Calendar of events — 1969 — Continued 



Feb. 17 Production of oil authorized from shallow zones to 



relieve pressure causing seepage. 



Feb. 24 Following stormy period, new oil deposits on beaches. 



Feb. 25 Increased seepage. Chemicals, skimmers, and con- 

 tainment attempted. 



Mar. 2 Efforts made to seal fissure leaks. 



Mar. 4 Flow somewhat reduced. 



Mar. 6 Slick consisted of streaks of oil extending southeast 



of platform; chemical dispersants continued. 



Mar. 7 Dispersants discontinued. Flow much reduced. 



Mar. 18 Dispersants and skimming continued for several days 



near well. Estimates are that small seepage may 

 persist for some time. 



In retrospect, there was a degree of success in almost all corrective eflForts, 

 but none were fully adequate. Chemical dispersants were variable in their 

 action ; sinking agents were not generally successful. Containment booms were 

 adequate in some cases, but much engineering development remains to be 

 done to pro\ide a fully effective system in rough water. Floating skimmers 

 worked well in seas up to 6 feet high; beyond this, their efficiency rapidly 

 decreased. Beach cleaning continued to be a major problem, especially on 

 rough, rocky stretches. 



Following this incident, a Presidential Panel was convened which reviewed 

 the problem of oil spills and related matters. In its first report,^ which was 

 primarily concerned with prevention and correction of oil spills, the Panel 

 noted that the United States does not now have sufficient technical or 

 operational capability to cope with a large-scale oil spill in the marine en- 

 vironment. It recommended further action, including steps to reduce the 

 probability of spills, research toward better control methods, and several 

 administrative, regulatory, and legal changes to improve the overall situation. 

 It was also suggested that an advisory team, including experts in ecology, 

 environmental science, engineering, and economics to assist during an inci- 

 dent and the followup analyses and assessment, be made available. 



In its second report the Panel considered the management of offshore 

 resources, and their exploitation with lessened danger of pollution. It sug- 

 gested that a Resource Advisory- Board be established to advise on develop- 

 ment of resources, and that the views of State and local government bodies 

 be incorporated into plans for development of Federal offshore mineral 

 resources. The possibility of placing some resources in escrow for future 

 development was raised, as well as the need for more stringent regulations, 

 for production methods as circumstances warrant. The desirability of unitized 

 production and of underwater production facilities when feasible were recog- 

 nized. A shortage of personnel and information in Federal agencies concerned 

 with these matters was noted, and corrective action recommended. 



Another step to insure the safer development of offshore mineral resources 

 on Federal lands was taken by the Secretary of the Interior in August with 

 approval of new regulations governing oil and gas leasing and development 

 operations on the entire U.S. Outer Continental Shelf from Maine to Alaska. 



^ "The Oil Spill Problem," First Report of the President's Panel on Oil Spills; 

 and "Offshore Mineral Resources — A Challenge and an Opportunity," Second Re- 

 port of the President's Panel on Oil Spills; Office of Science and Technology, 1969. 



43 



