GasBuddy Blog

Message Forum - Read Message

Category: GasBuddy Official Blog > Topics	Add to favorite topics Post New Topic

Author	Topic: To drill off the U.S. coast or to not? Obama's dilemma	Post a Reply Back to Topics

PD Moderator	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2010 11:13:02 AM Ignore PD Report Abuse After last week's explosion that resulted in the platform Deepwater Horizon's demise and subsequent oil spill, lawmakers are rethinking President Obama's plan to allow for expanded drilling in areas off the United States coastline. While the oil spill has not yet eclipsed the magnitude of the Exxon Valdez spill in Alaska's Prince William Sound, it could soon overtake it in size if BP and other parties involved can't stem the leak in the next few weeks. Latest reported estimates have the process to drill and shut the leak at weeks away while thousands of barrels of oil spill into the Gulf every day. The Exxon Valdez released nearly 260,000 barrels of crude oil into the water back in 1989. While the current day accident was... Visit GasBuddy Blog for full article

Moderator

Message Posted: Apr 30, 2010 11:13:02 AM

Ignore PD Report Abuse

After last week's explosion that resulted in the platform Deepwater Horizon's demise and subsequent oil spill, lawmakers are rethinking President Obama's plan to allow for expanded drilling in areas off the United States coastline.

While the oil spill has not yet eclipsed the magnitude of the Exxon Valdez spill in Alaska's Prince William Sound, it could soon overtake it in size if BP and other parties involved can't stem the leak in the next few weeks. Latest reported estimates have the process to drill and shut the leak at weeks away while thousands of barrels of oil spill into the Gulf every day.

The Exxon Valdez released nearly 260,000 barrels of crude oil into the water back in 1989. While the current day accident was...

