SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY (Saudi Aramco)
GENERAL INSTRUCTION MANUAL
GI NUMBER Approved
2.104
ISSUING ORG. MARINE DEPARTMENT
ISSUE DATE
10/01/2004
REPLACES
02/02/2002
SUBJECT OFFSHORE OIL SPILL REPORTING PROCEDURES
APPROVAL
PAGE NO.
1 OF 11
* CHANGE ** ADDITION NEW INSTRUCTION COMPLETE REVISION
CONTENTS:
This General Instruction describes the reporting, investigation and documentation requirements for any offshore
oil spill in Saudi Aramco operating areas, from a Saudi Aramco facility or from any third party vessel, or from
any unknown source. It contains information on the following:
1. Purpose
2. Definitions
3. Acronyms
4. Reasons for Reporting
5. Reporting Responsibilities
6. Investigation Procedures
7. Documentation & Distribution Requirements
8. Financial Letter of Guarantee
9. Treasurers Banking & Collection Division
ATTACHMENTS:
Offshore Leak & Spill Report, SA-5046.
POLICY AND OBJECTIVES:
Saudi Aramco is committed to the prevention of harmful effects of oil pollution to the offshore and onshore
environment in all areas of its operations.
However, Saudi Aramco's policy in safeguarding the offshore and onshore environment is to ensure that all
operating procedures, employees training and technical applications are aimed at preventing and/or
minimizing the accidental leak and/or spillage of liquid hydrocarbon substance.
Notwithstanding the above policy, should any leak or spillage occur, this General Instruction is to be fully
complied with at all times.
This General Instruction overrides any other General or Facility instruction and or directive as applied to the
reporting, investigating and/or documenting of Oil Leaks and Spills into the marine offshore environment.
SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY (Saudi Aramco)
GENERAL INSTRUCTION MANUAL
GI NUMBER Approved
2.104
ISSUING ORG. MARINE DEPARTMENT
ISSUE DATE
10/01/2004
REPLACES
02/02/2002
SUBJECT OFFSHORE OIL SPILL REPORTING PROCEDURES
APPROVAL
PAGE NO.
2 OF 11
* CHANGE ** ADDITION NEW INSTRUCTION COMPLETE REVISION
NOTES:
(1) It is important to immediately inform the Chairman of the Oil Spill Committee (OSC) of any oil spill that
may have an impact on vital Saudi Government or Saudi Aramco Facilities or environmentally sensitive
areas.
(2) In the case of simultaneous offshore oil spill with offshore disaster and only limited resources available,
the offshore disaster will take priority over the oil spill for accessing those resources.
(3) As soon as safely possible following the sighting of an oil spill from any source, the source of the spill
should be secured.
(4) Refer to the Arabian Gulf and Red Sea "Regional Oil Spill Contingency Plans" for detailed information
on oil spill response.
(5) Refer to G.I. 2.400 "Offshore Oil Spill Contingency Plan".
(6) Refer to G.I. 2.401, "Inland Oil Spill Contingency Plan" for information on response to inland oil spills.
(7) Refer to G.I. 6.001 "Notification Requirements for Incidents (Including Fires)"
(8) Refer to G.I. 6.003 "Guide For Committees Investigating Major Incidents and Engineering Reviews
of Other Incidents".
(9) Refer to Procedure 27 (Emergency Contracting Procedure) of the Saudi Aramco Contracting Manual
1.0 PURPOSE:
The purpose of this instruction is to outline the procedures for the reporting, investigating and
documenting oil leaks and spills which may result in a discharge of oil into the waters of the Arabian Gulf
or Red Sea. In addition, this instruction defines leaks/spills and identifies who is responsible for preparing
written documentation of the incident. The notification of a spill shall generate the spill response activity
described in the Arabian Gulf or Red Sea "Regional Oil Spill Contingency Plans" and G.I. 2.400 "Offshore
Oil Spill Contingency Plan".
SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY (Saudi Aramco)
GENERAL INSTRUCTION MANUAL
GI NUMBER Approved
2.104
ISSUING ORG. MARINE DEPARTMENT
ISSUE DATE
10/01/2004
REPLACES
02/02/2002
SUBJECT OFFSHORE OIL SPILL REPORTING PROCEDURES
APPROVAL
PAGE NO.
