Hydrocarbon spill prevention

We evaluate the risk of spills occurring and potential impacts while taking numerous precautions to prevent spills and mitigate impact within our operations. Specialized designs, operating procedures, routine maintenance of our facilities, verifications and process safety best practices play a key role in preventing spills and protecting the environment where we operate.

We develop and maintain site-specific plans for identified facilities, including procedures for spill prevention, control and response. If a spill does occur, established practices and resources are deployed to control and mitigate the impact. We are also focused on strengthening our critical incident risk management capability through our systematic, multitiered approach to emergency preparedness and crisis management. Hydrocarbon spills impacting a sensitive area and spills greater than 100 barrels impacting the environment are immediately reported to our corporate office.

In 2024, we experienced two hydrocarbon spills to the environment greater than 100 barrels. The number of hydrocarbon spills to the environment greater than one barrel decreased in 2024. We had 34 spills that were greater than one barrel. Forty-nine percent of the spilled volume was fully recovered. None of our spills in 2024 impacted a shoreline.

In 2022, our methodology for reporting hydrocarbon spills to the environment was reviewed and updated to better align with Ipieca reporting standards. Total spill volumes for events are recorded distinctly for each impacted location and separated by the type and volume of each material. This approach is consistent with industry best practices and has allowed for a more accurate spill assessment by considering site-specific conditions and only reporting the volumes that are impacting the environment. Spill volumes prior to 2022 have not been adjusted to reflect this methodology update. 

View our Performance metrics.  

Emergency response partnerships

Emergency response partnerships are vital for effective disaster management. By uniting government agencies, nonprofits, private companies and community groups, these partnerships enhance preparedness, response and recovery efforts. We maintain memberships in several global response and containment partnerships as a key element of our emergency response preparedness program, complementing our internal response resources.

Oil Spill Response Organizations (OSROs)

We maintain memberships in several OSROs, many of which are not-for-profit cooperatives owned by member companies. We may actively participate in these organizations as members of the board of directors, steering committees, work groups or other supporting roles. In North America, our primary OSROs include the Marine Spill Response Corporation for the continental U.S. and Alaska Clean Seas and Ship Escort/Response Vessel System for the Alaska North Slope and Prince William Sound, respectively. Internationally, we maintain memberships in various OSROs, including Oil Spill Response Limited, the Norwegian Clean Seas Association for Operating Companies, the Australian Marine Oil Spill Center and Petroleum Industry of Malaysia Mutual Aid Group.

Read more about our emergency preparedness.