Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana, Florida, Texas, Mississippi – In response to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill emergency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration employed EAS to support its Natural Resource Damage Assessment of the MC252 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. EAS played a key role in developing and performing sampling operations in the Gulf of Mexico.

From 2010 through 2011, EAS established satellite sample intake facilities, developed rapid sample intake and sample accessioning protocols, and provided cruise sampling support throughout the Gulf region. The company assisted with sampling campaigns on land and aboard research vessels; managed sample receiving, accessioning, and shipping activities; and performed field data reviews and uploads. EAS also assisted NOAA in developing and providing sample collection training to field teams and trustees throughout the Gulf of Mexico. NOAA chief scientists specifically requested that EAS personnel lead sampling and data management operations aboard NOAA cruise vessels.

Brett Tiller, EAS CEO and principal scientist, was instrumental in recruiting and retaining qualified personnel, establishing the satellite sample intake facilities, developing rapid sample intake and sample accessioning protocols, administering sample collection training to field teams Gulf-wide, and providing the large staff resource pools necessary to accomplish this assessment. Working in emergency-response mode, EAS performed more than 100,000 staff labor hours on this project with no significant safety or quality-related issues.