ASTM F2067-22

Standard Practice for Development and Use of Oil-Spill Trajectory Models

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 Trajectory models are used to predict the future movement and fate of oil (forecast mode) in contingency planning, in exercises and during real spill events. This information is used for planning purposes to position equipment and response personnel in order to optimize a spill response. Oil-spill trajectory models are used in the development of scenarios for training and exercises. The use of models allows the scenario designer to develop incidents and situations in a realistic manner.  
3.2 Oil-spill trajectory models can be used in a statistical manner (stochastic mode) to identify the areas that may be impacted by oil spills.  
3.3 In those cases where the degree of risk at various locations from an unknown source is needed, trajectory models can be used in an inverse mode to identify the sources of the pollution (hindcast mode).  
3.4 Models can also be used to examine habitats, shorelines, or areas to predict if they would be hit with oil from a given source (receptor mode).
SCOPE
1.1 This practice describes the features and processes that should be included in an oil-spill trajectory and fate model.  
1.2 This practice applies only to oil-spill models and does not consider the broader need for models in other fields. This practice considers only computer-based models, and not physical modeling of oil-spill processes.  
1.3 This practice is applicable to all types of oil in oceans, lakes, and rivers under a variety of environmental and geographical conditions.  
1.4 This practice applies primarily to two-dimensional models. Consideration is given to three-dimensional models for complex flow regimes.  
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Oct-2022
• ICS: 75.180.10 - Exploratory, drilling and extraction equipment
• Technical Committee: F20 - Hazardous Substances and Oil Spill Response
• Drafting Committee: F20.16 - Surveillance and Tracking

Overview

ASTM F2067-22: Standard Practice for Development and Use of Oil-Spill Trajectory Models defines essential guidelines for computer-based modeling of the movement and fate of oil spills. Developed by ASTM International, this standard is crucial for robust oil spill contingency planning, response optimization, and risk assessment in marine, lake, and river environments. It outlines the necessary model features, data inputs, methodologies, and output requirements to ensure credible and actionable predictions during both training and real-world incidents. The standard applies globally, following internationally recognized principles for standardization.

Key Topics

• Purpose of Oil-Spill Trajectory Models

  • Predicts the movement and fate of oil during spills
  • Supports contingency planning, response positioning, and scenario training
  • Enables identification of potential impact areas and spill sources

• Model Types and Modes

  • Forecast mode for predicting oil movement in real-time scenarios
  • Stochastic mode for statistical risk mapping and probability analysis
  • Hindcast (inverse) mode to trace pollution sources
  • Receptor mode to assess risk to sensitive locations or habitats

• Input Requirements

  • High-resolution georeferenced base maps (GIS integration)
  • Accurate oil property datasets using standard crude descriptors
  • Time-series data for wind and ocean currents (advection drivers)
  • Consideration of wind-driven, tidal, and residual current patterns
  • River and estuary hydrology inputs, including river flow and geomorphology

• Model Characteristics

  • Division of oil slick into multiple moving particles
  • Simulation of key oil weathering processes: evaporation, emulsification, dissolution, natural dispersion, and sinking
  • Shoreline interaction modeling based on shoreline type and conditions
  • Integration of external observation data (e.g., remote sensing) for result adjustment
  • Calculation and communication of model uncertainties and confidence limits

• Output and Interpretation

  • Results presented via GIS-based maps, time-series graphs, and tables
  • Inclusion of confidence levels, uncertainty estimates, and scenario details (especially for stochastic outputs)
  • Emphasis on using model predictions as guidance- validated through ground-truth observations

Applications

Oil-spill trajectory models complying with ASTM F2067-22 offer significant practical value for:

• Oil Spill Response and Preparedness

  • Informing real-time decisions for equipment and resource allocation
  • Enhancing training exercises and improving the realism of simulated scenarios

• Environmental Protection

  • Assessing risk to sensitive habitats and shorelines
  • Supporting regulatory and stakeholder planning through transparent, reproducible modeling methodologies

• Risk Assessment and Incident Investigation

  • Identifying potential impact areas from unknown or historical spill sources
  • Enabling authorities and operators to prioritize areas for monitoring and protection

• Research and Development

  • Serving as a reference for model developers to meet recognized industry requirements
  • Providing a basis for comparison between available modeling software and tools

Related Standards

For a comprehensive approach to oil-spill modeling and response, consider referencing these related standards alongside ASTM F2067-22:

• ASTM F1776 - Standard Guide for Development of Spill Plans
• ASTM F2082 - Standard Guide for Use of Remote Sensing in Emergency Response to Oil Spills
• ISO 19698 - Oil Spill Response – Elements for Response Planning
• ASTM F2490 - Standard Guide for Measurement of Oil Thickness on Water by Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems

