Oil containment employs various methods and technologies to prevent oil spills from spreading and causing environmental damage. In water-based scenarios, containment booms are often deployed to form a barrier around the spilled oil, preventing it from spreading further. These booms can be floating or submerged, and they trap the oil on the water's surface, making it easier to recover. Sorbent materials are also used to absorb and contain the oil.
On land, primary containment measures, such as well-maintained storage facilities and monitoring systems, aim to prevent spills from occurring. In a spill, secondary containment systems act as a backup to prevent oil from seeping into the ground or water.
