Our History

Four decades of leadership in oil spill response

A collaborative beginning

OSRL’s story began in the 1980s when leading oil companies recognised the need for a dedicated, industry-wide response capability to manage oil spills more effectively. Understanding that spills were a shared challenge rather than the responsibility of individual companies, BP, Esso, Texaco, Petro-Canada, and Mobil came together to form what is now OSRL.

What began as a small cooperative based in the UK, quickly evolved into a global industry partner, built on the principle that collaboration strengthens preparedness and response capabilities across the industry.

Global impact: supporting our members

Since our first response in 1984, OSRL has supported members through more than 400 spill incidents worldwide. From small operational spills to major global events, we have consistently provided expertise, resources, and strategic coordination to help mitigate risks and ensure effective response efforts.

The Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989 was a turning point, underscoring the need for a globally coordinated response organisation. OSRL was among the first international response organisations to provide expertise and specialist resources, and this pivotal moment led to a significant expansion in membership, growing from just five founding companies to 17 members by the end of that year. Today, we serve over 40 shareholders and more than 125 associate members, representing two-thirds of the world’s oil production.