'.
INTERNATIONAL OIL POLLUTION COMPENSATION FUND
FONDS INTERNATIONAL D'INDEMNISATION POUR LES DOMMAGES
DUS A LA POLLUTION PAR LES HYDROCARBURES
- 4th session
Agenda i t e m 1 4
FUND/A. 4 / i 1
ASSEMBLY
1 5 J u l y 1981
Original:
ENGLISH
D E F I N I T I O N OF THE TERM "PERSISTENT O I L "
( A r t i c l e 1 . 5 of t h e CLC)
Note by t h e Director
1.
as
The t e r m " o i l " i s d e f i n e d i n A r t i c l e 1 . 5 of t h e CLC
'I...
any p e r s i s t e n t o i l s u c h as c r u d e o i l , f u e l o i l ,
heavy d i e s e l o i l , l u b r i c a t i n g o i l and whale o i l . . . ' I .
A r t i c l e 1 . 2 of t h e Fund Convention r e f e r s t o t h i s d e f i n i t i o n
with t h e proviso t h a t
'I...
' o i l ' s h a l l be c o n f i n e d t o
p e r s i s t e n t hydrocarbon m i n e r a l o i l s " .
2.
The word " p e r s i s t e n t " does n o t have a s c i e n t i f i c
d e f i n i t i o n g e n e r a l l y acknowledged f o r a l l p u r p o s e s .
T h i s is why t h e q u e s t i o n h a s a r i s e n as t o which oils are
c o v e r e d by t h e CLC and t h e Fund Convention and where t o
draw t h e l i n e between " p e r s i s t e n t " and " n o n - p e r s i s t e n t "
oils. T h i s q u e s t i o n has become r e l e v a n t w i t h r e s p e c t t o
s e v e r a l i n c i d e n t s w i t h which t h e I O P C Fund h a s t o d e a l .
T h e r e f o r e , t h e Director h a s a s k e d M r . C . Walder, former
D i r e c t o r of OCIMF, t o p r e p a r e a n o n - t e c h n i c a l g u i d e t o
t h e n a t u r e and d e f i n i t i o n o f p e r s i s t e n t o i l . T h i s
g u i d e h a s a l s o been d i s c u s s e d w i t h e x p e r t s of C R I S T A L ,
I T O P F , O C I M F a n d t h e P & I C l u b s , and some amendments,
a s s u g g e s t e d by t h e s e o r g a n i z a t i o n s , have been i n c o r p o r a t e d .
3.
The Director is aware of t h e f a c t t h a t t h e Assembly
does n o t have t h e a u t h o r i t y t o a d o p t a d e f i n i t i o n of t h e
t e r m " o i l " w i t h t h e same b i n d i n g e f f e c t as t h e Conventions
FUND/A.4/11
- 2 -
themselves. However, it would be of g r e a t a s s i s t a n c e t o
t h e Director i n c a r r y i n g o u t h i s f u n c t i o n s under t h e
Fund Convention i f t h e r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s of C o n t r a c t i n g
S t a t e s c o u l d a g r e e t h a t t h e d e f i n i t i o n of “ p e r s i s t e n t
o i l “ proposed i n t h e annexed g u i d e s h o u l d be t h e one
t o be followed by t h e D i r e c t o r i n d e a l i n g w i t h c l a i m s
made a g a i n s t t h e Fund.
4.
T h e g u i d e i s h e r e w i t h s u b m i t t e d a t t h e Annex f o r
c o n s i d e r a t i o n and p o s s i b l e a d o p t i o n by t h e Assembly.
***
FUND/A.4/11
ANNEX
A NON-TECHNICAL GUIDE TO THE
NATURE AND DEFINITION OF
PERSISTENT OIL
FUND/A.I/11
ANNEX
Page 2
CONTENTS
Page
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
3
FOREWORD
3
GLOSSARY OF TERMS USED AND
DEFINITIONS THEREOF
4
NATURAL MECHANISMS WHICH AFFECT
SPILLED OIL
10
WHAT IS PERSISTENT OIL?
13
IS THERE A MORE PRECISE WAY OF
DEFINING PERSISTENT OIL?
15
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS MOVED BY SEA
20
FUND/A.4/11
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Page 3
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The a s s i s t a n c e of t h e f o l l o w i n g i n s t i t u t i o n s and t h e
i n f o r m a t i o n a v a i l a b l e from t h e i r p u b l i c a t i o n s h a s made a major
c o n t r i b u t i o n t o t h e p r e p a r a t i o n of t h i s g u i d e and i s hereby
g r a t e f u l l y acknowledged.
American Petroleum I n s t i t u t e
American S o c i e t y f o r T e s t i n g and Materials
B r i t i s h Petroleum Co. L t d .
Inter-Governmental Maritime C o n s u l t a t i v e O r g a n i z a t i o n
I n s t i t u t e of Petroleum
I n t e r n a t i o n a l Petroleum I n d u s t r y Environmental C o n s e r v a t i o n
Assocation
I n t e r n a t i o n a l Tanker Owners P o l l u t i o n F e d e r a t i o n L t d .
O i l Companies I n t e r n a t i o n a l Marine Forum
FOREWORD
The I n t e r n a t i o n a l Convention on C i v i l L i a b i l i t y f o r O i l
P o l l u t i o n Damage 1 9 6 9 h o l d s t h e shipowner l i a b l e f o r p o l l u t i o n
damage c a u s e d by p e r s i s t e n t o i l .
However, t h e Convention
does n o t d e f i n e " p e r s i s t e n t o i l " and t h i s h a s l e d t o
c o n s i d e r a b l e d i f f i c u l t i e s i n t h e a p p l i c a t i o n of t h e C i v i l
L i a b i l i t y Convention.
The same d i f f i c u l t y of a p p l i c a t i o n
a l s o a r i s e s w i t h t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l Convention on t h e
E s t a b l i s h m e n t of a n I n t e r n a t i o n a l Fund f o r Compensation
foroil
P o l l u t i o n Damage 1 9 7 1 where v i r t u a l l y t h e same
d e f i n i t i o n is used.
T h i s g u i d e endeavours t o s e t o u t , i n n o n - t e c h n i c a l
language, some p a r a m e t e r s which may e x p l a i n t h e d i s t i n c t i o n
between t h o s e o i l s which are p e r s i s t e n t and t h o s e which are
n o t , and t h e r e b y , f a c i l i t a t e t h e a d m i n i s t r a t i o n o f t h e
1 9 6 9 C i v i l L i a b i l i t y Convention and t h e 1971 Fund Convention.
FUND/A.4/11
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GLOSSARY O F TERMS USED AND D E F I N I T I O N S THEREOF
Aniline point
T h i s i s used a s a p a r a m e t e r i n t h e a n a l y s i s of hydrocarbon
I t i s t h e minimum e q u i l i b r i u m t e m p e r a t u r e f o r e q u a l
mixtures.
volumes of a n i l i n e and t h e sample under t e s t .
API gravity
T h i s i s a measure of t h e d e n s i t y of o i l d e v i s e d by t h e
American Petroleum I n s t i t u t e .
I t i s u s e d world-wide f o r c a t e g o r i s i n g
c r u d e and o t h e r o i l s . The A P I g r a v i t y of an o i l d e c r e a s e s a s i t s
specific gravity increases.
The formula f o r d e t e r m i n i n g API g r a v i t y from s p e c i f i c
g r a v i t y is:
API gravity =
141.5
-
131.5
s p e c i f i c g r a v i t y a t 60/60°F
Aromatics
A r o m a t i c content
Aromatics a r e r i n g c h a i n hydrocarbons s u c h a s benzene,
t o l u e n e and x y l e n e and d e r i v a t i v e s t h e r e o f . Because of t h e i r
s t r u c t u r e t h e y a r e v e r y s t a b l e , r e s i s t d e g r a d a t i o n and break down
i n t o t h e environment more s l o w l y t h a n s t r a i g h t c h a i n p a r a f f i n i c
molecules.
The a r o m a t i c c o n t e n t of an o i l i s t h e p e r c e n t a g e c o n t e n t by
volume of a r o m a t i c hydrocarbons t o t h e t o t a l .
Boiling range
I n i t i a l boiling point
Mid-point
( o r 50% p o i n t )
F i n a l b o i l i n g p o i n t ( o r end p o i n t )
The b o i l i n g r a n g e of a p a r t i c u l a r c u t o r f r a c t i o n is t h e
t e m p e r a t u r e s p r e a d between i n i t i a l and f i n a l b o i l i n g p o i n t s .
I n i t i a l b o i l i n g p o i n t i s t h e o b s e r v e d t e m p e r a t u r e a t which
t h e f i r s t d r o p of t h e material under t e s t d i s t i l s o v e r i n t o t h e
r e c e i v i n g v e s s e l a f t e r h e a t i n g i n t h e o r i g i n a l r e c e p t a c l e and
p a s s i n g through a c o n d e n s e r .
FUND/A.4/11
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Page 5
Mid-point ( o r 50% p o i n t ) i s t h e t e m p e r a t u r e a t which
50% by volume of t h e sample under t e s t r e a c h e s t h e
receiving vessel.
