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April 3, 2010

For the Sake of the Environment: Drill, Baby, Drill! (It Reduces Natural Oil & Gas Seepage)

Monique Chartier

... okay, possibly not everywhere. But definitely in one of the many, many areas - California - that President Obama has just ruled off limits to exploration and drilling.

One of the side affects of offshore oil production has been the reduction of oil and gas seepage due to decreases in subsea oil-reservoir pressure. Seep oil is chemically the same as commercially extracted oil, although the seep oil and tar have often undergone partial oxidation by the time they move into the water or onshore.

The seepage reductions due to offshore oil and gas extraction have, in some cases, resulted in significant reductions in natural oil and gas seep pollution over the last 40 years.

There are also anecdotal observations and research indicating that oil production around the world is responsible for ongoing reductions in hydrocarbon seepage pollution.

Ironically, the decreased oil and gas reservoir pressure due to ongoing "legacy" offshore oil and gas production (which continued even after the state-wide offshore moratorium was imposed) near the site of the famous 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill is resulting in reductions in California's coastal seepage pollution. California beaches have become significantly cleaner over the last 50 years due to offshore oil and gas production. ...

Thus offshore oil and gas production represents both an effective means of addressing the problems of seepage pollution as well as an economic opportunity.

Comments

Did I misread the news, or did the Mexicans recently make a dela with the Chinese to drill in the Gulf of Mexico. This would seem a likely impetus to Mr. Obama allowing his own to drill. BTW, how is this done? Executive order?

Posted by: Warrington Faust at April 3, 2010 4:18 PM

In another great example of Red State Hypocrisy, Georgia today announced they will fight hard against any drilling off their shores. I suspect SC and FL will join them.

NIMBY...I guess, is the word here. Everyone wants to drill in someone else's backyard.

I wonder what Rhode Islanders would say to massive projects a few miles out - actually, I don't have to wonder - I know what they would say!

Give most people an intelligent choice between more conservation, higher CAFE and building standards, greener energy - OR - becoming polluted sewers like Texas and La (air, water, etc.) and I think they would choose the first.

I don't know what it is about conservatives that makes them not get that we have run out of space to live. Tell me "where do the children play?"

Posted by: Stuart at April 4, 2010 2:05 PM

Stuart-you apparently have profited handsomely off this country-why do you incessantly bite the hand that fed you?Move to Venezuela and send us a report in a year or so.
You're a bore.

Posted by: joe bernstein at April 4, 2010 4:59 PM

Stuart, there are already bacteria that will eat the oil spills. This was proved with the Exxon Valdez where they worked splendidly. Exactly why the gubmint won't allow them to be used, I'm not sure.

Posted by: Warrington Faust at April 4, 2010 6:01 PM

Warrington,
What else do they eat? That might be the problem!
OTL

Posted by: OldTimeLefty at April 4, 2010 10:50 PM

Warrington,
What else do they eat? That might be the problem!
OTL

Apparently when they run out of peteroleum, they starve. They were allowed one cove in Alaska after the Exxon Valdez, they cleaned it up "like new". Bacteria is what restaurants use now to clean oily drains (different bacteria). Is it possible they would mutate? I really don't know. Seems safe, heres an article on the bacteria in Alaska. http://www.adn.com/evos/stories/EV117.html

Posted by: Warrington Faust at April 4, 2010 11:33 PM