Will second time be a charm for Shell's "Containment Dome"?

Back in September we reported that Shell had suffered a major setback in their plans for exploratory drilling in the Arctic after a key component in their spill response arsenal, the "Containment Dome", was "crushed like a beer can" during routine testing. In emails obtained through a freedom of information request it was revealed that under calm conditions in the Puget Sound an electrical fault caused the dome to torpedo to the surface and then rapidly descend, crumpling the top portion of the steel dome in the process. Since the failed test Shell have been working to notably strengthen the dome, reinforcing it with an additional outer frame. Before the dome can be deployed in the Arctic it must first receive approval from the Bureau of Environmental Enforcement, and Nicholas Pardi, a spokesman for the BSEE confirmed "that approval will not be granted until the test is completed to our satisfaction". Last week the Arctic Challenger left the Port of Bellingham for Puget Sound for a second round of testing. Shell has conceived the dome as their "fourth line of defence" in the event that other primary systems fail to contain a spill. The dome would vacuum up any gushing oil and guide it to Shell's spill response vessel, the Arctic Challenger, for filtering. However, the modifications made to the dome will have done little to allay the fears of environmental groups and politicians alike that are fearful of the catastrophic effects that an oil spill in the Arctic would have. The Arctic Research Commission have already stated that oil spill tests need to be undertaken in the Arctic, which would give officials and Shell a clearer understanding of whether or not the equipment can function in adverse conditions. The Alaskan Arctic will pose many unparalleled difficulties for even multinational oil companies. Average summer temperatures are nearly -7°C and can go as low as -20°C while workers will also have to contend with gale force winds and miles of harsh conditions without any real infrastructure. Christophe de Margerie, the CEO of Total, recently took the unusual step of declaring that his company would not be attempting to drill for oil in the Arctic as the risks of a spill were just too high. If Shell's testing of the modified Containment Dome is successful then they will look to conduct further exploratory drilling in 2013.
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Environment Agency prevents "major environmental disaster".

The Environment Agency was called upon last Thursday and Friday to contain a potential spill of 4,000 litres of petrol that had been endangering spawning salmon in the River Tiddy in Cornwall. The petrol tanker was being towed on Thursday night when it overturned giving rise to a situation where the "fuel was pouring out", according to Darren Maynard of Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service.

As soon as the Environment Agency arrived on the scene they deployed booms and absorbent pads in an event to contain the spill.

Steve Marks, a spokesman for the Environment Agency confirmed that the operation had been successful and that "no significant pollution" had been detected in the river. He added that; "If the petrol had got into the water it would have been a major environmental disaster." The tank was sprayed with foam by the Fire Service to render it safe before it was allowed to be removed from the scene and the road was re-opened on Friday afternoon. Yet again the Environment Agency has demonstrated the importance of designing well drilled spill response procedures that effectively contain spills and protect fragile waterways.
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Bins are a "wheel" issue for Councillors

Local authorities in the UK have in recent weeks been digesting the awards of the government's Weekly Collection Support Scheme. Councils from Gravesham in Kent to Birmingham City have received grants to help provide more efficient refuse collection services and increase their recycling rates, while others, such as Leeds, have missed out. In order to achieve a more efficient recycling and refuse collection service local councils will be supplying residents with up to three wheelie bins for the purposes of recycling and refuse. However, not all residents in Birmingham city council are quite as enthused about the idea as the councillors behind the proposal which is pencilled in for implementation next April. Many residents have been quick to point out that certain areas in the city are not suitable for wheelie bins because of steep hills, steps leading out of driveways and a lack of space to house all the bins. Therefore the council is entering into consultation with residents and plans to engage in comprehensive door-to-door surveys in order to resolve any issues residents may have. One Labour councillor, Rob Pocock, who described the scheme as the "Government's bin bribe", has already undertaken surveys in his Sutton Vesey ward which resulted in a 60-40 spilt against the universal introduction of wheelie bins. The results also indicated an age divide that showed the older the resident, the more opposed they were to wheelie bins. One suggestion proposed by Coun Pocock that could resolve part of the issue was to introduce smaller bins for low waste households and in particular, for the elderly and the infirm. 75 Litre wheelie bins are less cumbersome and more compact and would be better suited for recycling purposes than the larger 240 Litre wheelie bins. Whatever the outcome of the planned consultation, local councils across the country need to try and move away from the traditional black refuse bag collections and introduce wheelie bins where it is practical to do so, as they offer a more durable, hygienic and efficient method for collecting waste and recycling.
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Bins are a "wheel" issue for Councillors

