Oil spill response Boeing 727s to be replaced by 737-800s
May 25, 2025
Oil Spill Response Limited (OSRL) is a global oil spill response co-operative that provides preparedness, response, and intervention services across three continents.
2Excel Aviation acts as a delivery partner for OSRL, operating a number of aircraft equipped with dispersant delivery systems for oil spill response. These include two Boeing 727s equipped with the company’s own TERSUS system, which was designed, built, tested, and certified by 2Excel’s in-house Capability Development Team. The unique Tersus dispersant delivery system is claimed to be the only fully compliant aviation solution available to support the oil and gas industry, and is capable of precisely spraying up to 6,800kg (15,000lb) of dispersant.
2Excel claim that the OSRL/2Excel collaboration is the only provider meeting stringent aviation safety regulations, where no other entity is current or future compliant.
2Excel began working together with OSRL when the first of the 727s was delivered to them in June 2013. The second aircraft was delivered in August 2014. The two aircraft are both Boeing 727-2S2Fs, and are registered as G-OSRA (c/n 22938) and G-OSRB (c/n 22929).
An initial contract was effectively extended by ten years (out to 2028) in 2018, aiming to provide ‘Global Reach Capabilities’ and future proofing the aircraft with innovative avionics while continually evolving the aircrew training programme to ensure the safety of the highly skilled and experienced Special Operations team.
The company noted then that: “Over the last two years the partnership has completed over 300 exercises, with 100% system reliability, throughout Africa and Europe and is proud of its resilience and unique position in the industry.”
Operating from the UK, the response specialists are on standby to be airborne and loaded with dispersant within four hours.
Andy Offer, the co-founder and Director of 2Excel Group, said: “Securing the next generation Global Wide Area Dispersant Service contract continues a highly successful partnership between 2Excel Group and Oil Spill Response Ltd. Our proven Tersus delivery system is deployed to exacting industry standards and carefully designed to reduce the impact to the environment whilst combatting spills effectively. Combined with our dedicated and highly skilled aircrews, 2Excel stands ready with OSRL to tackle oil spills anywhere in the world if called upon.”
The new global wide area oil spill dispersant service will begin operation in 2028, using a pair of specially modified Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The new aircraft will offer a significant reduction in fuel burn compared to the current 727s, and OSRL chief executive Vania De Stefani noted that: “The new aircraft will help align with our sustainability goals, with reduced fuel burn and carbon emissions.”
The two 737-800s will be converted in-house by 2Excel to be able to spray dispersant chemicals to contain oil spills, using an enhanced Tersus II system, which will employ improved components that promise to give a longer life and enhanced performance.
The aircraft will be hangered and available to deploy worldwide at six hours’ notice, helping to minimise the effect an oil spill may have on the environment. The aircraft will jave a ‘flight in known icing condtions’ capability.
OSRL chief executive Vania De Stefani said that: “We are pleased to continue our collaboration with 2Excel. With the two new modified aircraft, we will be able to offer an enhanced capability along with an efficient response service to ensure we can support our members effectively, anytime, anywhere.”
