Twice during the past week, I’ve written about the oil and natural gas industry and the recent decision by House Democrats to allow a quarter-century-old offshore drilling ban to expire. Today, however, I heard a CBS radio news report about the ban expiring today and felt obligated to set the record straight for benefit of folks in the anti-drilling crowd.
During the CBS radio news report, to which, unfortunately, I’ve been unable to find a link, the reporter spoke with a woman described as a resident of Santa Barbara, Calif., who shared her disdain for the prospect of drilling taking place off the California coast.
Recalling personal memories of a 1969 oil spill off the Santa Barbara coast, the lady in Santa Barbara cited the prospect of another environmental disaster as the primary reason behind her opposition to a resumption of offshore drilling. Secondarily, she cited the threat drilling poses to the pristine beauty of the California coast. Understandably, her concerns are based upon personal experience.
In my estimation, however, both of these arguments are non-starters today, especially when one considers the many ways offshore drilling during the past 40 years. I say, “They’re obsolete” and industry experts agree.
“Surprising to many, offshore oil and natural gas production actually puts less oil and gas into the environment than natural leaks, transportation and shipping,” said Ford Brett, president of OGCI PetroSkills, during a guest appearance on Energy Tomorrow Radio Aug. 28. His company is the world’s largest petroleum technology training organization that trains geologists and engineers on how to find and retrieve oil and natural gas from the ground.
The strong likelihood that most of the offshore drilling platforms will be placed, at a minimum, 12 to 18 miles from shore, renders the other aspect of the “pristine beauty” argument moot. Because of the curvature of the earth, people standing on the California coast — or, for that matter, any other coast — will not be able to see platforms that far out. Even people viewing the ocean from the upper floors of office building along the coast will have a hard time distinguishing the drilling platforms. In short, Brett believes there are no reasons why more areas of the Outer Continental Shelf should not be opened.
“Producing more oil and natural gas in the United States would be more environmentally responsible,” he explained, “because it would require that less oil is imported.
“Since producing oil outside of the United States is done with much less regulation and care for the environment than it is done here, it would be environmentally safer overall to produce more oil in this country.”
American Petroleum Institute President Red Cavaney backs up Brett’s contentions.
“I think what we’ve proved through four incredible hurricanes in the last three years is we’ve got the environmental sensitivity, willing to put the money into making sure that those platforms can take the hardest that Mother Nature can give them and still not end up discharging any production-related oil into the sea.”
Thought you should know.
8 responses so far ↓
1 txtransplant // Sep 30, 2008 at 11:09 am
What I find offensive about so many on the east and west coast is their willingness to use oil from any other source other than their own backyard. Environmental concerns exist ANYWHERE oil is extracted. Why should others live with the possibility of a problem (whether it be Saudi Arabia or Alaska) so that these “special people” can continue to live their pristine lifestyle. I believe Americans should be energy independent and that we need to drill for our own oil. With time, hopefully, we will have other energy alternatives, but now we need oil and ALL Americans should be equally liable.
2 Doug // Sep 30, 2008 at 1:01 pm
When I visit my parents in FL, I notice boxes on beach with wipes and cleaner to remove oil deposits that one might find stuck to skin after a swim. My Dad says it’s natural oil that belches from the sea bed. Should we have Congress launch an investigation into whether Mother Nature is harming the environment with her “oil spills”?
3 Goat // Sep 30, 2008 at 1:01 pm
To add to Bob’s post there are over 2000 mapped natural seepages off the Ca coast that leak hundreds of barrels a day into our coastal waters. Tapping those seeps would reduce that leakage substantially. Another point is that drilling platforms are not that big and are no more noticable than a passing ship to the casual observer. Besides that coastal visibility is rarely more than five miles due to the marine fog layer. I live in Ca and have spent plenty of time on our coast.
4 hotoffthepress2 // Sep 30, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Goat — Thanks for the insight.
5 hotoffthepress2 // Sep 30, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Doug — There’s nothing like the wrath of a woman scorned. Recalling the margarine commercials of the 1970s (i.e., “It’s not nice to fool with Mother Nature”), I say let the the EPA and Greenpeace try to sue and see how long that lawsuit takes to prosecute. Thanks for the wisdom!
6 BMorgan53 // Oct 26, 2008 at 9:15 pm
As a native Texan, I’ve always thought that it was kinda stupid to send our oil out of state. Kinda like “Cut off the pipeline and let ‘em do it in the dark”
7 hotoffthepress2 // Oct 26, 2008 at 9:39 pm
BMorgan53,
I know, Texas is like a whole ‘nother country. Having grown up on top of Texas (i.e., in Oklahoma) as the son of a petroleum geologist, I appreciate that sentiment on occasion — especially when the libs are out of control like they have been in recent years.
8 BMorgan53 // Oct 27, 2008 at 3:26 am
I know Oklahoma well, I spent 11 years in the Military, as an Army Officer, and five of them were at Ft. Sill. Believe me when I say I love Oklahoma, the scenery, fishing, hunting, camping, et.al., except around the Texas/OU season.
I wouldn’t mind living in Oklahoma if ya’ll got rid of the State Income Tax.
Imagine the possibilities if Texas, Oklahoma & Louisiana got together and ran an oil embargo on the rest of the of the 47. ;)
May the Polls and Pundits be wrong and McCain – Palin win come November 4. Obama & Biden just wrong!
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