Visit GasBuddy Blog for full article

REPLIES (newest first)Ignore Short Messages

First

Next Last

csh7586 Champion Author Wilmington Posts:4,797 Points:850,770 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Feb 26, 2013 7:12:43 PM Ignore csh7586 Report Abuse The rest of the world drills in the ocean. Let's get with it.
stonecold5005 All-Star Author Waco Posts:817 Points:20,240 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Jun 29, 2012 11:38:00 AM Ignore stonecold5005 Report Abuse drill
POLELANE Champion Author Ohio Posts:7,148 Points:828,370 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Aug 16, 2010 8:32:21 PM Ignore POLELANE Report Abuse If the majority desire it; do it; he works for us; not the other way around.
flyboy Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:3,796 Points:1,325,140 Joined:Jan 2002	Message Posted: Aug 12, 2010 11:25:02 PM Ignore flyboy Report Abuse The restrictions on where oil companies can drill only increase the price of a barrel of oil and reduce jobs. Since jobs are scarce and the price of a barrel of oil has doubled the restrictions on drilling for oil should be reduced as much as possible.
POLELANE Champion Author Ohio Posts:7,148 Points:828,370 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jun 2, 2010 7:16:40 PM Ignore POLELANE Report Abuse B O has people (I hope) to handle the details; he has a lot more promises on the fire for completion his first term; a hurdle; who can we sacrifice?
wxman08 Champion Author Vermont Posts:1,917 Points:401,470 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jun 2, 2010 10:30:39 AM Ignore wxman08 Report Abuse For what, more environmental destruction?!
EVBuddy Champion Author Nevada Posts:16,695 Points:3,032,570 Joined:Sep 2004	Message Posted: Jun 1, 2010 11:04:56 PM Ignore EVBuddy Report Abuse It's not a dilemma, it's an opertunity.
nyuknyuk49 Champion Author Rhode Island Posts:13,691 Points:2,763,815 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: May 31, 2010 6:25:18 AM Ignore nyuknyuk49 Report Abuse DRILL MORE!
sweeteddy Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:3,639 Points:1,704,745 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: May 30, 2010 8:15:49 AM Ignore sweeteddy Report Abuse drill
wxman08 Champion Author Vermont Posts:1,917 Points:401,470 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: May 24, 2010 5:52:35 PM Ignore wxman08 Report Abuse "We need natural gas and we have a huge supply of it right under our feet." However, we would also need a whole lot of new infrastructure to deliver this natural gas to a majority of the USA. Local wind & solar generation needs little to no new infrastructure, and it's basically free energy in the long-run.
tmottl Rookie Author New York Posts:13 Points:400 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: May 23, 2010 7:41:31 AM Ignore tmottl Report Abuse I find it amusing that people actually will oppose anything and do absolutely nothing to fix or help rectify our energy problem. I drive by these NO FRACK sings in some of these little towns and I want to drive over them. These people have no problem supporting terrorists? We do not NEED crude from these people. We need natural gas and we have a huge supply of it right under our feet. These wells and pipeline technology have been around for decades and for some reason these jackasses in this state think that all of a sudden it is a bad thing because of some drummed up idea they might die from it. C'mon people get real. These same people probable leave there lights on, use their clothes dryers on sunny days, and let their cars warm up or cool down depending on the season. Hippocrates.
CruisinLinda Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:7,947 Points:1,621,420 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: May 19, 2010 8:18:15 AM Ignore CruisinLinda Report Abuse Yes, the BP Deepwater Horizon gusher starting April 20 is far worse than the 11-million gallon Exxon Valdez tanker spill in Prince William Sound, Alaska. This post was made April 30. Weeks later we know the amount spewed from the three leaks was closer to 1 million gallons per day over at least 27 days. On May 17 BP was able to reduce the flow to some extent. The oil has apparently spread to Dry Tortuga Key in Florida as evidenced by the increase to 50 tar balls washed up on the beach and apparently has entered the Gulf loop current which flows around the Florida peninsula to the Atlantic Gulfstream. The important thing us to stop this from happening again. BP's Deepwater Atlantis, which reportedly lacks proper engineering certifications, must be shut down immediately if it hasn't been already. Every other drilling rig must be shut down until it can be reliably inspected.
OHMS Champion Author Orange County Posts:13,727 Points:1,693,830 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: May 18, 2010 1:50:08 PM Ignore OHMS Report Abuse His dilemma is when to write a book about it; now; or later; after damages have been increased.
wxman08 Champion Author Vermont Posts:1,917 Points:401,470 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: May 17, 2010 10:16:57 PM Ignore wxman08 Report Abuse "Then the President swiftly condemned BP Petroleum, who by the way is one of his largest campaign contributors." Sheer nonsense.
POLELANE Champion Author Ohio Posts:7,148 Points:828,370 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: May 11, 2010 11:30:23 PM Ignore POLELANE Report Abuse not made any easier by recent events on his watch.