F i n a l b o i l i n g p o i n t ( o r end p o i n t ) i s t h e t e m p e r a t u r e
a t which t h e l a s t d r o p of t h e m a t e r i a l under t e s t e v a p o r a t e s
from t h e o r i g i n a l r e c e p t a c l e .
C a l o r i f i c value
T h i s i s t h e amount of h e a t l i b e r a t e d when a f u e l i s
burned completely under s t a n d a r d t e s t c o n d i t i o n s . Values
a r e r e p o r t e d i n c a l o r i e s p e r gram, megajoules p e r k i l o
(MJ/kilo) o r , i n some c a s e s , a s B r i t i s h t h e r m a l u n i t s
p e r pound of f u e l ( B T U s / l b ) .
Cloud p o i n t
T h i s i s t h e t e m p e r a t u r e below which waxy c r y s t a l s
w i l l form i n an o i l t h e r e b y impeding i t s flow through
narrow o r i f i c e s . T h i s t e s t i s p a r t i c u l a r l y c r i t i c a l
i n t h e case of automotive d i e s e l where formation of
wax c r y s t a l s could block t h e flow of f u e l t o t h e i n j e c t o r s
of a d i e s e l e n g i n e , c a u s i n g i t t o s t a l l .
Cracking
Catalytic crackinq
Steam c r a c k i n g
Catalyst
Catalytic cycle o i l
Cracking i s a r e f i n i n g p r o c e s s whereby l a r g e molecules
of hydrocarbon of a heavy o r waxy f e e d s t o c k can be broken up
by h e a t and p r e s s u r e o r by h e a t i n g i n t h e p r e s e n c e of a
c a t a l y s t t o produce smaller molecules of l i g h t e r hydrocarbons.
Cracking i s used a g r e a t d e a l t o upgrade heavy middle
d i s t i l l a t e m a t e r i a l t o more v a l u a b l e materials p a r t i c u l a r l y
b l e n d i n g a g e n t s f o r motor g a s o l i n e .
W h i l s t c r a c k i n g can t a k e p l a c e by a combination of
h e a t and p r e s s u r e
u s u a l l y referred t o as t h e r m a l c r a c k i n g it i s more u s u a l and more e f f i c i e n t t o c a r r y o u t t h e p r o c e s s
i n t h e p r e s e n c e of a c a t a l y s t a t lower t e m p e r a t u r e and p r e s s u r e .
-
FUND/A.Q/11
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Page 6
A c a t a l y s t is a material. introduced i n t o a process
to
a i d or speed up a chemical r e a c t i o n a n d which can be
s u b s t a n t i a l l y r e c o v e r e d f o r r e - u s e a t t h e end of t h e p r o c e s s .
Steam c r a c k i n q i s a p r o c e s s i n v o l v i n g t h e u s e of steam
t o maximise t h e p r o d u c t i o n of o l e f i n s a s t h e f e e d s t o c k t o
a number of chemical processes.
C a t a l y t i c c y c l e oil i s t h e m a t e r i a l which i s n o t c r a c k e d '
i n t h e p r o c e s s and i s n e i t h e r a cracked g a s o l i n e f r a c t i o n nor
a c r a c k e d residuum.
I t is used a s a component of No.2 h e a t i n g
o i l and a s a b l e n d s t o c k w i t h bunker ' C ' i n t h e manufacture
of i n t e r m e d i a t e g r a d e s of f u e l o i l .
cut
T h i s i s a t e r m a p p l i e d t o t h a t p o r t i o n of a c r u d e o i l
or f e e d s t o c k i n a r e f i n i n g p l a n t w h i c h i s w i t h i n a s p e c i f i c
b o i l i n g range.
D i e s e l index
T h i s i s a formula c a l c u l a t i o n which is u s e d a s a measure
of t h e i g n i t i o n q u a l i t y of g a s / d i e s e l o i l s .
d i e s e l index
= ani.line
point
(OF) A P I
The formula i s :
gravity
1 O0
D i s t i l l at i o n
T h i s i s t h e primary p r o c e s s i n r e f i n i n g which h e a t s
t h e crude o r feedstock t o vaporise it f o r r e l e a s e i n t o a
f r a c t i o n a t i o n tower where a p p r o p r i a t e c u t s or f r a c t i o n s a r e
drawn o f f by c o n t r o l l i n g t h e t e m p e r a t u r e a t d i f f e r e n t l e v e l s
i n t h e tower t o t h e f i n a l b o i l i n g p o i n t of t h e c u t r e q u i r e d .
Feeds t o c k
T h i s i s t h e term a p p l i e d t o t h e m a t e r i a l f e d i n t o a
r e f i n i n g p r o c e s s . I t can b e a c r u d e o i l o r an i n t e r m e d i a k e
p r o c e s s s t o c k a c c o r d i n g t o t h e purpose of t h e p l a n t t o which
it is f e d .
FUND/A.4/11
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Fraction
T h i s i s t h e t e r m a p p l i e d t o a p a r t of a c r u d e o i l o r
feedstock w i t h i n a s p e c i f i c b o i l i n g r a n g e .
I t is thus
synonymous w i t h " c u t " .
Heavy
Light
These terms a r e a p p l i e d t o o i l s and hydrocarbons g e n e r a l l y
t o d i s t i n g u i s h b r o a d l y between t h e v o l a t i l e o i l s such a s
g a s o l i n e , k e r o s e n e and g a s o i l s ( l i g h t o i l s ) and r e s i d u a l
o i l s and waxy d i s t i l l a t e s (heavy o i l s ) . Agents f o r b l e n d i n g
i n t o f i n i s h e d o i l s a r e a l s o on some o c c a s i o n s s o c a t e g o r i s e d
and t h e t e r m may be u s e d i n a c o m p a r a t i v e sense i n order t o
d i s t i n g u i s h between c e r t a i n o i l s , q.9. l i g h t c r a c k e d naphtha
and heavy c r a c k e d naphtha.
The l i g h t m a t e r i a l w i l l have
a lower b o i l i n g r a n g e and s p e c i f i c g r a v i t y t h a n t h e heavy
material.
Ey.droca r bon
The name g i v e n t o t h e b a s i c molecules which comprise
p e t r o l e u m , t h e b a s i c s t a b l e hydrocarbon m o l e c u l e , i s methane
( C H 4 ) which h a s one carbon atom and f o u r hydrogen atoms,
w h i l e o t h e r m a t e r i a l s have d i f f e r e n t chemical f o r m u l a e ,
eg. butane ( C 4 H 1 0 ) .
N a t u r a l gas
N a t u r a l gas l i q u i d s
Condensate
Natural gasoline
N a t u r a l g a s i s g a s i s s u i n g from t h e e a r t h under p r e s s u r e
i n c e r t a i n l o c a l i t i e s o f t e n i n a s s o c i a t i o n with t h e production
of c r u d e o i l ( r e f e r r e d t o a s " a s s o c i a t e d g a s " ) . N a t u r a l g a s
i s u s u a l l y c l a s s i f i e d as "wet" o r " d r y " depending on t h e amount
of g a s o l i n e c o n s t i t u e n t s w h i c h can be r e c o v e r e d t h e r e f r o m .
N a t u r a l gas l i q u i d s
Condensate
L i q u i d s d e r i v e d from n a t u r a l gas p r o d u c t i o n .
The t e r m
u s u a l l y encompasses LPG and n a t u r a l g a s o l i n e b u t e x c l u d e s LNG.
FUND/A.4/11
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N a t u r a l g a s o l i n e i s g a s o l i n e e x t r a c t e d from " w e t "
n a t u r a l g a s c o n s i s t i n g of b u t a n e , p e n t a n e a n d ' h e a v i e r
hydrocarbons.
A f t e r s t a b i l i s a t i o n , n a t u r a l g a s o l i n e is
s u i t a b l e f o r b l e n d i n g i n t o motor g a s o l i n e .
Pour p o i n t
T h i s i s t h e t e m p e r a t u r e below which t h e m a t e r i a l b e i n g
t e s t e d w i l l n o t f l o w i f t i l t e d i n a sample c o n t a i n e r .
It
i s used a s a measure of a b i l i t y t o pump a f u e l o i l .
Residual
Residuum
G e n e r a l t e r m s used t o d e s c r i b e o i l s t h a t a r e l e f t o v e r
i n t h e r e f i n i n g p r o c e s s and c o n s i s t of heavy b l a c k o i l used
f o r h e a t and power g e n e r a t i o n . They a r e more s p e c i f i c a l l y
a p p l i e d t o t h a t p o r t i o n of a c r u d e o i l which remains i n t h e
p i p e s t i l l a f t e r p r o d u c t s have been removed which d i s t i l
a t o r below 400OC ( 7 5 0 O F ) .
Smoke p o i n t
T h i s i s t h e h e i g h t of a flame i n millimetres a t which
smoke f i r s t a p p e a r s a t - t h e t o p of t h e flame when tested i n a
s p e c i a l lamp.
oils.
The t e s t i s a p p l i e d t o k e r o s e n e s and b u r n i n g
Sulphur c o n t e n t
T h i s i s t h e amount of s u l p h u r by w e i g h t p r e s e n t i n a
m a t e r i a l e x p r e s s e d a s a p e r c e n t a g e of t h e m a t e r i a l under t e s t .