3 OF 11
* CHANGE ** ADDITION NEW INSTRUCTION COMPLETE REVISION
2.0 DEFINITIONS:
Oil: Means any liquid hydrocarbon substance.
Offshore: Means, for the purpose of this G.I., the waters of the Arabian Gulf & Red Sea up to
and including beaches to the spring high tide mark.
Leak or a spill: Any known or unknown source release of oil, regardless of the size or potential
impact, into the waters of the Saudi Aramco operating area.
3.0 ACRONYMS:
DCC Disaster Control Center
OSRT Oil Spill Response Team
ROSRC Regional Oil Spill Response Coordinator
GOSRD Global Oil Spill Response Director
OSR Oil Spill Report
MSAOOD Marine SA Offshore Operations Division
MODWR Marine Operations Division-Western Region
IO Internal Order
SEAPA Sea Ports Authorities
TPOD Terminal Pilotage Operations Division
PME Presidency of Meteorology and Environment
OSC Oil Spill Committee
SAA Saudi Aramco Affairs
PRD Public Relations Department
4.0 REASONS FOR REPORTING:
All leaks and spills must be reported in order to:
Fulfill the Company's obligations with respect to its Environmental Protection Policy.
Bring potentially dangerous situations to the attention of management.
Protect environmentally sensitive areas, and vital Saudi Aramco/Government Facilities.
Initiate action to contain, correct and cleanup leaks and spills.
Fulfill the Companys obligations to report spills to the Government of Saudi Arabia.
Investigate the cause of a spill and to take the corrective action to prevent reoccurrence of similar
incidents.
Provide support for claim action and recovery of cleanup costs from third parties causing the spill.
Provide information, which can serve as the basis for measuring progress in improving methods and
equipment for the prevention and cleanup of leaks and spills.
Obtain the required financial guarantees/letters of undertaking from vessels insurer/owner .
Request detentions of a vessel in Port until satisfactory financial guarantees are provided.
Protect the company from damage to its image and reputation that may result from negative publicity
due to a leak or spill.
SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY (Saudi Aramco)
GENERAL INSTRUCTION MANUAL
GI NUMBER Approved
2.104
ISSUING ORG. MARINE DEPARTMENT
ISSUE DATE
10/01/2004
REPLACES
02/02/2002
SUBJECT OFFSHORE OIL SPILL REPORTING PROCEDURES
APPROVAL
PAGE NO.
4 OF 11
* CHANGE ** ADDITION NEW INSTRUCTION COMPLETE REVISION
5.1 REPORTING RESPONSIBILITIES:
5.1.a All leaks and/or spills shall be immediately reported regardless of size or potential
impact. The level of Management notification, Oil Spill Response Team activation and
cleanup response initiation shall be decided by the respective area Regional Oil Spill
Response Coordinator in consultation with the Global Oil Spill Response Director
(GOSRD), as it may deem necessary.
5.1.b Persons observing a LEAK or SPILL shall Report it by the most rapid means
available to the Saudi Aramco Marine Shift Coordinators at Ras Tanura or Jeddah on
the 24-hour telephones: 03-678-1475/1405 (Ras Tanura), 02-427-5444/2597 (Jeddah)
or 02-425-4530/4528 (Rabigh).
5.2 In general the persons reporting the spill should provide the following information:
- Name of person reporting and /or observing the spill.
- Badge number.
- Contact number.
- Date and time.
- Location of spill.
- Size (length and width), colors (i.e. silver sheen, rainbow, brown, black) and area
covered.
- Source and cause of spill.
- Weather conditions: wind speed and direction, visibility and sea conditions.
- Action being taken.
5.3 Marine Shift Coordinator Shall:
5.3.1 Obtain and record all above information of the spill, as given by the spill
observer/reporter, on the initial Oil Spill Report (OSR).
5.3.2 Immediately notify the Regional Oil Spill Response Coordinator (ROSRC) for the
respective area.