dinahf Champion Author Kansas City Posts:9,483 Points:1,447,095 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: May 10, 2010 8:18:05 PM Ignore dinahf Report Abuse A methane bubble caused this accident, a random occurance...oil rigs cannot be made that safe.......alternative fuels and cleaner sources are the answer..!
flyboy Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:3,796 Points:1,325,140 Joined:Jan 2002	Message Posted: May 6, 2010 11:16:59 PM Ignore flyboy Report Abuse The best way to look at this is as a way to learn how to make our oil drilling rigs safer. The best way to avoid making mistakes is to learn from your experiences. How do you become experienced? By making mistakes.
POLELANE Champion Author Ohio Posts:7,148 Points:828,370 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: May 6, 2010 8:41:23 PM Ignore POLELANE Report Abuse good answer; he can't please any of the people any of the time; so good luck
sabob Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:12,519 Points:1,129,470 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: May 6, 2010 8:33:54 PM Ignore sabob Report Abuse Hey, he wanted to be president, let him deal with it
pliskin Champion Author Syracuse Posts:6,090 Points:1,733,830 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: May 6, 2010 8:28:53 PM Ignore pliskin Report Abuse Turn off Fox noise said misterray? Not to get a thing going here but if one were to pay attention to CNN, Fox, the Wall Street Journal, or even the NY Times they would have learned that it only took Pres. Obama and his administration 8 days to decide which hand to get off of and go down to see what actually happened in regards to the oil rig explosion and then stop all our off shore drilling. Then the President swiftly condemned BP Petroleum, who by the way is one of his largest campaign contributors.
g747 Champion Author Mobile Posts:4,551 Points:935,620 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: May 6, 2010 8:09:16 PM Ignore g747 Report Abuse For now;even we have a bad gulf of mexico spill to clean up;the consumer supply & demand factor will be always a prominent player to reduce our dependence on foreign oil;the president will proceed with extreme caution with more safety safeguards to continue to drill for more natural resources to reduce our demand for foreign oil.
POLELANE Champion Author Ohio Posts:7,148 Points:828,370 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: May 5, 2010 9:10:30 PM Ignore POLELANE Report Abuse DC can't handle snow removal; but they sure can shovel other peoples'.
Bonanza Champion Author Boston Posts:12,093 Points:2,552,730 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: May 5, 2010 5:29:55 AM Ignore Bonanza Report Abuse There will always be risks with offshore drilling
CrazgsupS All-Star Author San Diego Posts:516 Points:55,940 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: May 4, 2010 3:01:11 PM Ignore CrazgsupS Report Abuse not so much... I agree with responsible scientists to keep remaining fossil fuels in the ground.
OHMS Champion Author Orange County Posts:13,727 Points:1,693,830 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: May 4, 2010 2:50:19 PM Ignore OHMS Report Abuse Oblama's dilema will remain more difficult to cure than whether or not to drill off our coasts.
flyboy Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:3,796 Points:1,325,140 Joined:Jan 2002	Message Posted: May 3, 2010 11:58:12 PM Ignore flyboy Report Abuse Number43 and TBONE3 thank you for your kind words!
Bonanza Champion Author Boston Posts:12,093 Points:2,552,730 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: May 3, 2010 5:59:06 AM Ignore Bonanza Report Abuse There will always be risks with offshore drilling
wxman08 Champion Author Vermont Posts:1,917 Points:401,470 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: May 2, 2010 9:46:46 PM Ignore wxman08 Report Abuse "We have enough oil right here in the US to sustain ourselves for more than 2000 years." This is sheer & utter nonsense! We have barely enough oil in the USA to last at our current consumption rates for even one decade "RENEGADEGAS". ------------------------------------------- "For all of you who insist that we stop drilling, what are you going to do about: 1. a road to drive on (tar) 2. a roof over your head (asphalt shingles) 3. plastic containers that hold your milk, water, etc" All of these things can be made out of other substances. "4. gas in your car (walk to work?) 5. the airline industry (jet fuel)" The way that we do things currently is NOT the only way to do things. Oil is running out worldwide...wake up "Jeff4U"! "insecticides, tires, ink, nail polish, golf bags, antiseptics, fertilizers, hand lotion, tires, house paint, eye glasses, CDs & DVDs, shampoo, nylon rope, panty hose, refrigerant, grease, soap, shoes, hair coloring, lipstick, linoleum, yarn, caulking, antifreeze" Once again, ALL of these things an be made from other materials, period. --------------------------------- "We need to reduce the amount of oil we import and drilling anywhere and everywhere in the US is the best way to do that." No, it isn't, since we will NEVER be able to pump out enough oil to meet our current level of oil demand. The USA experienced Peak Oil in the early 1970s! Wake up "flyboy"! -------------------------------- "Yes, we can stop drilling, but then people will freeze to death in winter, because the alternatives just aren't ready yet." Nonsense "Tanks_alot"...viable alternatives are in use right here in the USA and around the world as we speak!