Local authorities in the UK have in recent weeks been digesting the awards of the government's Weekly Collection Support Scheme. Councils from Gravesham in Kent to Birmingham City have received grants to help provide more efficient refuse collection services and increase their recycling rates, while others, such as Leeds, have missed out. In order to achieve a more efficient recycling and refuse collection service local councils will be supplying residents with up to three wheelie bins for the purposes of recycling and refuse. However, not all residents in Birmingham city council are quite as enthused about the idea as the councillors behind the proposal which is pencilled in for implementation next April. Many residents have been quick to point out that certain areas in the city are not suitable for wheelie bins because of steep hills, steps leading out of driveways and a lack of space to house all the bins. Therefore the council is entering into consultation with residents and plans to engage in comprehensive door-to-door surveys in order to resolve any issues residents may have. One Labour councillor, Rob Pocock, who described the scheme as the "Government's bin bribe", has already undertaken surveys in his Sutton Vesey ward which resulted in a 60-40 spilt against the universal introduction of wheelie bins. The results also indicated an age divide that showed the older the resident, the more opposed they were to wheelie bins. One suggestion proposed by Coun Pocock that could resolve part of the issue was to introduce smaller bins for low waste households and in particular, for the elderly and the infirm. 75 Litre wheelie bins are less cumbersome and more compact and would be better suited for recycling purposes than the larger 240 Litre wheelie bins. Whatever the outcome of the planned consultation, local councils across the country need to try and move away from the traditional black refuse bag collections and introduce wheelie bins where it is practical to do so, as they offer a more durable, hygienic and efficient method for collecting waste and recycling.
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How to Protect Your Tank from Fuel Theft

Tayside Police have today issued a warning for people to be on their guard after thieves stole 1,000 litres of fuel from the Ballumbie golf club in Dundee. Police are also investigating the theft of fuel from a lorry parked in Dryburgh Industrial Estate. This follows the recent increase in fuel thefts across the country as the price of petrol soared in the last 12 months. According to statistics compiled from 36 of the UK's 52 local police forces there were around 8,235 cases of reported fuel theft in 2011. Other than keeping your vehicle in a secure garage there isn't too much you can do to prevent a determined criminal drilling into your cars fuel tank. However, if you are a commercial or industrial business, or if you have a home heating oil tank then there are preventative measures you can take to keep your fuel secure and out of the hands of thieves. If you own a bunded tank then it's unlikely that even the most organised criminal gangs would be daft enough to drill into it. However, there are other, even more daring methods that can be used to get away with your precious oil. For instance, it is not unheard of for tanks to be picked up by forklift trucks, lifted on to a large enough getaway vehicle and driven away. Or, they may be even more brazen and attempt to lift the tank using the existing lifting eyes that are in situ. There are ways around this though. At Yellowshield we have "Anti-Theft" upgrades available on our steel bunded fuel tanks that can resist the attempts of fuel thieves. Firstly, we offer "anti-lift feet". Essentially they are RSJ's that run the full length of the tank making it impossible for it to be moved by a forklift truck. Secondly, we supply removable lifting eyes, so once the tank has been placed in position, the eyes can be removed and stored somewhere secure. If you wish to make your tank as impenetrable as Alcatraz, then we also provide tank alarm accessories that will warn you as soon as someone attempts to tamper with your tank. We may not be able to help protect your vehicle but we are as determined as the criminals when it comes to helping protect your bunded fuel tanks.
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