More than 100 federal and state authorities and private-sector firms are set to take part in the Spill of National Significance (SONS) training exercise taking place off the coast of Maine later this month.

The event, which takes place at a different location in the US every three years, has been organised by federal departments of Defense, Labor, Transportation, Interior and Homeland Security and, under it, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Coast Guard.

Shell has agreed to pick up the cost of the operation, Sea Coast Online reports. More than 800 people will be involved in the SONS training exercise, which will focus in particular on top-tier preparation and cross-party cooperation.

The 2007 SONS event simulated the release of hazardous chemicals in the New Madrid Seismic Zone and a simultaneous oil spill in the Great Lakes.

As in 2007, this year's event will last three days, beginning on March 22nd.

Oil and Gas Directory: Training and Development