TEL and TML
T e t r a e t h y l l e a d and t e t r a methyl l e a d are t h e a d d i t i v e s
blended i n t o g a s o l i n e t o improve i t s o c t a n e ( o r a n t i - k n o c k )
rating.
Tonnes
This
r e f e r s t o t h e metric tonne of 1 , 0 0 0 kilogrammes.
FUND/A.4/11
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Treating
T h i s i s t h e t e r m a p p l i e d t o p r o c e s s e s t o which
i n t e r m e d i a t e s t o c k s a r e s u b j e c t e d t o remove i m p u r i t i e s
or t o b r i n g them w i t h i n t h e s p e c i f i c a t i o n requirement
of t h e p r o d u c t s t o which t h e y w i l l u l t i m a t e l y be blended.
Viscosity
T h i s i s a measure of t h e r e s i s t a n c e t o flow of an
o i l . There are s e v e r a l ways of r e p o r t i n g t h i s and
s e v e r a l t e s t s t o measure it. The Redwood and S a y b o l t
t e s t s r e p o r t i n seconds t h e t i m e r e q u i r e d f o r a
measured sample a t a given t e m p e r a t u r e t o p a s s through
an o r i f i c e of a predetermined s i z e by g r a v i t y i n t o
a receiving vessel.
Kinematic v i s c o s i t y is r e c o r d e d i n c e n t i s t o k e s
a s r e c o r d e d by t e s t i n an i n s t r u m e n t c a l l e d an ubbeometer.
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NATURAL MECHANISMS W H I C H AFFECT S P I L L E D O I L
When, f o r any r e a s o n , o i l i s s p i l l e d on t h e s e a , a
number of n a t u r a l mechanisms come i n t o f o r c e which change t h e
c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of t h e o i l and these a r e covered i n t h i s s e c t i o n .
An u n d e r s t a n d i n g of t h e s e mechanisms i s e s s e n t i a l i n o r d e r t o
d i f f e r e n t i a t e between p e r s i s t e n t and n o n - p e r s i s t e n t o i l s .
The e f f e c t of n a t u r e on s p i l l e d o i l i s g e n e r a l l y r e f e r r e d
t o a s " w e a t h e r i n g " and o c c u r s as a r e s u l t of a number of
d i f f e r e n t n a t u r a l p r o c e s s e s , more t h a n one of which c a n
o p e r a t e a t t h e same t i m e .
T h e major n a t u r a l e f f e c t s a r e :
Spreading
Except f o r c e r t a i n heavy r e s i d u a l f u e l o i l s 'in v e r y
cold c o n d i t i o n s , and any c r u d e o i l s o r f u e l o i l s w i t h a
s p e c i f i c g r a v i t y g r e a t e r than one, s p i l l e d o i l w i l l spread
r a p i d l y o v e r t h e s u r f a c e of t h e s e a . T h e f i l m t h u s formed
w i l l move i n r e l a t i o n t o c u r r e n t and t i d e and t o a lesser
e x t e n t i s a f f e c t e d by wind. The d e p t h of t h e f i l m of o i l
on open w a t e r w i l l d e c r e a s e r a p i d l y a s t h e o i l moves from t h e
d i s c h a r g e p o i n t . Most c r u d e o i l s w i l l a c h i e v e a f i l m
t h i c k n e s s of a b o u t one m i l l i m e t r e s h o r t l y a f t e r d i s c h a r g e
and w i l l be no more t h a n 0 . 3 m i l l i m e t r e s i n t h i c k n e s s a f t e r
t e n o r t w e l v e h o u r s on open s e a . U l t i m a t e l y it w i l l form
a monomolecular l a y e r which a p p e a r s a s a s i l v e r y s h e e n .
Evaporation
T h i s i s t h e most s i g n i f i c a n t mechanism which changes
t h e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of s p i l l e d o i l . Most c r u d e o i l s w i l l
l o s e up t o 5 0 % of t h e i r volume w i t h i n t h e f i r s t 2 4 h o u r s
f o l l o w i n g r e l e a s e . L i g h t e r p r o d u c t s , such a s motor
g a s o l i n e , w i l l normally d i s a p p e a r c o m p l e t e l y w i t h i n a
m a t t e r of h o u r s and k e r o s e n e s and g a s o i l s have been
shown t o be u n t r a c e a b l e w i t h i n 2 4 hours of release
i n t o open s e a .
When t r a p p e d i n e s t u a r i n e a r e a s and m u d - f l a t s ,
t h e y may t a k e somewhat l o n g e r t o d i s p e r s e e n t i r e l y .
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Dispersion
T h i s i n v o l v e s t h e a s s i m i l a t i o n of s m a l l p a r t i c l e s
of o i l i n t o t h e water column. The r a t e of a s s i m i l a t i o n
w i l l v a r y w i t h t h e composition of t h e o i l involved and
t h e weather and sea c o n d i t i o n s .
I n moderate s e a
c o n d i t i o n s t h i n f i l m s of o i l a r e s p e e d i l y i n c o r p o r a t e d
i n t o t h e upper l a y e r s of t h e s e a and t h i s p r o c e s s i s
speeded up i n rougher weather.
Solution
T h i s i s of minor importance i n comparison w i t h o t h e r
n a t u r a l e f f e c t s s i n c e m o s t petroleum hydrocarbons have a
low s o l u b i l i t y i n water. I t i s a p p l i c a b l e o n l y t o l i g h t e r
f r a c t i o n s of o i l , some of which may be absorbed i n t o t h e
water almost immediately a f t e r d i s c h a r g e and r a p i d l y
d i s a p p e a r from t h e w a t e r , s u r f a c e .
Emulsification
T h i s i s t h e major problem f o r t h o s e who must endeavour
t o c o n t r o l and remove o i l from t h e s e a f o l l o w i n g a s p i l l .
This i s p a r t i c u l a r l y so a f t e r t h e f i r s t 1 2 hours o r s o
f o l l o w i n g r e l e a s e , s i n c e e m u l s i f i c a t i o n combined w i t h
e v a p o r a t i o n i n c r e a s e s t h e l i k e l i h o o d of t h e remaining
o i l t o form a s t a b l e "water-in-oil'' emulsion o f t e n
r e f e r r e d t o a s " c h o c o l a t e mousse" w h i c h i s unpumpable
and extremely d i f f i c u l t t o handle. Such emulsions
can c o n t a i n up t o 75-80% w a t e r , a r e very s t a b l e , and
t h e r e f o r e p e r s i s t f o r q u i t e long p e r i o d s b u t w i l l
e v e n t u a l l y break down l e a v i n g a t a r r y d e p o s i t .
Photo-oxidation
T h i s i s t h e e f f e c t of s u n l i g h t on s p i l l e d o i l
which may cause chemical changes i n t h e o i l or some
of i t s c o n s t i t u e n t s .
I t i s b e l i e v e d t o be r e s p o n s i b l e
f o r b r i n g i n g o t h e r p r o c e s s e s referred t o above i n t o
p l a y more e f f e c t i v e l y and t h u s i t c o n t r i b u t e s t o
removing o i l from t h e s e a .
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R iodegradation
T h i s r e s u l t s from b a c t e r i a l a c t i o n and i s an i m p o r t a n t
f a c t o r i n u l t i m a t e l y removing o i l from t h e s e a .
It acts
t o g e t h e r w i t h o t h e r f a c t o r s such a s s p r e a d i n g and d i s p e r s i o n
and h e l p s t o speed up t h e p r o c e s s e s .
Factors favourable
t o b i o d e g r a d a t i o n a r e t h e e x t e n t of s u r f a c e a r e a of o i l
exposed and t h e a v a i l a b i l i t y of b a c t e r i a and c e r t a i n
n u t r i e n t s which a r e r e q u i r e d t o s u s t a i n growth.
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WHAT I S PERSISTENT OIL?
A s i t s t i t l e i m p l i e s , it was t h e i n t e n t i o n of t h o s e
who so d e s c r i b e d i t t o r e s t r i c t t h e t e r m t o t h o s e r e s i d u a l
hydrocarbons which were n o t amenable t o r a p i d d i s a p p e a r a n c e
due t o n a t u r a l f o r c e s .
Thus i t i s t h a t t h e d e f i n i t i o n of " o i l " i n t h e
I n t e r n a t i o n a l Convention on C i v i l L i a b i l i t y f o r O i l
P o l l u t i o n Damage 1 9 6 9 ( C L C ) r e a d s :
"'Oil'
means any p e r s i s t e n t o i l such a s c r u d e o i l ,
f u e l o i l , heavy d i e s e l o i l , l u b r i c a t i n g o i l and
whale o i l , whether c a r r i e d on board a s h i p a s
c a r g o o r i n t h e bunkers of such a s h i p " .
