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Lukoil-Bunker LLC held an oil spill reponse exercise in Novorossiysk last week, the Russian oil firm has confirmed.

The exercise [pictured] was held on August 14, 2014, at anchorage 412 in Novorossiysk.

According to Lukoil, the purpose of the exercise was:

1. To practice cooperation between the units of Lukoil-Bunker LLC and the Azov - Black Sea Branch of the State Marine Emergency Rescue Service of Russia, FSI Gosmorspassluzhba, during localization and oil spill response activities in the waters of Novorossiysk, Kavkaz, Taman, Tuapse and Sochi.

2. To improve the skills of the bunker tanker crew in localization and oil spill response activities within the seaport area.

3. To practice the organization of the activities of the company’s Committee for Emergency Prevention and Fire Safety as well as the operational headquarters for oil spill response activities in case of emergency in the area.

4. To practice the organization of communication and warning when implementing activities related to the localization and prevention of emergencies and their consequences.

The oil spill exercise involved the crew of the tanker Aginskoye, the standby resources of the Azov - Black Sea Branch of FSI Gosmorspassluzhba and Novoecoservis LLC, equipment and onboard facilities of vessels and the emergency rescue unit, which included oil spill booms, skimmers, vacuum units, motor boats and automotive equipment.

"The representatives of control and supervisory bodies who were observing the exercise marked the high level of the Aginskoye crew qualification, good teamwork of all units involved in responding to the simulated spill. According to the conclusion, the goal of the exercise has been achieved, recommendations have been given on further improvement of the Company’s personnel training and on organization of more exercises of this type," Lukoil said.