5.3.3 Notify the Marine Pollution Control Support Foreman/MSAOOD at RT or Marine
Pollution Control Engineer/MODWR at Jeddah
5.3.4 Notify the Facility Superintendent or the Port Control Center (if tanker is involved or
suspected).
5.3.5 Complete the Initial Report with other relevant information required.
5.3.6 After the Oil Spill Initial Report has been reviewed and approved by ROSRC , distribute
copies to concerned parties as follows:
SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY (Saudi Aramco)
GENERAL INSTRUCTION MANUAL
GI NUMBER Approved
2.104
ISSUING ORG. MARINE DEPARTMENT
ISSUE DATE
10/01/2004
REPLACES
02/02/2002
SUBJECT OFFSHORE OIL SPILL REPORTING PROCEDURES
APPROVAL
PAGE NO.
5 OF 11
* CHANGE ** ADDITION NEW INSTRUCTION COMPLETE REVISION
Facility Superintendent or, Port Control Center (if a tanker is involved or suspected).
Respective area Loss Prevention Office.
Respective area Saudi Aramco Affairs Office.
Public Relations Department Office.
Regional Oil Spill Response Coordinator Office.
5.4 Pollution Control Engineer/ Marine Operations Foreman/Pollution Control Support
Foreman Shall:
5.4.1 Consult with ROSRC for an immediate response in respect to the cleanup action.
5.4.2 Ensure the readiness of all oil spill response resources, vessels and equipment.
5.4.3 Provide the sufficient qualified manpower to respond to the oil spill.
5.5 Regional Oil Spill Response Coordinator (ROSRC) shall :
5.5.1 Immediately assess the situation in terms of spill size, severity and impact and the
adequacy of the initiated response effort and the preventative measures required.
5.5.2 Notify Saudi Aramco/other facilities that might be threatened by the spill through Saudi
Aramco Affairs Representative.
5.5.3 Notify the necessary members of the Oil Spill Response Team (OSRT). Generally, all
members of the Oil Spill Response Team will be notified of a major oil spill. (Refer to
respective Regional Oil Spill Contingency Plans and G.I. 2.400 Offshore Oil Spill
Contingency Plan).
5.5.4 Develops the overall plan of action and priorities for the containment and cleanup of
the spill.
5.5.5 Notify the Global Oil Spill Response Director of the magnitude of the oil spill and if
additional response resource is required.
5.5.6 Coordinate and direct the oil spill clean-up operation with help of the OSRT, if deemed
necessary.
5.5.7 Carry the required procedures to initiate the Internal Order (IO) if needed and ensure
the cost data is kept current during oil spill cleanup work.
5.5.8 Monitor the local response of all Saudi Aramco facilities (SEAPAs response at Yanbu)
to combat the oil spill and assess situation to control the spilled oil.
SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY (Saudi Aramco)
GENERAL INSTRUCTION MANUAL
GI NUMBER Approved
2.104
ISSUING ORG. MARINE DEPARTMENT
ISSUE DATE
10/01/2004
REPLACES
02/02/2002
SUBJECT OFFSHORE OIL SPILL REPORTING PROCEDURES
APPROVAL
PAGE NO.
6 OF 11
* CHANGE ** ADDITION NEW INSTRUCTION COMPLETE REVISION
5.5.9 Determine the appropriate additional equipment and resources that are needed to
control the oil spill, or any assistance that can be provided by Saudi Aramco to
supplement SEAPAs response at Yanbu.
5.5.10 Assume overall responsibility for managing the OSRT activities to ensure a safe,
minimal environmental impact and efficient cleanup of any oil spill affecting the
companys fixed facilities, owned or chartered tankers.
5.6 Affected Area/Facility Manager shall:
Support the Regional Oil Spill Coordinator with the cleanup efforts, as required
5.7 Operating Facility Superintendent shall:
5.7.1 As safe as practical, ensure that the source of the oil spill is secured.
5.7.2 Initiate preliminary investigation of source and cause of spills originating from a
Saudi Aramco facility in coordination with the Regional oil Spill Response
Coordinator.