The d e f i n i t i o n i n t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l Convention on t h e
E s t a b l i s h m e n t of an I n t e r n a t i o n a l Fund f o r Compensation
f o r O i l P o l l u t i o n Damage 1 9 7 1 (Fund Convention) is
a l m o s t t h e same, e x c e p t t h a t whale o i l i s e x c l u d e d , t h e
p r e c i s e wording b e i n g :
(1
I
O i lI
(shall)
... have
t h e same meaning a s i n
A r t i c l e I of t h e L i a b i l i t y Convention p r o v i d e d
however t h a t f o r t h e purposes of t h e s e terms ' o i l '
s h a l l be c o n f i n e d t o p e r s i s t e n t hydrocarbon m i n e r a l
oils"
.
The p r e p a r a t i o n of b o t h t h e s e Conventions f o l l o w e d
t h e f i r s t major p o l l u t i o n from a t a n k e r , t h e TORREY CANYON,
i n March 1 9 6 7 , when v i r t u a l l y i t s e n t i r e c a r g o of
1 1 6 , 0 0 0 t o n n e s of crude o i l was r e l e a s e d i n t o t h e s e a
o f f t h e S c i l l y Isles.
T h i s c a t a s t r o p h e emphasised t h e
magnitude of p o l l u t i m which c o u l d r e s u l t from a s i n g l e
a c c i d e n t i n v o l v i n g a volume of o i l which was n o t e a s i l y
c a p a b l e of b e i n g absorbed by n a t u r a l f o r c e s and which
caused damage t o beaches a n d i n - s h o r e f i s h i n g .
Prior
t o t h i s a c c i d e n t most s p i l l s had been r e l a t i v e l y s m a l l
o r had i n v o l v e d l i g h t f r a c t i o n s of h y d r o c a r b o n s , w h i c h
had been d e a l t w i t h mainly by n a t u r e .
FUND/A. 4 / 1 1
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T h e l e g i s l a t o r s a t t h e t i m e of t h e 1 9 6 9 Liability Convention
r e c o g n i s e d t h e danger of l i s t i n g s p e c i f i c o i l s a s t h o s e which
were p e r s i s t e n t .
were :
The main r e a s o n s f o r t h e i r n o t s o d o i n g
( i ) D i f f e r e n t nomenclature f o r t h e same hydrocarbon
o i l s i n d i f f e r e n t p a r t s of t h e world would l e a d
t o c o n f u s i o n and i n e q u i t a b l e t r e a t m e n t .
[ ii)
I n t e r m e d i a t e p r o d u c t s and p r o c e s s s t o c k s change
t h e i r name and make-up q u i t e f r e q u e n t l y and
new s t o c k s a p p e a r a t r e g u l a r i n t e r v a l s .
o r i n m i x t u r e s and
a r e f r e q u e n t l y named from t h e f i e l d s o r r e g i o n s
( i i i ) Crude o i l s a r e sold singly
from which produced: t h i s a l s o c a u s e s c o n f u s i o n .
(iV)
Any o i l s n o t s p e c i f i c a l l y l i s t e d would be
excluded from coverage by t h e Conventions and
would r e q u i r e an amendment of t h e Conventions
and i t s r a t i f i c a t i o n b e f o r e any such o i l c o u l d
be i n c l u d e d .
I n an endeavour, t h e r e f o r e , t o produce a d e f i n i t i o n
which would be e a s i l y u n d e r s t o o d by t h o s e who were n o t o i l
e x p e r t s , and which would encompass t h e v a r i e t y o f d i f f e r e n t
t e r m i n o l o g i e s and t h e many i n t e r m e d i a t e o i l s , t h e l e g i s l a t o r s
produced a d e f i n i t i o n w h i c h i n c l u d e d g e n e r i c d e s c r i p t i o n s o f
t h e major p e r s i s t e n t o i l s and supplemented it w i t h t h e p h r a s e
"such a s " , i n order n o t t o e x c l u d e any o b v i o u s l y p e r s i s t e n t
o i l which had n o t been s p e c i f i c a l l y named.
The i n c l u s i o n of t h e s e t w o words may have r e s o l v e d one
problem b u t i t h a s c r e a t e d a n o t h e r by n o t s t a t i n g which o i l s
among t h o s e n o t s p e c i f i c a l l y mentioned i n t h i s d e f i n i t i o n
a r e c o v e r e d by t h e Conventions.
T h i s t h e r e f o r e p o s e s t h e q u e s t i o n a s t o whether t h e r e is
a b e t t e r o r more p r e c i s e way of d e f i n i n g what c o n s i t u t e s a
persistent oil.
T o do s o r e q u i r e s an e l e m e n t a r y knowledge
of t h e c h e m i s t r y of o i l and a l o o k a t how t h e o i l i n d u s t r y
i t s e l f deals w i t h t h e problem.
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IS THERE A MORE PRECISE WAY OF DEFINING PERSISTENT OIL?
8 5 % of oil moving in international trade is crude oil.
Its definition (for the purposes Of "contributing oil")
contained in Article 1.3(a) of the 1 9 7 1 Fund Convention is
concise and complete, and is the same as that generally
used by industry.
"'Crude oil' means any liquid hydrocarbon mixture
occurring naturally in the earth whether or not
treated to render it suitable for transportation.
It also includes crude o i l s from which certain
distillate fractions have been removed (sometimes
referred to as 'topped crudes') or to which certain
distillate fractions have been added (sometimes
referred to as 'spiked' or 'reconstituted' crudes)."
It should be noted that natural gas liquids, condensate,
casinghead and natural gasoline which are produced as gases
are not crude oil. They are light hydrocarbons which condense
from gas emanating from gas or oil wells and are usually
separated out in a treating or stabilising plant. After
treatment they are blended into qasoline or are used as
feedstock to chemical plants.
These materials are highly volatile and are not persistent.
Crude oil is a mixture of hydrocarbons ranging from
methane to bitumen. The lighter fractions which evaporate
easily are not persistent whereas the heavier residual fractions
with high boiling ranges are. All crude oils should therefore
be regarded as persistent.
The lightest fractions in crude oil are: methane, ethane,
propane and butane. These materials are gaseous at ambient __
temperatures in most parts of the world unless kept under
pressure or refrigerated.
Gasoline fractions will normally be material with a
final boiling point below 205OC (400OF). Kerosene fractions
~
FUND/A.4/11
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are l i k e l y t o have a b o i l i n g r a n g e of 1 5 0 o C t o 3 0 0 O C (30OOF
t o 5 7 5 O F ) . G a s o i l , a u t o d i e s e l and h e a t i n g o i l f r a c t i o n s
w i l l p r o b a b l y have a b o i l i n g r a n g e of 1 7 5 O C t o 4 0 0 0 C (3500F
t o 750OF).
I t i s worthy of n o t e t h a t t h e g a s o i l / h e a t i n g o i l component
v a r i e s w i d e l y i n c o m p o s i t i o n and f i n a l b o i l i n g p o i n t dependent
upon t h e a r e a i n which i t i s r e f i n e d , t h e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of
t h e c r u d e from which i t i s manufactured, t h e e v e n t u a l u s e and
l o c a t i o n Of t h a t u s e . T h e most s i g n i f i c a n t d i f f e r e n c e s a r e
p r o b a b l y between N0.2 h e a t i n g o i l emanating from many US Gulf
r e f i n e r i e s which w i l l have a h i g h p r o p o r t i o n of c a t a l y t i c
c y c l e o i l , l o w d i e s e l i n d e x , low pour p o i n t and a f i n a l
b o i l i n g p o i n t around 3 4 5 o C ( 6 5 0 0 F ) , which i s used f o r c e n t r a l
h e a t i n g and must be c a p a b l e of b e i n g d i s t r i b u t e d i n w i n t e r
i n t h e v e r y c o l d w e a t h e r e x p e r i e n c e d i n t h e N e w England S t a t e s
of t h e U S A , a s compared t o a g a s o i l manufactured i n Europe
from t h e l i g h t e r Middle E a s t and North Sea c r u d e s , which w i l l
be a s t r a i g h t r u n d i s t i l l a t e from a primary d i s t i l l a t i o n
u n i t , w i t h a much h i g h e r d i e s e l i n d e x and a f i n a l b o i l i n g
p o i n t which may be a s h i g h a s 400OC ( 7 5 0 0 F ) . I t is used
f o r a v a r i e t y of end-uses and h a s a pour p o i n t low enough
t o p e r m i t d i s t r i b u t i o n i n a European w i n t e r .
Beyond a f i n a l b o i l i n g p o i n t of approx. 4 0 0 o C ( 7 5 0 0 F )
come t h e r e s i d u a l - c o n t a i n i n g f r a c t i o n s s u c h a s marine d i e s e l
p i l s , lubricating o i l feedstocks, c a t a l y t i c cracking feedstock,
f u e l o i l s and bitumens.
The l i g h t e r f r a c t i o n s , i . e . g a s o l i n e s , k e r o s e n e s and
g a s o i l s , a r e n o t normally r e g a r d e d by i n d u s t r y as p e r s i s t e n t .
They a r e l i g h t i n c o l o u r , low i n v i s c o s i t y and c o n t a i n no
residue fractions.
For t h i s r e a s o n t h e y a r e c l a s s i f i e d
a s " c l e a n " o r " w h i t e " o i l s , and a r e u s u a l l y t r a n s p o r t e d
by d i f f e r e n t v e s s e l s from t h o s e u s e d f o r c r u d e o r " d i r t y "
or " b l a c k " p r o d u c t s .
