Subsurface Gas Release Tests for the EU MANIFESTS Genius Project

As part of the EU MANIFESTS Genius project, designed to enhance first responders' capabilities in addressing spills of volatile and gaseous chemicals, subsurface gas release tests were conducted by Institut Mines-Télécom in Alès in Cedre's testing basin. These experiments aimed to simulate a subsea pipeline gas leak (blowout) and investigate its various consequences and mitigation techniques.

Key objectives included:

1. Assess the consequences of a blowout at the sea surface (wave height and surface currents generated by gas bubbles);
2. Detect the gas cloud using Infra-Red cameras from ONERA;
3. Test the effectiveness of a water curtain on the gas clouds (again using Infra-Red cameras).

The tests included the injection of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, methane and ammonia. Additionally, the Fire and Emergency Services Department (SDIS 29) played a key role in deploying the water curtain to mitigate the methane cloud.