Upgrading of the MCSM lab in Murmansk

Murmansk Centre for Standardization, Metrology and Certification Laboratory

When oils are spilt at sea different weathering processes alter the properties of the oil as a function of time and weather conditions. The weathering processes are e.g. evaporation, emulsification, natural dispersion, dissolution of water soluble components, spreading and photo oxidation. Large variations in the physical and chemical qualities of the crude oils and fuel oils make the oils’ behave very different when spilled at sea. Laboratory data of the weathering properties of the oils are important input to the models in order to obtain reliable predictions of the weathering behavior at sea at various conditions.

Why is knowledge about oil properties, fate and behavior of importance?

Knowledge about oil properties, fate and weathering behavior is important for:

• Environmental Risk Analysis
• Contingency analysis and planning
• NEBA-analysis (Net Environmental Benefit Analysis) Weighing of advantages and disadvantages of alternative oil spill responses for all aspects of environmental effects, compared with “no response”
• Decision making during oil spill response operations

Why study weathering of Russian oils?

The transport of Russian crude oils and refined fuel products in tankers along the Norwegian coast will increase in the years to come.
At present, 6-8 tankers (circa 3 loaded and 3 unloaded tankers) are sailed daily along the Norwegian coast with an average size of approximately 40000 tons. However, it is expected that the tanker size in the near future will increase up to 100000 tons. Figure 1 shows the transportation route of tankers from Murmansk to Rotterdam. The Norwegian authorities will have the responsibility for oil spill contingency along the Norwegian coast and are concerned about the increased risk for major spill incidents. Today, we need better documentation of the weathering properties and behaviour of the Russian crude- and fuel oil products transported through the Barents Sea and along the Norwegian coast in order to supply important information for Russian and Norwegian oil companies, spill response organizations, and environmental authorities.

In addition, supply important information for inclusion in Russian Oil Spill Contingency plans.

Laboratory in Murmansk:

Based on an in initiative from SINTEF and the Norwegian Coastal Administration (NCA), Statoil is financing a project regarding to upgrade a laboratory in Murmansk to perform weathering studies of oils based on a well established methodology developed in Norway.

The Murmansk Centre for Standardization, Metrology and Certification (MCSM) was established in 1935 and is a federal laboratory which mainly receives samples from the North/West Russia. MCSM organization are divided into 5 laboratories which include several physical and chemical analysis such as product control from the industry, food and medicine control, microbiology and oil product analysis (e.g. petrol and diesel). MCSM has also long experiences of calibration of instruments and testing of navigation equipments.

Project description

The basis of the project is to perform weathering studies of two Russian crude oils for training, technology transfer and interlaboratory calibration. Two different Russian crude oils will be sampled and shipped to SINTEF for use in the training. Two laboratory personnel from MCSM will be trained in the weathering methodology at SINTEF Marine Environmental Technology facilities in Trondheim. Personnel from SINTEF will also perform training of laboratory personnel at MCSM in Murmansk during the project period. In addition, the project supplies MCSM with both necessary equipment and upgrading of necessary laboratory facilities.
The training and technology transfer includes the following main activities:

• Physical -chemical characterization of oils
• Topping (distillation) of oils
• Emulsion properties
• Dispersibility of weathered oils
• Prediction of oil weathering properties using  SINTEF oil weathering model (OWM)

The project is expected to be completed during 2007, and will be finalized by an interlaboratory test between the laboratories based on comparing analytical results of the same crude oils. A weathering manual for the two crude oils will be prepared in both English and Russian languages based on the intercalibration results.

For further information contact: