Situ Burning of Oil Spills: Resource Collection. Volume 2. References (link)

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