Optimal location and capacity of emergency cleanup equipment for oil spill response

Myopic planning and tactical decision-making with regards to oil spill events result in severely inefficient cleanup efforts with high fixed, operating and cleanup/damage costs. We propose an integrated framework that addresses some important strategic issues such as determining the optimal location and capacity of cleanup equipment, taking into account their post event implications. We develop a linear integer programming model, exhibit its complexity and propose a solution method by solving a relaxation of the original problem. Realistic examples applied to the Florida peninsula are presented.