E x p e r i e n c e and f i e l d t e s t s have
d e m o n s t r a t e d c o n c l u s i v e l y t h a t i n open sea c o n d i t i o n s
" c l e a n " o i l s show no t r a c e a s h o r t t i m e a f t e r s p i l l a g e .
FUND/A.4/11
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The most s i g n i f i c a n t t e s t i n t h i s r e g a r d was t h a t
c a r r i e d o u t by t h e Warren S p r i n g L a b o r a t o r y of t h e
Government of t h e United Kingdom i n e a r l y 1973 and
r e p o r t e d t o IMCO as PCMP/4/33.
I n t h e s e tests, gasoline
was d i s c h a r g e d a t t h e r a t e o f 30 c u b i c metres p e r m i l e
and heavy g a s o i l a t 5 0 c u b i c metres p e r m i l e .
No
d i s c e r n i b l e t r a c e of t h e g a s o l i n e c o u l d be found e i t h e r
on t h e s u r f a c e o r i n t h e w a t e r column a f t e r one hour.
The d i s c h a r g e of heavy g a s o i l showed o n l y t r a c e
i n d i c a t i o n s a f t e r t w o and a h a l f h o u r s w i t h a c o n c e n t r a t i o n
of 0 . 5 p a r t s p e r m i l l i o n i n t h e s u b - s u r f a c e l a y e r s .
T e s t s on o t h e r l i g h t p r o d u c t s , i n c l u d i n g a number which
were h i g h i n a r o m a t i c c o n t e n t (claimed by some t o be a
p e r s i s t e n t l i g h t f r a c t i o n ) , w e r e subsequently c a r r i e d o u t
o f f M a s s a c h u s e t t s by t h e Woods Hole L a b o r a t o r y and t h e s e
t e s t s s u b s t a n t i a l l y confirmed t h e f i n d i n g s of t h e e a r l i e r
studies.
The t e s t s confirmed t h e i n d u s t r y ' s long-held view
t h a t a l o g i c a l d e f i n i t i o n of p e r s i s t e n t and n o n - p e r s i s t e n t
o i l s was t h a t used f o r s h i p p i n g o i l , i . e .
" c l e a n " and " d i r t y " .
"Clean" o i l s comprise g a s o l i n e s , k e r o s e n e s and gas o i l s ,
and b l e n d s t o c k s f o r t h e s e p r o d u c t s which a r e n o n - p e r s i s t e n t .
" D i r t y " o i l s comprise marine d i e s e l s , f u e l o i l s , l u b r i c a t i n g
o i l s and c r u d e o i l s which a r e c l a s s e d a s p e r s i s t e n t and c o n t a i n
residual fractions.
A t t h e t i m e of t h e 1973 Diplomatic Conference which
produced t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l Convention f o r t h e P r e v e n t i o n
Of
P o l l u t i o n from S h i p s (MARPOL), t h e q u e s t i o n of p e r s i s t e n t
and n o n - p e r s i s t e n t o i l s w a s a g a i n d i s c u s s e d i n d e t a i l , and
a number of p o s s i b l e d e f i n i t i o n s were p u t f o r w a r d .
A f t e r most of t h e p r o p o s a l s were d i s c a r d e d on t h e grounds
o f b e i n g t o o i m p r e c i s e , t h e most p r o m i s i n g s o l u t i o n seemed t o
be one which a c c u r a t e l y d e f i n e d n o n - p e r s i s t e n t o i l s l e a v i n g
e v e r y t h i n g e l s e t o be classed a s p e r s i s t e n t .
proposed f o r n o n - p e r s i s t e n t o i l was:
The d e f i n i t i o n
FUND/A.4/11
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" O i l which c o n s i s t s wholly of d i s t i l l a t e f r a c t i o n s and
of which more t h a n 5 0 % by volume d i s t i l s a t
3 4 O o C when
t e s t e d by t h e ASTM Method D 86/78".
B y t h i s d e f i n i t i o n a l l c r u d e o i l s , r e s i d u a l f u e l o i l s , blended
( r e s i d u a l - c o n t a i n i n g ) d i e s e l o i l s , l u b e o i l s and waxy d i s t i l l a t e s
would a u t o m a t i c a l l y f a l l i n t o t h e c a t e g o r y of " p e r s i s t e n t o i l " .
T h i s d e f i n i t i o n was n o t proceeded w i t h a s t h e Conference
d e c i d e d n o t t o d i f f e r e n t i a t e b e t w e e n p e r s i s t e n t and nonp e r s i s t e n t o i l s f o r t h e c o n t r o l and d i s c h a r g e purposes of
t h e 1 9 7 3 MARPOL Convention.
However, it remains p r o b a b l y
t h e most p r e c i s e method of drawing an a c c u r a t e d i v i d i n g
l i n e between p e r s i s t e n t and n o n - p e r s i s t e n t o i l , which
c o u l d s a t i s f y b o t h t h e lawyers and t e c h n i c a l e x p e r t s and
which would be s i m p l e to a s c e r t a i n a s a m a t t e r o f f a c t .
I n order t o c l a r i f y t h e p o i n t a t which t h e d e t e r m i n a t i o n
s h o u l d t a k e p l a c e , it might be d e s i r a b l e t o i n s e r t t h e words
" a t t h e t i m e of shipment" a f t e r t h e word "which" i n t h e f i r s t
line.
A l s o , t o p r e v e n t any argument a s t o what c o n s t i t u t e s a
" d i s t i l l a t e " it might be p r e f e r a b l e t o r e f e r t o " n o n - r e s i d u a l
fractions".
Thus, it i s p o s s i b l e t o d e f i n e t h o s e o i l s which a r e
c o v e r e d by t h e Convention i n t h e f o l l o w i n g terms:
o i l s which a r e n o t w i t h i n t h e c a t e g o r y o f 'nonp e r s i s t e n t o i l ' a s d e f i n e d s h a l l be r e g a r d e d a s
'persistent o i l ' .
' N o n - p e r s i s t e n t o i l ' is o i l which,
"All
a t t h e t i m e of s h i p m e n t , c o n s i s t s wholly of n o n - r e s i d u a l
f r a c t i o n s and of which more t h a n 5 0 % by volume d i s t i l s
a t a t e m p e r a t u r e o f 34OoC when t e s t e d by t h e ASTM
Method D 86/78 o r any s u b s e q u e n t r e v i s i o n t h e r e o f " .
W h i l s t terms s u c h a s " d i s t i l l a t e " and " r e s i d u a l " a r e
commonly used and u n d e r s t o o d w i t h i n i n d u s t r y , it may be
d e s i r a b l e t o f o r m u l a t e a d e f i n i t i o n of " n o n - p e r s i s t e n t o i l "
which i s e x p r e s s e d s o l e l y i n terms of s t a n d a r d test methods.
I n t h i s c a s e t h e d e f i n i t i o n would read:
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" ' n o n - p e r s i s t e n t oil' i s o i l which, a t t h e t i m e
of s h i p m e n t , c o n s i s t s of hydrocarbon f r a c t i o n s ,
( a ) more t h a n 50% of which, by volume, d i s t i l s
a t a t e m p e r a t u r e of 3 4 0 %
(645oF),
and
(b)
t h e t e m p e r a t u r e a t which 9 5 % d i s t i l s does n o t
exceed 4OO0C
(750OF),
when t e s t e d by t h e ASTM Method D 8 6 / 7 8 o r any s u b s e q u e n t
revision thereof".
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PETROLEUM PRODUCTS MOVED BY SEA
There f o l l o w s a l i s t of t h e major p e t r o l e u m p r o d u c t s
which a r e moved by s e a . The l i s t i n g s t a r t s w i t h t h e l i g h t e s t
(most v o l a t i l e ) p r o d u c t s and c o n t i n u e s t h r o u g h t o the h e a v i e r
r e s i d u a l products.
A s i m p l e t a b u l a t i o n a t t h e end d i v i d e s t h e
p r o d u c t s i n t o n o n - p e r s i s t e n t and p e r s i s t e n t c a t e g o r i e s .
Methane
&
Ethane
-
These form t h e main c o n s t i t u e n t s of l i q u i f i e d n a t u r a l
g a s ( L N G ) which i s t r a n s p o r t e d i n s p e c i a l s h i p s a t t e m p e r a t u r e s
around -26OOF.
A t t h i s t e m p e r a t u r e t h e g a s i s i n l i q u i d form
without pressurisation.
S i n c e LNG would e v a p o r a t e r a p i d l y
i n t h e e v e n t of a s p i l l it i s n o t p e r s i s t e n t and i s n o t
c o v e r e d by CLC o r Fund Convention.
Propane
&
Butane
These m a t e r i a l s , g e n e r i c a l l y r e f e r r e d t o as LPG, a r e
gaseous a t normal a t m o s p h e r i c p r e s s u r e and ambient t e n i p e r a t u r e .
For t r a n s p o r t a t i o n t h e y a r e e i t h e r r e f r i g e r a t e d o r p r e s s u r i s e d
t o c o n v e r t them t o l i q u i d s .
s p e c i a l s h i p s are r e q u i r e d f o r
t r a n s p o r t i n b u l k . LPG is a l s o s h i p p e d i n c y l i n d e r s under
p r e s s u r e by normal t r a n s p o r t .
