11 June 2010
The size and
scope of the ecological disaster impacting the Southern United States is
beyond comprehension. This last week, a question was presented to engineers
regarding what it would take to cap the well head... in short it took 30
minutes to frame a strategic plan, a starting point for a plan that could
have been developed and implemented within hours of the onset of this emergency.
If an event threatens
the ecology and economy of the United States, it is a national security issue
and needs to be treated as such. In the context of the economic
destruction to the entire Southeastern corner of the United States, I would
like to know when formal disaster declarations will be advanced on a state
by state, then federal level. On behalf of the International Veterinary Public Health
Consortium, I would like to advance an appeal for
emergency assistance to address the crisis impacting the animals and wildlife
in the region.
Stephen M. Apatow, Founder, Humanitarian Resource Institute and United Nations
Arts Initiative.
------------------------------------
Summary oveviews of recent contingency planning discussions.
8 June 2010
Humanitarian Resource Institute
Phone:
(203) 668-0282
Url: www.humanitarian.net
International Disaster Information
Network
Url: http://www.humanitarian.net/idin
Global Preparedness &
Response Network
Url: http://www.humanitarian.net/gprn
Dear Colleagues:
I would like to join Secretary
General Ban Ki-moon in the celebration of World Oceans Day. [1]
In conjunction with this event,
I would also like to focus your attention on contingency discussions associated
with rapid containment of underwater oil pipeline emergencies, the size and
scope of BP Gulf Platform Disaster.
One of our current background
engineering discussions includes the use of underwater pozzolanic cements
[2,3] for rapid permanent containment of a pipeline emergency. This
would include construction of a top cap with vents and use of chemical resistant
cements to finalize a seal for permanent containment. Per input from Ceratech
[4] engineer Peter Bruce, an emergency a top cap could be poured
with venting (30'-50' x 30'-50') within a 24-48 hour period, with a 48 hour
travel time that allows strengthening to 5000 psi. Once shipped to
the disaster site, the cap would be lowered over the well head and specialized
pumps would direct a chemical resistant cement, to finalize a seal for permanent
containment.
This represents one of the
engineering analysis and contingency discussions regarding technologies that
could be used by DOD/NATO and UN member countries, to accomplish permanent
containment of an underwater oil pipeline incident. In conjunction
with immediate containment of the emergency in the Gulf, HRI's goal is the
development of a contingency plan with global operational capabilities.
References:
1. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s
Message for World Oceans Day: United Nations Environment Programme.
Url: http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=629&ArticleID=6614&l=en
2. What is the history of Pozzolanic
cement and mortar. Url: http://www.helium.com/items/371775-what-is-the-history-of-pozzolanic-cement-and-mortar
3. Cement history: WHD Microanalysis
Consultants, Ltd. Url: http://www.understanding-cement.com/history.html
4. CERATECH, Inc.: 1500
North Beauregard St., Suite 320, Alexandria, VA 22311. Phone: 1-800-581-8397
Internet: www.ceratechinc.com Field
Engineer: Peter Bruce: (443) 524-4408
Looking forward to feedback,
Stephen M. Apatow
-----------------------------------
1 June 2010
Humanitarian Resource Institute
Phone:
(203) 668-0282
Url: www.humanitarian.net
International Disaster Information
Network
Url: http://www.humanitarian.net/idin
Global Preparedness &
Response Network
Url: http://www.humanitarian.net/gprn
Dear Colleagues:
The Gulf of Mexico Oil Platform
disaster has focused attention on our state of preparedness for terrorist
incidents against critical infrastructure, that includes oil refinery operations,
chemical plants, etc., etc. [1] The ecological disaster in Gulf demonstrates
to the world our current state of preparedness.
The inability to facilitate
immediate containment by corporate and governmental agencies has prompted
a call for the Department or Defense to implement measures to contain this
ecological disaster, not in August, but by the end of the day/week (as our
contingency plans should facilitate and DOD capabilities can accomplish).
Again, I emphasize this is
an anti-terrorism containment, contingency plan scenario.
References:
1. Contingency Planning:
Year 2000 Conversion, Global Infrastructure Analysis, Humanitarian Resource
Institute. Url: http://www.humanitarian.net/contingency.html
Looking forward to feedback,
Stephen M. Apatow
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