Adopting ASTM F2067-22 helps organizations align their oil-spill modeling practices with international best practices, enhancing both preparedness and response capabilities.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F2067 − 22
Standard Practice for
Development and Use of Oil-Spill Trajectory Models
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2067; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3. Significance and Use
1.1 This practice describes the features and processes that 3.1 Trajectory models are used to predict the future move-
should be included in an oil-spill trajectory and fate model. ment and fate of oil (forecast mode) in contingency planning,
in exercises and during real spill events. This information is
1.2 This practice applies only to oil-spill models and does
used for planning purposes to position equipment and response
not consider the broader need for models in other fields. This
personnel in order to optimize a spill response. Oil-spill
practice considers only computer-based models, and not physi-
trajectory models are used in the development of scenarios for
cal modeling of oil-spill processes.
training and exercises. The use of models allows the scenario
1.3 This practice is applicable to all types of oil in oceans,
designer to develop incidents and situations in a realistic
lakes, and rivers under a variety of environmental and geo-
manner.
graphical conditions.
3.2 Oil-spill trajectory models can be used in a statistical
1.4 This practice applies primarily to two-dimensional mod-
manner (stochastic mode) to identify the areas that may be
els. Consideration is given to three-dimensional models for
impacted by oil spills.
complex flow regimes.
3.3 In those cases where the degree of risk at various
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
locations from an unknown source is needed, trajectory models
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
can be used in an inverse mode to identify the sources of the
standard.
pollution (hindcast mode).
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.4 Models can also be used to examine habitats, shorelines,
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
or areas to predict if they would be hit with oil from a given
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
source (receptor mode).
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical 4. Modelling Methods
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
4.1 Models simulate the movement of oil on water, calcu-
lates the various weathering processes and considers the
2. Terminology
interaction of the oil with the shoreline. The input data needed
2.1 Definitions:
by the model includes area maps, oil properties, and spatial and
2.1.1 trajectory model—a computer-based program that pre- temporal vectors of wind and ocean currents. In some models,
dicts the motion and fate of oil on water as a function of time.
there are separate programs for advection and fate. In some
2.1.1.1 Discussion—Input parameters include oil properties,
cases, the fate models calculate weathering on the total mass of
weather, and oceanographic information. There are four differ-
theoilratherthanonindividualparticles.Somemodelsinclude
ent modes: forecast, hindcast, stochastic, and receptor.
response strategies (skimming, burning, dispersing, and so
forth) and the effect of these on the mass balance.
2.1.2 contingency planning—planning of several types to
prepare for oil spills.
4.2 Thecomputermodelcalculatesthesurfacefateoftheoil
2.1.2.1 Discussion—This planning can include modeling
using physical and chemical properties of the oil and weath-
suchasdescribedinthisguide,topredictwhereoilspillsmight
ering algorithms.
go and what the fate and properties of that oil would be.
4.3 The output of a model is a map showing oil-slick
locations as a function of time, and graphs and tables of the
weathering of the oil and mass balance.
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F20 on Hazardous
Substances and Oil Spill Response and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
4.4 The output of the model is subject to uncertainties,
F20.16 on Surveillance and Tracking.
primarily caused by uncertainties in the input data from
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2022. Published December 2022. Originally
forecast winds and predicted ocean currents.The model should
approved in 2000. Last previous edition approved in 2019 as F2067 – 19. DOI:
10.1520/F2067–22. include an estimate of the magnitude of these uncertainties. It
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F2067 − 22
should be recognized that models are only a tool and thus 5.4.5 The computation of ocean currents is complex and
outputs should always be confirmed by ground-truthing. should be supplemented by actual measurements using drifter
buoys and oceanographic current meters. In many situations,
5. Input Modelling Parameters simple current measurement using floating objects can be used
and are better than no measurements.
5.1 In order to generate a georeferenced output, it is
5.5 River and complex hydrology regimes are driven
necessary to have a suitable base map. This map should have
primarily by current which is constrained by shoreline bound-
a resolution in the order of 100 m near shore and 1 km in the
aries and geomorphology.
open ocean. The base-map data should be in a common
5.5.1 The complexity of river modeling varies with user
mapping format. The map should be vector-based in order that
needs and can vary from simple time and distance calculation
the output can be scaled to be consistent with the extent of the
to 3D grid models.
trajectory. The data on the map should be organized in layers,
5.5.1.1 Time and distance calculations are used for response
with ocean current, wind fields, and trajectory information
plans to determine planning distances. Stream flows should be
available as separate layers. Other common layers are re-
taken from monitoring networks or a representative measure-
sourcesatrisk,sensitivehabitats,waterintakes,socioeconomic
ment in the absence of a monitoring network.
parameters, and so forth.
5.5.1.2 In areas where the potential for releases is high,
5.2 The physical and chemical properties of the oil are
more complex finite element models are required. These