5.7.3 Immediately notify the Loss Prevention Duty Officer/Engineer of the oil spill.
5.7.4 Immediately notify the OSPAS Oil Planner/Dispatcher on telephone 03-874-6821/2 or
03-874-3003/4/5 for any spill that may curtail production of Terminal/Bulk Plant
Operations.
5.7.5 Immediately initiate Response using available Pollution Control Equipment at his
facility.
5.7.6 Immediately notify Duty Harbor Pilot at King Fahad Industrial Port Control on
telephone 396-7188 or 396-7177. The Duty Harbor Pilot shall initiate SEAPA's
response to combat the spill in accordance with "SEAPA Oil Spill Contingency Plan" for
King Fahad Industrial Port, Yanbu. (For Yanbu Only).
5.7.7 Immediately notify the Yanbu Gas & Terminal and/or Yanbu Refinery Marine
Advisor(s). (for Yanbu Only).
5.7.8 In case of Tanker oil spill the Terminal Pilotage Operation Division (TPOD) should
investigate/obtain all the required legal documentations; such as but not limited to:
Financial Guarantee for both the vessels insurers P&I Club and vessels owner
Pollution Notice
Master Statement of Fact
Pilot Investigation Report
SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY (Saudi Aramco)
GENERAL INSTRUCTION MANUAL
GI NUMBER Approved
2.104
ISSUING ORG. MARINE DEPARTMENT
ISSUE DATE
10/01/2004
REPLACES
02/02/2002
SUBJECT OFFSHORE OIL SPILL REPORTING PROCEDURES
APPROVAL
PAGE NO.
7 OF 11
* CHANGE ** ADDITION NEW INSTRUCTION COMPLETE REVISION
5.8 Local Saudi Aramco Affairs Department shall:
5.8.1 Inform Saudi Aramcos Administrator, Correspondence Services Division.
5.8.2 Inform Public Relations Departments Media Relations Unit Supervisor.
5.8.3 Inform Non Saudi Aramco Facility(s), if there is a potential risk of pollution to their
facilities.
5.8.4 Inform Sea Ports Authority (SEAPA) when the leak/spill is from a third party ship (for
Yanbu only).
5.8.5 Notify the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME), Marine Pollution
Response & Combating Center on Telephone: 02-651-6426 when the leak/spill is
reported by Saudi Aramco and /or threatens Saudi Aramco facilities, but not originating
from Saudi Aramco, its operations, vessels or areas.
5.8.6 Ensure that the appropriate Saudi Arab Government Ministries are notified as required
by applicable departmental directives.
5.9 Global Oil Spill Response Director (GOSRD) shall:
5.9.1 Brief the Oil Spill Committee Chairman as to the magnitude and extent of the spill.
5.9.2 Contact the Major Oil Spill Cooperatives, if their support is required.
5.9.3 Inform other regional oil spill organizations such as Regional Clean Sea Organization
(RECSO), if the spill might extend to their working area.
5.9.4 Review and approve all press releases related to oil spill, after consultation with Saudi
Aramco Public Relation Department and the Chairman of the Oil Spill Committee.
5.9.5 Oversee the clean-up operations and the oil spill response team, as deemed necessary.
5.9.6 Coordinate the prompt and effective corporate support to the ROSRC and his OSRT in
the event of oil spill emergencies affecting the company operations any where in the
world.
6.0 INVESTIGATION PROCEDURES:
6.1 All leaks and/or spills shall be investigated. The investigation shall be carried out in a
professional manner to the point that a report shall be developed indicating the reason for the
leak or spill and the actions taken to mitigate any damages as a consequence of the leak or
spill. It is of paramount importance that the investigative report documents any and all
failures of procedures, materials and/or omissions of actions of individuals in order to prevent
reoccurrence.
6.2 Leaks or spills less than 50 barrels resulting from Saudi Aramco facilities are to be
investigated by representatives of the Proponent Department, the Regional Oil Spill Response
SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY (Saudi Aramco)
GENERAL INSTRUCTION MANUAL
GI NUMBER Approved
2.104
ISSUING ORG. MARINE DEPARTMENT
ISSUE DATE
10/01/2004
REPLACES
02/02/2002
SUBJECT OFFSHORE OIL SPILL REPORTING PROCEDURES
APPROVAL
PAGE NO.
