Development of an oil spill response cost-effectiveness analytical tool

The Oil Spill Response Cost-Effectiveness Analytical Tool (OSRCEAT) was developed to compare costs of response to benefits of response for hypothetical or actual oil spills. The web-based analytical tool can assist spill responders and contingency planners in decision-making processes and act as a basis of discussion in for evaluating response options. With user input on spill parameters, location, and response options, OSRCEAT calculates response cost, costs of environmental and socioeconomic impacts of the oil, and response impacts. Oil damages without any response are contrasted to oil damages with response (improvements that response offers). Response damages are subtracted from difference in damages with and without response to derive the response benefit. Response cost can then be compared to response benefit. The user can test various response options to compare potential response benefits so as to maximizing response benefit. OSRCEAT is best used to compare and contrast the relative benefits and costs of various response options.