Integrating Multi-Criteria Decision Method for Improved Oil Spill Management

Abstract

Environmental project decision-making is often complex due to trade-offs among socio-political, ecological, environmental, and economic factors. In oil spill management and contaminated site remediation, these decisions are further complicated by regulatory frameworks and additional criteria such as; cost-benefit distribution, safety, ecological risks, and human values. This study applied Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) to optimize oil spill management in Delta State, Nigeria. Stakeholders were surveyed, and both offshore and onshore oil facilities were identified. Criteria and alternatives were developed and integrated into matrices scored from 0 to 100% across key factors, including environmental, technological, economic, and socio-political dimensions. Using Intelligent Decision System software, weights were assigned to reflect the relative importance of each criterion. Results showed a 68% preference for dispersant use in deep offshore areas, 73% for containment and recovery near sensitive shorelines, and 63% for similar methods farther from shore. For tier 3 oil spills, dispersant use was rated highest at 81%. This approach decomposed a complex problem into analyzable units and produced a stakeholder-informed decision template for oil spill response in Delta State. The template serves as a data-driven tool for policymakers and regulators, supports community awareness, and provides cost-saving opportunities for oil operators through pre-positioning of response equipment. This research broadens the practical use of MCDA in environmental management and offers a scalable model that can be replicated in other oil-producing states. With refinement, it holds the potential to contribute to a national oil spill response reference manual for Nigeria.