8 OF 11
* CHANGE ** ADDITION NEW INSTRUCTION COMPLETE REVISION
Coordinator and area Loss Prevention.
6.3 Leaks or spills less than 50 barrels resulting from tankers are to be investigated by
representatives of the Terminal Pilotage Operations Division, the Regional Oil Spill
Response Coordinator and Loss Prevention.
6.4 Leaks or spills in excess of 50 barrels and less than 1,000 barrels shall be investigated by a
committee consisting of at least:
Regional Oil Spill Response Coordinator (ROSRC)
Superintendent/ Shift Superintendent of Facility
Terminal Pilotage Operations Division (if tanker is involved or suspected).
Loss Prevention Representative
A member having specialized knowledge of the concerned facility. This is to be
assigned by the Chairman of the Oil Spill Committee as deemed necessary.
6.5 Leaks or spills in excess of 1,000 barrels shall be investigated by a committee in accordance
with G.I. 6.003. A representative of Global Oil Spill Response must be a member of this
committee
6.6 Offshore oil spills of unknown origin shall be investigated by the Regional Oil Spill Response
Coordinator (ROSRC). Assistance may be required from other Departments as deemed
necessary.
6.7 The resultant investigative reports will form part of the essential documentation procedures as
outlined in Section 7 of this G.I.
7.0 DOCUMENTATION AND DISTRIBUTION REQUIREMENTS:
7.1 The Regional Oil Spill Response Coordinator (ROSRC) shall prepare Saudi Aramco Form
5046 Leak and/or Spill Report-Offshore for each Offshore Oil Spill Incident.
7.2 Form A-5046 shall in all cases be initiated within five working days of the date of the
incident from the office of the ROSRC. It will carry the Oil Spill Reference Number and
immediate details of the leak and/or spill incident as noted on the Oil Spill Initial Report
received from the Marine Shift Coordinators.
7.3 The Regional Oil Spill Response Coordinator (ROSRC) will route the form through the
Marine Pollution Control Support Unit/ Marine Operations Division for completion of the
section titled "Cleanup Operation" and for comments and signature when Marines resources
are used in combating the spill. The form is to be returned to ROSRC for revision.
7.4 The Regional Oil Spill Response Coordinator (ROSRC) shall forward form SA-5046 to the
Facility Superintendent/ Investigating Committee for comments and they should attach their
investigative report required under section 6 of this G.I. The facility Superintendent should
SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY (Saudi Aramco)
GENERAL INSTRUCTION MANUAL
GI NUMBER Approved
2.104
ISSUING ORG. MARINE DEPARTMENT
ISSUE DATE
10/01/2004
REPLACES
02/02/2002
SUBJECT OFFSHORE OIL SPILL REPORTING PROCEDURES
APPROVAL
PAGE NO.
9 OF 11
* CHANGE ** ADDITION NEW INSTRUCTION COMPLETE REVISION
review and add his comments to the incidents' report for leaks and spills of unknown source
in his area of operation.
7.5 SA-5046 will then be routed through the Proponent Department Manager for his comments
and signature prior to returning the completed document to the Regional Oil Spill Response
Coordinator (ROSRC) office for further processing and final distribution.
7.6 Copies of form SA-5046 Leak and/or Spill Report-Offshore are to be distributed as
follows:
Global Oil Spill Response Director
Facility Superintendent or Port Captain (if tanker is involved).
Regional Oil Spill Response Coordinator (ROSRC)
Manager, Saudi Aramco Public Relations.
Administrator, Risk Management Division.
Area Loss Prevention Division.
Manager, Saudi Aramco Affairs
Environmental Protection Department.
8.0 FINANCIAL LETTER OF GUARANTEE:
8.1 The original Financial Letter of Guarantee as produced by the vessel's insurers P&I Club
must be deposited with the respective Accounting Division at the respective area Shipping
Account Unit by the vessel's agent.
