Offshore Oil Disaster

[Running Arrow Bill]

The flowing sea floor well is a real tragedy. For all that oil to come out (without pumping) it is similar to the Spindletop Oil Field in Texas in last century where oil gushed out due to pressure after drill hit oil. Given that much pressure I tend to have doubts that a "repair plug" (unless it is very substantial) will stop the pressure flow.

I don't think we have even begun to see the impact of this event... Then, should a hurricaine hit the Gulf Coast then imagine the surface oil that would be coating vegetation, structures, animals, etc.

Something I researched (to my amazement) was that the temperature of the water around 5,000 feet depth would range between about 28 and 33 deg. F. Of course the salinity of the water would keep it from freezing down there; but, when it came in contact with a man-made structure (e.g., that "dome" they put down), then it began to freeze on the top spout.

The saga and the disaster continues...

 

[HEREFORD ROADHOG]

It is really disapointing & unforgivable that they never had a real plan to deal with such a disaster.

 

[cypressfarms]

I haven't reached the point of placing blame yet; but the tragedy is that we'll proably lose (Louisiana's) coastline. We produce a huge amount of america's shrimp and oysters. This is bad, real bad. I pray for a quick resolution; then we can worry about blame...

 

[VanC]

While I sympathize with those whose livlihoods might be affected by this, let's not forget the eleven dead workers and their families. That is the real tragedy. Everything that follows is secondary.

 

[Caustic Burno]

While I sympathize with those whose livlihoods might be affected by this, let's not forget the eleven dead workers and their families. That is the real tragedy. Everything that follows is secondary.

You are right . We tend to forget that energy is a very dangerous business from coal mines to drilling offshore so we can have cheap and unlimited energy to power everything we do.
The worst diaster was caused by fertilizer.
http://www.local1259iaff.org/disaster.html

 

[Angus Cowman]

While I sympathize with those whose livlihoods might be affected by this, let's not forget the eleven dead workers and their families. That is the real tragedy. Everything that follows is secondary.

You are right . We tend to forget that energy is a very dangerous business from coal mines to drilling offshore so we can have cheap and unlimited energy to power everything we do.
The worst diaster was caused by fertilizer.
http://www.local1259iaff.org/disaster.html

CB
I have read about the Texas City Disaster before, the company my wife used to work for had an article in a book they published as they were a major insurer(property and life) in Texas City at the time of the disaster and I forget how many claims they paid out it was monumental I beleive they paid the largest multiple claim payout ever recorded by an insurance company for the loss of lives and destroyed property

 

[Carlos D.]

i am a little curious---as to why we're drilling in a mile of water -----theres a new field in the southwest corner of manitoba (canada)runs into northern part of north dakota rumors are that its bigger than saudi arabia --------whats so special about getting it out of the bottom of the ocean

 

[dun]

i am a little curious---as to why we're drilling in a mile of water -----theres a new field in the southwest corner of manitoba (canada)runs into northern part of north dakota rumors are that its bigger than saudi arabia --------whats so special about getting it out of the bottom of the ocean

Probably has to do with the NIMBY syndrome

 

[Caustic Burno]

Another interesting Oh ####.

http://www.damninteresting.com/lake-pei ... ex-of-doom

 

[cypressfarms]

Another interesting Oh ####.

http://www.damninteresting.com/lake-pei ... ex-of-doom

Now that is freaky scary; penentrating a salt dome and draining a lake and even pulling in water from the gulf. Miracle no one died.

 

[CKC1586]

Watched 60 Minutes last night. After seeing and listening to the fellow that survived describe the chain of events leading to it, my conclusion is this disaster could have been prevented if it weren't for BP greed.
Sad sad sad.

 

[Lammie]

Well, everyone is standing around pointing finger at one another for the blame. Makes me so mad. Then some idiot gets in front of a congressional committee last week and says we are ALL to blame because we drive cars. That made me really mad. Those idiots are more interested in blaming one another than they are in stopping the flow of oil.

 

[Brute 23]

One of the guys killed lived not too far from me. I did not know him personally but know several members of his family from working in the area. He was one year older than me.

i am a little curious---as to why we're drilling in a mile of water -----theres a new field in the southwest corner of manitoba (canada)runs into northern part of north dakota rumors are that its bigger than saudi arabia --------whats so special about getting it out of the bottom of the ocean

cheaper; more developed technology...
I think they said offshore drilling makes up like 35% of what we use. So when we all want to pay $15... $20+ dollars a gallon of gas we can stop drilling offshore. Not to mention the amount of jobs that would be lost.

 

[TexasBred]

http://www.newlondonschool.org/

Another tragedy over in the East Texas Oil Field....huge explosion from "unscented natural gas" being used in the schoo. Most of those killed were students.

 

[TexasBred]

i am a little curious---as to why we're drilling in a mile of water -----theres a new field in the southwest corner of manitoba (canada)runs into northern part of north dakota rumors are that its bigger than saudi arabia --------whats so special about getting it out of the bottom of the ocean

Carlos...that way they don't have to drill the first 5000 feet...they just start at 5000. (joking)....but...that is where the oil is.It's an old industry in the gulf

 

[Carlos D.]

i am a little curious---as to why we're drilling in a mile of water -----theres a new field in the southwest corner of manitoba (canada)runs into northern part of north dakota rumors are that its bigger than saudi arabia --------whats so special about getting it out of the bottom of the ocean

Carlos...that way they don't have to drill the first 5000 feet...they just start at 5000. (joking)....but...that is where the oil is.It's an old industry in the gulf

OHHHHHHHH-------now it makes sense-------Well anyway we're going to have some oil here if you need it -

 

[Brute 23]

I think alot of people forget the high risk factor that goes into producing oil and natural gas. The media would like every one to think its just a bunch of guys drilling holes in the ground that spit out money like a water faucet. As farmers and ranchers we should understand this more than any one. There are people in this world who believe beef is made in H-E-B or Wal-Mart and we all know there is far more to it than that.

O&G companies are trying to work and controll things thousands of feet below the surface. Every one would like to believe that they know exactly what is going on down there but they don't. Every time you drill its an experiment. There are safety measure in place but nothing is ever 100%.

I am no tree hugger nor do I want to drive around a little electric car, but people need to realize there is ALOT of risk.... both to people working in the field and to the enviroment.... to produce oil and natural gas we depend on. We are totally dependent on oil and natural gas as a nation and will always be. Its disappointing to see this because it will be used as a big propangada scheme for politicians and enviromental extremist. The fact is things like this will happen again, all we can do is fix it and learn from it.

 

[TexasBred]

Amen Bro. !!!!!!!

 

[novaman]

i am a little curious---as to why we're drilling in a mile of water -----theres a new field in the southwest corner of manitoba (canada)runs into northern part of north dakota rumors are that its bigger than saudi arabia --------whats so special about getting it out of the bottom of the ocean

I'm wondering the same thing. They have a huge oil deposit in what they call the "Bakken". I don't remember the numbers but it is a massive amount of oil in this area up into Canada. Lately they just released news that they found another formation beneath the Bakken that may have just as much oil. I heard that there is enough oil in this region to run the whole country for close to 2,000 years. Now whether that is true or not I have no idea but there is a lot. With that said, the oil drilling has been getting crazy around here lately. Nearly everybody I know that doesn't farm or ranch has a job that is tied to the oil activity in some way.