needed in order to calculate the weathering of the oil.This data
complex models require tight boundary-fitted coordinate sys-
should be derived from readily available distillation data
tem to account for shorelines and varying channel s
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: F2067 − 19 F2067 − 22
Standard Practice for
Development and Use of Oil-Spill Trajectory Models
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2067; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This practice describes the features and processes that should be included in an oil-spill trajectory and fate model.
1.2 This practice applies only to oil-spill models and does not consider the broader need for models in other fields. This practice
considers only computer-based models, and not physical modeling of oil-spill processes.
1.3 This practice is applicable to all types of oil in oceans, lakes, and rivers under a variety of environmental and geographical
conditions.
1.4 This practice applies primarily to two-dimensional models. Consideration is given to three-dimensional models for complex
flow regimes.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Terminology
2.1 Definitions:
2.1.1 trajectory model—a computer-based program that predicts the motion and fate of oil on water as a function of time.
2.1.1.1 Discussion—
Input parameters include oil properties, weather, and oceanographic information. There are four different modes: forecast, hindcast,
stochastic, and receptor.
2.1.2 contingency planning—planning of several types to prepare for oil spills.
2.1.2.1 Discussion—
This planning can include modeling such as described in this guide, to predict where oil spills might go and what the fate and
properties of that oil would be.
3. Significance and Use
3.1 Trajectory models are used to predict the future movement and fate of oil (forecast mode) in contingency planning, in exercises
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F20 on Hazardous Substances and Oil Spill Response and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F20.16
on Surveillance and Tracking.
Current edition approved July 1, 2019Nov. 1, 2022. Published July 2019December 2022. Originally approved in 2000. Last previous edition approved in 20132019 as
F2067 – 13.F2067 – 19. DOI: 10.1520/F2067–19.10.1520/F2067–22.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F2067 − 22
and during real spill events. This information is used for planning purposes to position equipment and response personnel in order
to optimize a spill response. Oil-spill trajectory models are used in the development of scenarios for training and exercises. The
use of models allows the scenario designer to develop incidents and situations in a realistic manner.
3.2 Oil-spill trajectory models can be used in a statistical manner (stochastic mode) to identify the areas that may be impacted by
oil spills.
3.3 In those cases where the degree of risk at various locations from an unknown source is needed, trajectory models can be used
in an inverse mode to identify the sources of the pollution (hindcast mode).
3.4 Models can also be used to examine habitats, shorelines, or areas to predict if they would be hit with oil from a given source
(receptor mode).
4. Modelling Methods
4.1 Models simulate the movement of oil on water, calculates the various weathering processes and considers the interaction of
the oil with the shoreline. The input data needed by the model includes area maps, oil properties, and spatial and temporal vectors
of wind and ocean currents. In some models, there are separate programs for advection and fate. In some cases, the fate models
calculate weathering on the total mass of the oil rather than on individual particles. Some models include response strategies
(skimming, burning, dispersing, and so forth) and the effect of these on the mass balance.
4.2 The computer model calculates the surface fate of the oil using physical and chemical properties of the oil and weathering
algorithms.
4.3 The output of a model is a map showing oil-slick locations as a function of time, and graphs and tables of the weathering of
the oil and mass balance.
4.4 The output of the model is subject to uncertainties, primarily caused by uncertainties in the input data from forecast winds and
predicted ocean currents. The model should include an estimate of the magnitude of these uncertainties. It should be recognized
that models are only a tool and thus outputs should always be confirmed by ground-truthing.
5. Input Modelling Parameters
5.1 In order to generate a georeferenced output, it is necessary to have a suitable base map. This map should have a resolution
in the order of 100 m near shore and 1 km in the open ocean. The base-map data should be in a common mapping format. The
map should be vector-based in order that the output can be scaled to be consistent with the extent of the trajectory. The data on
the map should be organized in layers, with ocean current, wind fields, and trajectory information available as separate layers.
Other common layers are resources at risk, sensitive habitats, water intakes, socioeconomic parameters, and so forth.
5.2 The physical and chemical properties of the oil are needed in order to calculate the weathering of the oil. This data should be
derived from readily available distillation data curves and other standard oil-industry crude descriptors. Catalogues are available
that include parameters used in oil-spill trajectory models. The need for the determination of model-specific parameters should be
avoided where possible.
5.3 The spatial and temporal distribution of wind fields is required to drive the advection terms of the model. These wind fields
should be input as a time series of vectors, with separate inputs for each wind-data source. The modeling program should have
methods to interpolate the data from the individual wind observations. In some cases, weather data would be available as large
scale large-scale synoptic charts. The computer program should be able to translate these maps into the required wind fields.
5.4 The ocean current regime can be divided into three components: wind-driven currents, tidal currents, and residual currents.
5.4.1 The vector sum of these three currents is the spatial and temporal drivi
...