8.2 The Shift Supervisor Shipping Account will, prior to officially receiving the original signed
"Financial Letter of Guarantee" on behalf of Treasurers Banking, Credit and Collection
Division, transmit a copy of the "Financial Letter of Guarantee" by facsimile machine to the
Senior/ Duty Harbor Pilot for his immediate review.
8.3 The review by the Senior/Duty Harbor Pilot of the facsimile copy of the letter of guarantee
from the shift Supervisor "Shipping Account is to ensure compliance with the wording as
based upon the Saudi Aramco form. Any alternative wording will be transmitted by the
Senior Harbor Pilot to the Law Department for their concurrence prior to allowing the vessel
to sail.
8.4 In case of failure to provide such financial guarantee letters, Tankship Technical Support Unit
will inform the Treasurers Banking, Credit & Collections Division that original financial
guarantee letters of undertaking, as outlined in 8.1 above, have not been deposited with
respective area Shipping Account Unit by the P&I Club's duly appointed agents prior to
intended departure from berth and request Government Affairs, through the Port Captain, for
assistance to have the vessel causing the leak or spill held.
SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY (Saudi Aramco)
GENERAL INSTRUCTION MANUAL
GI NUMBER Approved
2.104
ISSUING ORG. MARINE DEPARTMENT
ISSUE DATE
10/01/2004
REPLACES
02/02/2002
SUBJECT OFFSHORE OIL SPILL REPORTING PROCEDURES
APPROVAL
PAGE NO.
10 OF 11
* CHANGE ** ADDITION NEW INSTRUCTION COMPLETE REVISION
9.0 TREASURER'S BANKING, CREDIT AND COLLECTION DIVISION SHALL:
9.1 Arrange for the collection of the original financial guarantee and letter of undertaking from
respective area Shipping Account Unit.
9.2 Hold the original financial guarantee and letter of undertaking until payment of claim is
received.
RECOMMENDED BY:
MANAGER, MARINE DEPARTMENT
CONCURRED BY:
VICE PRESIDENT, DISTRIBUTION & TERMINAL OPERATIONS
VICE PRESIDENT, REFINING
VICE PRESIDENT, SAUDI ARAMCO AFFAIRS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, INDUSTRIAL SERVICES
APPROVED BY:
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, ENGINEERING & OPERATIONS SERVICES
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, REFINING, MARKETING & INTERNATIONAL
ATTACHMENT I
LEAK AND/OR SPILL REPORT/OFFSHORE
Saudi Aramco 5046 (4/96)
Report required for all reportable leaks or spills that occur offshore.
Refer to General Instruction 2.104
Oil Spill
Ref. No.
Responsible
Division/Unit
Data & Time of Origin Date & Time Of Discovery Materials Spilled
S.P. Accnt.
No.
OSR-RS
Location Description Discovered by: Name. Badge no. Job Title. Date & Time Wind and Sea Conditions
Knots Degrees.
Source and Cause of Spill Ship Name Off taker Agent LR No.
Area Length in Feet Width in Feet Covered % Area in Sq.Ft. % Area Black % Area Irrid. % Area Sheen
Calic.
Barrels
1
2
3
Shoreline Contamination
Total Observed Barrels
Estimated Low Barrels
Total
Area
Estimated High Barrels
Cleanup Commence: Date: Time: Cleanup Completed: Date: Time:
Cleanup
Operation
Equipment Used Time Used (Hrs.) Recovered Barrels (Oil) Dispersant Used (Galls.)
Signature & Date Comments
From
Cleanup
Supt.
Property
Damage/
Personal
Injures
Possible
Preventive
Measures
Person
Preparing
Report
Position/
Badge No.)
Signature & Date Comments
From
Facility
Supt.
Signature & Date Comments
From
Operating
Manager
DISTRIBUTIO
N:
1st Copy - Global Oil Spill Response Director
2nd Copy - Facility Superintendent or Port Captain
3
rd
Copy - Regional Oil Spill Response Coordinator
4
th
Copy - Administrator, Risk Management Div.
5th Copy - Environmental Coordination Division
6th Copy - Area Loss Prevention Office
7th Copy - Manager, Saudi Aramco Public Relations
8th Copy - Manager, Saudi Aramco Affairs-
