Collaborating to test our response capability

Emergency Preparedness and Response Coordinator Natasha Carroll, recently coordinated an offshore oil response exercise involving multiple external and internal stakeholders to test Esso Australia’s spill response capabilities.

The exercise, held at Barry Beach, included mobilising oil spill response equipment and trained personal from Australian Marine Oil Spill Centre (AMOSC), in Geelong, and involved key people in the Esso Australia team, Gippsland Ports, management and crew of Esso’s platform support vessel the Skandi Feisten, and the Barry Beach Marine Terminal operator, Qube. 

“The Australian Marine Oil Spill Centre brings together various industry specialists, including from other companies, to assist in oil spill responses, so we also had members from BP and Viva participate,” said Natasha.

During the exercise, the team successfully deployed an offshore containment and recovery boom, an oil spill response skimmer system and set up the vessel dispersant spray system from the Skandi Feisten.

“Our priority at all times is on maintaining safe operation of our facilities, however, we also need to ensure we are prepared to respond quickly and effectively in the unlikely event of an incident,” said Natasha.

“As part of this preparation, we regularly conduct field deployment exercises, which bring together all the various stakeholders who would be involved in responding to an offshore incident, to test our equipment and processes.”

Natasha has enjoyed a 20-year career with ExxonMobil so far, across a number of roles supporting Australia and Papua New Guinea.

“After completing my Bachelor of Science (Aquatic Science) with a major in Chemistry at Deakin University, my first role at Esso Australia was a chemist at Long Island Point,” said Natasha.

“Since then, I have enjoyed a diverse career, holding eight different roles including as an Offshore Environmental Advisor, an External Lender Compliance Supervisor for PNG LNG and as Safety, Security, Health and Environment Lead for the Australian Drilling Team.”

Natasha appreciates the opportunity to learn about a new aspect of our business in her current Emergency Preparedness and Response Coordinator role. 

“Being the Emergency Preparedness and Response Coordinator provides me the opportunity to utilise my environmental risk management experience to ensure our preparation and incident response capabilities will minimise impacts on the environment.”