A s w i t h methane, t h e s e p r o d u c t s
e v a p o r a t e r a p i d l y i f s p i l l e d and a r e n o t p e r s i s t e n t .
Aviation Gasolines
As t h e name s u g g e s t s , t h e s e m a t e r i a l s a r e used f o r f u e l
i n p i s t o n - e n g i n e d a i r c r a f t . Most a v i a t i o n g a s o i i n e s c o n t a i n
l e a d ( e i t h e r a s TEL or TML) and t h e r e f o r e are d y e d , t h e
c o l o u r i n d i c a t i n g t h e o c t a n e number.
Aviation g a s o l i n e
g r a d e s a r e d i f f e r e n t i a t e d by t h e i r o c t a n e number which
i s q u o t e d t h u s : Avgas 100/130. T h i s r e f e r s t o a n o c t a n e
r a t i n g of 1 0 0 on l e a n m i x t u r e and a n o c t a n e r a t i n g of 130
on r i c h m i x t u r e . A v i a t i o n g a s o l i n e s a r e v o l a t i l e and
e v a p o r a t e q u i c k l y i f exposed t o a i r .
They a r e n o t p e r s i s t e n t .
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Motor G a s o l i n e s
I n most c o u n t r i e s t h e m a j o r i t y of motor g a s o l i n e s c o n t a i n
l e a d (as TEL o r TML) t o a s p e c i f i e d m a x i m u m p e r l i t r e o r
g a l l o n . However, i n r e c e n t y e a r s some a u t h o r i t i e s have
r e q u i r e d c a r s t o be f i t t e d w i t h a c a t a l y t i c c o n v e r t e r on
t h e v e h i c l e exhaust system t o reduce atmospheric emissions.
Such c a r s r e q u i r e u n l e a d e d g a s o l i n e (sometimes referred t o
a s " c l e a r " ) , as lead i n gasoline w i l l gradually clog t h e
c a t a l y s t and r e n d e r it i n e f f e c t i v e . A l l l e a d e d g a s o l i n e s
a r e dyed, each g r a d e b e i n g dyed a d i f f e r e n t c o l o u r .
G a s o l i n e s a r e n o r m a l l y d i f f e r e n t i a t e d by t h e i r r e s e a r c h
method o c t a n e number, b u t o c c a s i o n a l l y g a s o l i n e may be
quoted a s X o c t a n e (MM) o r motor method. The motor method
g i v e s a s i g n i f i c a n t l y lower octane number t h a n t h e r e s e a r c h
rating.
Motor g a s o l i n e i s a v o l a t i l e s u b s t a n c e and w i l l
e v a p o r a t e q u i c k l y i f exposed t o a i r . For t h i s r e a s o n
it i s n o t a p e r s i s t e n t o i l b e i n g u n t r a c e a b l e i n water
a f t e r an hour or so.
The p o s s i b l e danger i n t h e c a s e of
g a s o l i n e s p i l l a g e i s t h a t of f i r e and e x p l o s i o n i f t h e
vapours from i t s e v a p o r a t i o n are exposed t o an i g n i t i o n
source p r i o r t o dispersion.
White S p i r i t
T h i s i s a s p e c i a l p r o d u c t v a r i o u s l y known as t u r p e n t i n e
s u b s t i t u t e , p a i n t and v a r n i s h makers naphtha and a number
of t r a d e names. I t i s a p r o d u c t i n t h e h e a v i e r g a s o l i n e
r a n g e ( i t h a s a h i g h e r f l a s h p o i n t t h a n normal g a s o l i n e s )
b u t it i s v o l a t i l e when exposed t o a i r and i s n o t p e r s i s t e n t .
Kerosenes
There are p r i m a r i l y two g r a d e s of k e r o s e n e i n g e n e r a l
domestic u s e .
These are:
Premium k e r o s e n e used f o r l i g h t i n g and f o r f l u e - l e s s
space h e a t e r s .
Such m a t e r i a l i s h i g h l y r e f i n e d and w i l l
s u s t a i n a b r i g h t l y b u r n i n g flame w i t h o u t s o o t o r smoke.
It
a l s o h a s a v e r y low s u l p h u r c o n t e n t which p e r m i t s i t s u s e
i n flue-less space heaters.
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Regular k e r o s e n e i s used a s a f u e l f o r c e n t r a l h e a t i n g
i n non-pressure
j e t b u r n e r s , as a cooking f u e l i n many of t h e
less developed c o u n t r i e s and t o l i g h t lamps i n t h e s e a r e a s .
I t h a s t h e same b a s i c c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s a s premium k e r o s e n e ,
b u t h a s n o t been s u b j e c t e d t o t h e a d d i t i o n a l t r e a t m e n t t o
i n c r e a s e smoke p o i n t and r e d u c e s u l p h u r c o n t e n t .
Tractor kerosene, otherwise r e f e r r e d t o a s vaporising
o i l or t r a c t o r vaporising o i l (TVO), i s a l i g h t aromatic
k e r o s e n e produced a s a f u e l f o r farm t r a c t o r s and s i m i l a r
S i n c e most s u c h equipment i s now d i e s e l - p o w e r e d
machinery.
t h i s g r a d e i s r a p i d l y d i s a p p e a r i n g from t h e market.
Kerosenes
-
Aviation
A v i a t i o n k e r o s e n e o r A v t u r , J e t 7 A , T u r b o 2 4 9 4 , is
b a s i c a l l y a r e g u l a r k e r o s e n e b u t h a s t o meet c e r t a i n
e x a c t i n g t e s t s i n t h e s p e c i f i c a t i o n t o be s u i t a b l e f o r
I n o r d e r t o p a s s t h e s e , it may
be n e c e s s a r y t o s u b j e c t r e g u l a r k e r o s e n e t o f u r t h e r
t r e a t i n g processes.
j e t a i r c r a f t engines.
Wide c u t t u r b o ' f u e l or Avtaq, i s a m a t e r i a l used t o
f u e l j e t e n g i n e s b u t i s p r i m a r i l y , i f n o t e x c l u s i v e l y , used
in military aircraft.
A s i t s name i m p l i e s , i t i s manufactured
by t a k i n g t h e h e a v i e r ( h i g h e r b o i l i n g p o i n t ) f r a c t i o n s from
t h e g a s o l i n e c u t and p u t t i n g it i n t o t h e k e r o s e n e f r a c t i o n .
T h i s r e s u l t s i n a l a r g e r y i e l d of t u r b i n e f u e l from a b a r r e l
of c r u d e b u t i t i s n o t used by commercial a i r l i n e s due t o
i t s g r e a t e r f l a m m a b i l i t y . Kerosene f u e l s ( A v t u r ) have a
f l a s h p o i n t i n excess of 3 8 O C (IOOOF)
.
No.1 f u e l
O i l
pot type burners".
is a k e r o s e n e o i l " i n t e n d e d f o r v a p o r i s i n g
I t i s t h e b a s i c s p e c i f i c a t i o n i s s u e d by
t h e American S o c i e t y f o r T e s t i n g and M a t e r i a l s . (ASTM) under
designation D 396.
Kerosenes, while l e s s v o l a t i l e than g a s o l i n e , evaporate
and d i s a p p e a r q u i c k l y i f s p i l l e d a t s e a d u e t o t h e . c o m b i n e d
a c t i o n of n a t u r a l f o r c e s r e f e r r e d t o e a r l i e r and a r e n o t
persist e n t .
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Gas O i l s ; Heating O i l s ; Automotive Diesel: No.2 Fuel
The middle d i s t i l l a t e f r a c t i o n from c r u d e o i l is
known by a w i d e v a r i e t y of names, u s u a l l y a s s o c i a t e d w i t h
i t s end u s e . Thus:
G a s o i l , which has become i n some a r e a s a g e n e r i c t e r m
f o r middle d i s t i l l a t e s , was o r i g i n a l l y used i n a p r o c e s s of
gas enrichment whereby town g a s s u p p l i e s of i n s u f f i c i e n t
c a l o r i f i c v a l u e were brought up t o s p e c i f i c a t i o n by b l e n d i n g
i t w i t h v a p o r i s e d gas o i l .
Heating o i l , a s i t s name i m p l i e s , i s used i n domestic
h e a t i n g o r s m a l l i n d u s t r i a l u n i t s u s i n g p r e s s u r e ( o r gun)
type burners.
Automotive d i e s e l i s a premium l o w s u l p h u r , h i g h
q u a l i t y m a t e r i a l manufactured t o a r i g i d s p e c i f i c a t i o n f o r
u s e i n t h e d i e s e l e n g i n e s of cars and l o r r i e s . I t h a s
very low s u l p h u r c o n t e n t and a low c l o u d p o i n t .
f u e l is a standard s p e c i f i c a t i o n f o r "general
purpose domestic h e a t i n g " i s s u e d by t h e American S o c i e t y
f o r T e s t i n g and M a t e r i a l s (ASTM) a s s p e c i f i c a t i o n D 3 9 6 .
