An Agent-based Simulation-optimization Coupling Approach for Device Allocation and Operation Control in Response to Offshore Oil Spills

• Main Authors: Li, Pu, Chen, Bing, Li, Zelin, Jing, Liang
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Proceedings of the International Conference on Marine and Freshwater Environments (iMFE 2014) - Our Water, Our Future 2014
• Subjects: Newfoundland
• Online Access: http://journals.library.mun.ca/index.php/IMFE/article/view/1262

The efficiency of offshore oil spill response not only relies on an efficaciously global decision/planning in devices combination and allocation, but also depends on the timely control for response devices (e.g., skimmers and booms). However, few study has reported on such decision framework with timely integration of global planning and operation control to support the offshore oil spill recovery. This study developed an agent-based simulation-optimization coupling approach to provide sound decisions for devices combination and allocation for offshore oil spill recovery in a fast, dynamic and cost-efficient manner under uncertain conditions. At the same time, the approach aimed at providing operation control for specific devices, reflecting the site conditions, and correspondingly real-time adjusting the global planning, which was especially helpful to harsh environments prevailing in the Newfoundland offshore areas. In the case study, the developed approach was applied to determine the allocation of 3 response vessels from 7 different locations of the spilled oil slicks. The routes of the response vessels for response operation were optimized and reflected by the principle agent-based programming. The modeling results indicated a minimal time of 21 hours for vessels allocation and recovery operation when only considered oil recovery, leading to an oil recovery rate of 90%. The proposed approach can timely and effectively support optimal allocation of devices and control of operation as well as real-time adjustment of global decision for oil recovery under dynamic conditions and improve recovery efficiency.