Response Library
In the wake of the Gulf of Mexico spill of 2010, industry mobilized itself and launched four Joint Industry Task Forces (JITFs) to critically assess capabilities and performance. Each JITF brought forth subject matter experts to identify best practices in offshore drilling operations and oil spill response and to share that knowledge across industry. The goal is to ensure environmental protection through enhanced safety.
The Oil Spill Preparedness and Response JITF examined industry’s ability to respond to a “Spill of National Significance (SONS)” and the actual response to the Gulf of Mexico spill. This program consists of the following seven work-streams:
- Spill Response Planning
- Oil Sensing and Tracking
- Dispersant
- In-Situ Burning
- Mechanical Recovery
- Shoreline Protection
- Alternative Response Technologies
- Inland.
API releases technical support document on spill impact mitigation assessment (SIMA)
IPIECA, API and IOGP have released a new publication – Guidelines on implementing spill impact mitigation assessment (SIMA) - produced in support of the IPIECA-IOGP guidance on net environmental benefit analysis (NEBA).

Spill Response Planning
Evaluation and Comparison of Habitat and Resource Equivalency Analysis as Used to Conduct OPA NRDA
American Petroleum Institute Guide to Reporting Process Safety Events Version 4.0
Sensitivity Analysis for Oil Fate and Exposure Modeling of a Subsea Blowout – Data Report
Guidelines on Implementing Spill Impact Mitigation Assessment (SIMA)
Guidelines for Oil Spill Response Training and Exercise Programs, API Technical Report 1159
Preparation of Response Plans for Oil Spills from Offshore Facilities, API Recommended Practice 1145
Personal Protective Equipment Selection for Oil Spill Responders, API Recommended Practice 98
Introduction to Net Environmental Benefit Analysis (NEBA)
Technical Guidance Supporting the Establishment of a VOC Action Level for GoM Crude Oil Incidents
Oil Sensing and Tracking
Remote Sensing in Support of Oil Spill Response, API Technical Report 1144
Dispersants
Dispersants Fact Sheet 1 - Introduction to Dispersants
Dispersants Fact Sheet 2 - Dispersants and Human Health and Safety
Dispersants Fact Sheet 3 - Fate of Oil and Weathering
Dispersants Fact Sheet 4 - Toxicity and Dispersants
Dispersants Fact Sheet 5 - Dispersant Use Approvals in the United States
Dispersants Fact Sheet 6 - Trade Offs
Dispersants Fact Sheet 7 - Aerial Vessel
Dispersants Fact Sheet 8 – Subsea and Point Source Dispersant Operations
Dispersant Fact Sheet 9 – Dispersant Use & Regulation Timeline
Dispersant Fact Sheet 10 – Dispersant Use in the Arctic Environment
Industry Recommended Subsea Dispersant Monitoring Plan—API Technical Report 1152, 2nd Edition
Introduction to the Role of Dispersants in Oil Spill Response
SINTEF Dispersants Effectiveness Report – Phase I
SINTEF Dispersants Effectiveness Report - Phase II
SINTEF Dispersants Effectiveness Report – Phase III
SINTEF Dispersants Effectiveness Report – Phase V
SINTEF Dispersants Effectiveness Report – Phase VI
Aerial and Vessel Dispersant Preparedness and Operations Guide, API Technical Report 1148
Report: Evaluation of Models for Subsurface Dispersant Injection
Industry Guidelines on Requesting Regulatory Concurrence for Subsea Dispersant Use, API Bulletin 4719
Industry Recommended Response Worker Safety Considerations for Requesting Regulatory Concurrence for Subsea Dispersant Use, API Bulletin 4719(b)
Sensitivity Analysis for Oil Fate and Exposure Modeling
In-Situ Burning
Fact Sheet 1: Introduction to In-Situ Burning
Fact Sheet 2: Fate of Burned Oil
Fact Sheet 3: Human Health and Environmental Effects
Fact Sheet 4: Assessing ISB Benefits and Risks
Fact Sheet 5: ISB Approval in the U.S.
Fact Sheet 6: ISB Operations
Field Operations Guide for In-situ Burning of Inland Oil Spills, API Technical Report 1251
Field Operations Guide for In-situ Burning of On-Water Oil Spills, API Technical Report 1252
API Selection and Training Guidelines for In Situ Burning Personnel, API Technical Report 1253
In-Situ Burning – The Fate of Burned Oil, API Publication 4735
In Situ Burning Guidance for Safety Officers and Safety and Health Professionals, API Technical Report 1254
In Situ Burning: A Decision Maker’s Guide, API Technical Report 1256
Comparison of Emissions from Burning of Petroleum, Petroleum-Derived Fuels, and Common Vegetative Fuels
Mechanical Recovery
Deepwater Horizon Mechanical Recovery System Evaluation, API Technical Report 1143
Shoreline Protection
Oil Spills in Marshes – Planning and Response Considerations, API Technical Report 1146
Subsurface Oil Detection and Delineation in Shoreline Sediments – Phase 1 Report, API Technical Report 1149-1
Subsurface Oil Detection and Delineation in Shoreline Sediments – Phase 2 Field Guide, API Technical Report 1149-2
Subsurface Oil Detection and Delineation in Shoreline Sediments – Phase 2 Report, API Technical Report 1149-2A
Shoreline Protection on Sand Beaches – Phase 1 Report, API Technical Report 1150-1
Shoreline Protection on Sand Beaches – Phase 2 Field Guide, API Technical Report 1150-2
Improvements for the Mechanized Cleanup of Oiled Sand Beaches – Phase 1 Report, API Technical Report 1151-1
Tidal Inlet Protection Strategies (TIPS) – Phase 1 Report, API Technical Report 1153-1
Tidal Inlet Protection Strategies (TIPS) – Phase 2 Field Guide, API Technical Report 1153-2
Biodegradation and Bioremediation of Oiled Beaches, API Technical Report 1147
Canine Oil Detection: Field Trials Report, API Technical Report 1149-3
Canine Oil Detection: (K9 – SCAT) Guidelines, API Technical Report 1149-4
Mechanical Treatment of Sand Beaches Historical Library Report, API Technical Report 1151-4
Shoreline In Situ Treatment (Sediment Mixing and Relocation) Fact Sheet, API Technical Report 1155-2
Shoreline In Situ Treatment (Sediment Mixing and Relocation) Job Aid, API Technical Report 1155-3
Shoreline In Situ Treatment (Sediment Mixing and Relocation) Library Report, API Technical Report 1155-1
Alternative Response Technologies
An Evaluation of the Alternative Response Technology Evaluation System (ARTES), API Technical Report 1142
Inland
Swift Water Spill Response Guide
Inland Oil Spill Preparedness and Response Overview
Sunken Oil Detection and Recovery, API Technical Report 1154-1
Sunken Oil Detection and Recovery Operational Guide, API Technical Report 1154-2
Options for Minimizing Environmental Impacts of Inland Spill Response, API Technical Report 425
Onshore Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Emergency Preparedness and Response, API Recommended Practice 1174
Natural Gas Liquids and Liquefied Petroleum Gas Emergency Response Guide
Latest Reports
API JITF Oil Spill Preparedness and Response Newsletter 2014
API JITF Oil Spill Preparedness and Response Newsletter 2013
Analysis of U.S. Oil Spillage