N0.2
Gas o i l s , when s p i l l e d on open s e a , a r e r a p i d l y
d i s p e r s e d by t h e mechanisms r e f e r r e d t o e a r l i e r h e r e i n
and are n o t r e g a r d e d a s p e r s i s t e n t .
Marine Diesel O i l
T h i s i s a heavy d i s t i l l a t e o r a m i x t u r e of l i g h t d i s t i l l a t e
and r e s i d u a l used mainly i n s h i p s ' d i e s e l e n g i n e s . A t p r e s e n t
i t is u s e d , i n p a r t i c u l a r , i n a u x i l i a r y equipment or when
vessels a r e i n manoeuvring c o n d i t i o n i n o r n e a r p o r t , s i n c e
most modern s l o w speed d i e s e l e n g i n e s u s e h e a v i e r g r a d e s of
r e s i d u a l f o r open sea o p e r a t i o n s . Marine d i e s e l i s r e g a r d e d
a s p e r s i s t e n t due t o t h e i n c l u s i o n of some r e s i d u a l f r a c t i o ' n s
i n t h i s material.
No.4 F u e l
T h i s is a s i m i l a r m a t e r i a l w i t h a s p e c i f i c a t i o n i s s u e d
by ASTM as p a r t of s p e c i f i c a t i o n D 3 9 6 .
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Lubricating O i l s
There a r e many hundreds of l u b r i c a t i n g o i l s manufactured,
s i n c e i n i n d u s t r y l u b r i c a t i n g o i l s a r e "tailor-made" f o r
specif ic processes o r i n d u s t r i e s .
The g e n e r i c term " l u b r i c a t i n g
o i l " c o v e r s such w i d e l y v a r y i n g m a t e r i a l s a s , f o r example:
M e d i c i n a l and Cosmetic O i l s
Hydraulic O i l s
Transformer O i l s
Rust P r e v e n t a t i v e s
Refrigerating O i l s
Quench O i l s
Cutting O i l s
Roll Oils
Synthetic Lubricants f o r j e t engines
B r i c k and C o n c r e t e Mould Oils
Automotive L u b r i c a n t s
Marine Diesel L u b r i c a n t s ,
t o name b u t a f e w of t h e more i m p o r t a n t u s a g e s .
Most l u b r i c a n t s t r a n s p o r t e d i n b u l k by sea a r e "blend
stocks" - i.e.
b a s i c g r a d e s which are s u b s e q u e n t l y blended
t o make t h e m u l t i p l i c i t y o f f i n i s h e d g r a d e s r e f e r r e d t o above.
L u b r i c a t i n g o i l s , because of t h e i r h i g h added v a l u e and
t o prevent t h e s l i g h t e s t contamination, a r e u s u a l l y t r a n s p o r t e d
i n s p e c i a l i s t vessels.
S i n c e t h e t o t a l volume of l u b r i c a n t s
used ( i n comparison w i t h t o t a l o i l usage) i s small, shipments
of l u b o i l s are mainly i n handy-size vessels o r s m a l l e r .
However, i f s p i l l e d on open sea, l u b r i c a t i n g o i l s are
pers i s t e n t .
Residual Fuel O i l s
A s t h e name i m p l i e s , t h e s e a r e t h e g r a d e s of o i l
r e m a i n i n g a f t e r t h e l i g h t e r m a t e r i a l s mentioned e a r l i e r
have been d i s t i l l e d f r o m c r u d e o i l . They a r e u s e d f o r
b u r n i n g under b o i l e r s t o generate h e a t o r power, i n heavy
d i e s e l e n g i n e s a t sea and i n s t a t i o n a r y e n g i n e s a s h o r e .
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W h i l s t t h e r e are many g r a d e s of f u e l o i l which may be
s p e c i f i e d f o r p a r t i c u l a r u s e s , t h e t h r e e predominant g r a d e s
are:
L i g h t F u e l , No.5 F u e l O i l ( L i g h t )
T h i s g r a d e i s a low v i s c o s i t y f u e l ( 1 5 0
- 3OOoSSU
@
1000F)
which c a n be handled w i t h o u t h e a t i n g , e x c e p t i n v e r y c o l d
climates.
Medium F u e l , N0.5 F u e l O i l (Heavy) Heavy F u e l
T h i s i s a medium v i s c o s i t y f u e l (350-750OSSU @ 1OOOF)
which r e q u i r e s moderate p r e h e a t i n g f o r b u r n i n g and i n c o l d
c l i m a t e s may r e q u i r e h e a t i n g f o r pumping and h a n d l i n g .
Bunker " C " ,
No.6 F u e l , Heavy F u e l O i l , Marine F u e l
T h i s i s t h e h e a v i e s t g r a d e marketed and i s t h e l a r g e s t
i n volume movement.
1 0 0 0 F o r 45-300oSSF
I t h a s a v i s c o s i t y r a n g e of 900-9,000°SSU
I n a d d i t i o n t o b e i n g burned
"as i s " , i t i s common p r a c t i c e t o b l e n d t h i s m a t e r i a l w i t h
@
@
1220F.
marine d i e s e l , heavy g a s o i l o r c a t a l y t i c c y c l e o i l t o
produce l i g h t o r medium f u e l o i l s (No.5 f u e l ) o r s p e c i a l i s t
g r a d e s , p a r t i c u l a r l y f o r heavy marine d i e s e l e n g i n e s .
Another s p e c i a l i s t g r a d e of f u e l o i l which i s manufactured
a s s u c h , and i s t r a n s p o r t e d by s e a , is Navy S p e c i a l o r U Ç N S .
T h i s i s a h i g h q u a l i t y premium f u e l w i t h low v i s c o s i t y , low
pour p o i n t and h i g h c a l o r i f i c v a l u e , used by t h e U S Navy.
A l l residual
fuel oils are persistent.
Bitumen, A s p h a l t
T h i s i s t h e h e a v i e s t of a l l materials made from c r u d e
o i l and i n i t s normal s t a t e i s s o l i d a t a m b i e n t t e m p e r a t u r e s .
Many g r a d e s of bitumen have a s p e c i f i c g r a v i t y g r e a t e r t h a n
one. Thus, i n t h e e v e n t of i t s release i n t o t h e s e a ,
bitumen would s o l i d i f y and s i n k o r a p p e a r a s lumps ( s i m i l a r
t o c o a l ) and would be e a s i l y c o l l e c t a b l e .
Because of t h e need t o t r a n s p o r t b i t u m e n a t h i g h
t e m p e r a t u r e , it i s o n l y c a r r i e d i n s p e c i a l l y c o n s t r u c t e d
v e s s e l s and i n s m a l l q u a n t i t i e s .
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Bitumens are c a t e g o r i s e d i n t o t h r e e t y p e s :
S t r a i g h t o r P e n e t r a t i o n Bitumen
Oxidised B i t u m e n
Cutback Bitumen, Road O i l s and Emulsions.
T h i s l a t t e r t y p e of bitunien i s a. blend of bitumen w i t h
a s o l v e n t - u s u a l l y a kerosene o r c r e o s o t e (and sometimes
i n c l u d i n g an e m u l s i f y i n g a g e n t ) - w h i c h i s l i q u i d and i s
used f o r r o a d s p r a y i n g o p e r a t i o n s .
Bitumen i s p e r s i s t e n t i n t h a t it w i l l r e s i s t breakdowns
and d i s p e r s i o n by n a t u r a l f o r c e s . However, p e n e t r a t i o n and
o x i d i s e d g r a d e s of bitumen i f s p i l l e d a t sea would n o t p r e s e n t
a s d i f f i c u l t a p o l l u t i o n clean-up problem as r e s i d u a l f u e l s
s i n c e it would be c o l l e c t e d i n t h e same manner a s i s used f o r
normal beach c l e a n i n g .
I f , however, c u t b a c k bitumens a r e released i n t o t h e s e a ,
some p o l l u t i o n may r e s u l t , t h e e x t e n t of t h i s depending on
t h e s p e c i f i c a t i o n of t h e m a t e r i a l r e l e a s e d .
Process O i l s , I n t e r m e d i a t e s , Blend S t o c k s
I t i s n o t uncommon i n t h e
o i l i n d u s t r y t o move o i l s ,
which have been s u b j e c t e d t o primary d i s t i l l a t i o n and/or
measures of t r e a t m e n t , by s e a from one l o c a t i o n t o a n o t h e r .
Also, it i s common p r a c t i c e t o move b l e n d s t o c k s , which a r e
n o t i n themselves f i n i s h e d p r o d u c t s , t o a l o c a t i o n c l o s e
t o consumption where b l e n d i n g t o t h e market r e q u i r e m e n t
t a k e s p l a c e . T h i s i s p a r t i c u l a r l y t h e case w i t h l u b r i c a t i n g
o i l s , r e s i d u a l f u e l o i l s and motor g a s o l i n e s .
For example, t h e f e e d s t o c k f o r a c a t a l y t i c c r a c k i n g p l a n t
( c a t . f e e d s t o c k ) may come from more t h a n one primary d i s t i l l a t i o n
u n i t s i t u a t e d i n d i f f e r e n t geographical l o c a t i o n s . This
m a t e r i a l i s u s u a l l y a heavy d i s t i l l a t e c o n t a i n i n g some r e s i d u a l
o r waxy f r a c t i o n s .
