Laboratory experiments were conducted in an annular flume using Hibernia crude oil to determine: (1) the critical shear stress (tau(c)) necessary to remove stranded oil from a surface by resuspension and (2) the effect of suspended sediment concentrations (SSCs) on the oil erosion processes. Two types of erosion were evident: Type I-solution and erosion of soluble aromatics; and Type II-mass erosion of visible droplets. In particulate free seawater at 13 degreesC, the Type II erosion threshold tau(cII) is 5.0 Pa. This is equivalent to a mean current velocity (U-y) of 0.55 in s(-1). At U-y values <0.55 m s(-1), Type I erosion occurred as shown by the increase of oil concentrations without visible erosion of the oil surface. Temperature has a strong control on the threshold and rate of oil erosion: the threshold for Type I erosion at 4 &DEG;C was higher and erosion rate lower than at 13 &DEG;C. No Type II erosion was observed at 4 &DEG;C. SSCs also affects the entrainment of oil. Oil erosion was most efficient at moderate SSCs. At very high SSCs, turbulence suppression and drag reduction became effective and oil erosion rate decreased. SSC at 200-250 mg l(-1) were observed to give maximum erosion efficiency and is therefore suggested as the optimal concentration for erosion and elimination of heavy crude oil at a water temperature of 13 &DEG;C. Crown Copyright (C) 2003 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.