S i m i l a r l y , c a t a l y t i c c y c l e o i l ( t h e m a t e r i a l which i s
n o t c r a c k e d i n t h e p r o c e s s and i s n o t a c r a c k e d r e s i d u a l )
may be shipped t o o t h e r l o c a t i o n s as a blend s t o c k t o c u t
back bunker "C" t o l i g h t e r g r a d e s of f u e l o i l . T h i s m a t e r i a l ,
FUND/A.4/11
ANNEX
Page 27
which has many of t h e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of a g a s o i l , can be
a major component i n No.2 h e a t i n g o i l from c e r t a i n areas,
p a r t i c u l a r l y t h o s e which have a h i g h g a s o l i n e / d i s t i l l a t e
demand, such a s t h o s e i n t h e U S G u l f . I t i s t h i s m a t e r i a l
which has caused some e n v i r o n m e n t a l i s t s t o t r y t o w i d e n
t h e o r i g i n a l d e f i n i t i o n of " p e r s i s t e n t " .
Following t h e "West Falmouth S p i l l " i n September 1 9 6 9 ,
where No.2 h e a t i n g o i l c o n t a i n i n g a h i g h p r o p o r t i o n of
c a t . c y c l e o i l was t r a p p e d i n marsh s e d i m e n t s , a r e s e a r c h
s t u d y i n t o i t s e f f e c t on t h e l o c a l ecology s t a t e d t h a t t h e
aromatic f r a c t i o n s p r e s e n t i n c a t . c y c l e o i l r e s u l t e d i n
p e r s i s t e n t t o x i c i t y t o b e n t h i c s p e c i e s . However, t h e
f i n d i n g s of t h e West Falmouth S p i l l have been c h a l l e n g e d
by o t h e r s c i e n t i s t s a s being s p e c i f i c t o t h o s e p a r t i c u l a r
c i r c u m s t a n c e s and n o t c a p a b l e of e x t r a p o l a t i o n t o o t h e r
m i d d l e d i s t i l l a t e s o r even t o o t h e r c a r g o e s of No.2 h e a t i n g
o i l from d i f f e r e n t s o u r c e s .
Feedstock f o r c a t a l y t i c c r a c k i n g p l a n t s ( c a t . f e e d s t o c k )
i s a p e r s i s t e n t o i l i n normal c i r c u m s t a n c e s .
However, there
have been i n s t a n c e s where. Cue t o t h e paramount need t o meet
h i g h g a s o l i n e demand, m a r k e t a b l e gas o i l s have been shipped
a s c a t . feedstock and used f o r t h a t purpose.
There a r e a
number of l o c a t i o n s where import of p r o c e s s s t o c k s i s
p e r m i t t e d b u t where t h e import of f i n i s h e d p r o d u c t s ( g a s o i l )
i s n o t allowed o r has v e r y r e s t r i c t i v e r u l e s on i t s import.
The a d o p t i o n of t h e d e f i n i t i o n proposed e a r l i e r would
cover such c a s e s .
C a t a l y t i c c y c l e o i l s h o u l d n o t normally be r e g a r d e d as
p e r s i s t e n t b u t i t s make-up can vary c o n s i d e r a b l y depending
on t h e t y p e of c r u d e from which i t i s c u t and t h e p r o c e s s e s
t o which it has been s u b j e c t e d . Again t h e d e f i n i t i o n proposed
would be d e t e r m i n a t i v e .
Aromatic t a r i s an i n t e r m e d i a t e which i s c a r r i e d by sea.
I t s main u s e i s as a f e e d s t o c k t o p l a n t s making carbon b l a c k
and i s a h i g h l y p e r s i s t e n t o i l which s h o u l d be removed from
FüND/A.Q/Ii
ANNEX
Page 28
t h e s e a i f p o s s i b l e , i f i t t h r e a t e n s c o a s t l i n e s o r in-shore
fisheries
.
S t e a m c r a c k e r f e e d is a heavy g a s o l i n e / d i s t i l l a t e m a t e r i a l
which i s fed t o a steam c r a c k i n g p r o c e s s f o r t h e p r o d u c t i o n of
o l e f i n s f o r chemical manufacturing p r o c e s s e s .
I t is a
c o m p a r a t i v e l y v o l a t i l e m a t e r i a l and i s n o t p e r s i s t e n t .
L i g h t cracked naphtha
Heavy c r a c k e d naphtha
Steam c r a c k e d naphtha
Reformate, p i a t f o r m a t e
T h e s e , and many O t h e r s , a r e g a s o l i n e b l e n d i n g s t o c k s
and a l l have t h e same c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s as g a s o l i n e i n t h a t
t h e y . a r e v o l a t i l e and a r e n o n - p e r s i s t e n t .
There a r e a m u l t i p l i c i t y of p r o c e s s stocks which may
be moved from one r e f i n e r y t o a n o t h e r f o r b l e n d i n g , t o
maximise e f f i c i e n c y and t o b a l a n c e y i e l d w i t h m a r k e t demand.
T h e names given t o t h e s e p r o c e s s and b l e n d i n g s t o c k s v a r y
from a r e a t o a r e a and from r e f i n e r y t o r e f i n e r y . The
b l e n d s t o c k s themselves change i n c o n s t i t u t i o n a c c o r d i n g t o
t h e p l a n t s w h i c h are used t o produce them. I t i s f o r t h i s
r e a s o n t h a t i t would be i m p o s s i b l e t o produce a g l o b a l l y
comprehensive l i s t of all m a t e r i a l s s h i p p e d by sea and
keep it c o m p l e t e l y up t o d a t e . I t i s f o r t h i s r e a s o n
t h a t t h e proposed d e f i n i t i o n , which would e n a b l e a c l e a r
d e l i n e a t i o n between p e r s i s t e n t and n o n - p e r s i s t e n t o i l ,
is s u g g e s t e d .
FUND/A.4/11
ANNEX
Page 29
FINISHED PRODUCTS
NON-PERSISTENT
Gases
- l i q u i f i e d n a t u r a l g a s (LNG) methane, e t h a n e
- l i q u i f i e d p e t r o l e u m g a s (LPG) p r o p a n e , b u t a n e
7
Gasolines
-
a v i a t i o n g a s o l i n e (AVGAS)
-
motor g a s o l i n e (MOGAS)
-
- various
g r a d e s by o c t a n e no.
v a r i o u s g r a d e s by o c t a n e no.
White s p i r i t ( t u r p e n t i n e s u b s t i t u t e , p a i n t and v a r n i s h
makers n a p h t h a )
Kerosene
-
Domestic
-
-
-
premium k e r o s e n e
-
r e g u l a r kerosene
Tractor k e r o s e n e ( t r a c t o r v a p o r i s i n g o i l )
Aviation
Avtur, J e t l A , t u r b o 2494
-
Avtag (wide c u t t u r b o f u e l )
No. 1 f u e l
b a s i c ASTM s p e c i f i c a t i o n
-
Distillate
- g a s o i l - v a r i o u s g r a d e s by diesel i n d e x
- heating o i l
- a u t o m o t i v e d i e s e l - v a r i o u s g r a d e s by s u l p h u r
- No.2 f u e l - b a s i c ASTM s p e c i f i c a t i o n
content
F I N I S H E D PRODUCTS
PERSISTENT
-
Marine d i e s e l o i l
- ~ 0 . 4 f u e l - basic
- Lubricatinq o i l s
-
automotive
-
industrial
ASTM s p e c i f i c a t i o n
- vora r SAE
i o u s grades
rating
- various grades
by v i s c o s i t y i n d e x ( V I )
by end u s e
FUND/A.4/11
ANNEX
Page 30
- aviation - various grades by viscosity index
- synthetic lubricants for jet engines
- marine - various grades by end use
- Residual fuels
- navy special fuel oil
-
-
-
light fuel oil
No.5 fuel oil (light) - basic ASTM specification
medium fuel oil
No.5 fuel oil (heavy)
basic ASTM specification
bunker ' C '
heavy fuel oil
marine fuel oil
No.6 fuel oil
basic AÇTM specification
blended fuel oils by viscosity and/or sulphur content
-
-
- Bitumen; asphalt
-
penetration grades (straight)
oxidised grades (oxidised)
cutback grades (road oils, emulsions)
Since there are many hundreds of intermediate products with a
multiplicity of names, the following should be regarded
only as an indicative list of the more common stocks.
INTERMEDIATE OILS, PROCESS STOCKS
NON-PERSISTENT
- Gasoline blending components
-
-
-
-
casinghead, natural gas liquids condensate and natural
gasoline
straight run naphtha
light cracked naphtha
heavy cracked naphtha
platformate
reformate
steam cracked naphtha
polymers
isomers
alkylates
FUND/A.4/11
ANNEX
Page 31
-
C a t a l y t i c cycle o i l
Reformer f e e d
G a s o i l blend s t o c k s
PERSISTENT
-
A r o m a t i c tar
C a t a l y t i c cracker f e e d s t o c k s
Lubricating o i l blend s t o c k s
Fuel o i l blend s t o c k s