wxman08 Champion Author Vermont Posts:1,917 Points:401,470 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: May 2, 2010 9:34:04 PM Ignore wxman08 Report Abuse "It is vital that the United States keeps money spent on oil closer to home, providing American jobs, and stops sending a significant portion of our income to the Middle East and other OPEC countries." What is MORE vital is that the USA ween itself off of a dwindling, finite energy resource like oil and implement alternative energies that have no limit. "Some lawmakers have taken a better approach of wait and see. This is better because it keeps options on the table while waiting to see what should be integrated into and new laws allowing drilling. Lawmakers should remember that this accident could have occurred years ago or several years from now, and realistically, what would it change? No matter how laws are written, you can't prevent accidents." Yes, you can! There is existing technology that would have automatically stopped this leak from ever occurring in the first place, and it is technology that other countries require right now that the USA does not.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,643 Points:1,611,470 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: May 1, 2010 11:29:11 PM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse the problem with wendyaz's premise is that oversight is good. But then, BP was to install a safety valve that should have allowed this well to be capped. Well, because nothing has happened for so long, nothing was really done to enforce it. So guess what...?! Some stuff happened. Now we're all in the boat to fix the problem hindsight.
Martinman Champion Author Mississippi Posts:14,744 Points:2,094,805 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: May 1, 2010 8:36:29 AM Ignore Martinman Report Abuse wendyaz from phoenix posted... "Great points in the article. This should not stop our ability to drill offshore (with proper controls and oversight) and work toward becoming energy independent vs. held hostage by foreign countries who control at what price we can obtain oil for all the items that Jeff4U so aptly detailed." . It has been repeatedly stated, there simply is not enough oil using current extraction techniques, for the U.S. to become energy independent without a major shift in crude oil consumption. You can drill every square inch of the United States and there simply isn't enough crude oil available. Period. Dot. Furthermore, it IS NOT foreign countries that are holding our energy needs hostage - it's AMERICANS on Wall Street who have learned to manipulate the futures markets, just like they did the banking and mortgage securities markets before the financial collapse in 2008. The price of crude oil is driven by the commodities futures exchanges, and the oil companies and Wall Street even set-up the ICE (International Commodities Exchange) solely to make paper-trades designed to drive the proce of crude higher. And all of this comes Courtesy of... ... the Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000, and the wonderous Contract with America! [Edited by: Martinman at 5/1/2010 8:37:09 AM EST]
SS396RS All-Star Author Sacramento Posts:899 Points:622,895 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: May 1, 2010 1:45:26 AM Ignore SS396RS Report Abuse Drill on land.
wendyAZ Veteran Author Phoenix Posts:419 Points:195,660 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: May 1, 2010 1:41:46 AM Ignore wendyAZ Report Abuse Great points in the article. This should not stop our ability to drill offshore (with proper controls and oversight) and work toward becoming energy independent vs. held hostage by foreign countries who control at what price we can obtain oil for all the items that Jeff4U so aptly detailed.
Jeff4U Champion Author Atlanta Posts:8,767 Points:1,854,320 Joined:Nov 2004	Message Posted: May 1, 2010 1:41:03 AM Ignore Jeff4U Report Abuse MacDad614, .. it's obvious that they DON'T know.
250FORD Champion Author Minnesota Posts:8,332 Points:1,305,970 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: May 1, 2010 1:37:17 AM Ignore 250FORD Report Abuse Maybe it is right to wait. Until we know why the valve at the bottom of the pipe is not working we should not open anything up. Things like this could happen at any time and if these valves are a problem we don't want any more out there. Look at all the oil that will never be refined. Its to bad the couldn't skim the oil and use it.
BobD2009 Champion Author Long Island Posts:6,999 Points:1,241,735 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: May 1, 2010 1:33:31 AM Ignore BobD2009 Report Abuse When was the BP rig last inspected?
Soxxie95 Sophomore Author Twin Cities Posts:138 Points:143,365 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: May 1, 2010 1:33:09 AM Ignore Soxxie95 Report Abuse U.S. or nothing
DJRIO Champion Author Miami Posts:8,056 Points:1,427,535 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: May 1, 2010 1:31:05 AM Ignore DJRIO Report Abuse THis all happen because all standard of safety is not as high as some other country and government let get away with safety violations. On top of that they didn't have the famous safety valve. alot things came into play for this to happen. Alot different people were not doing their job!
RENEGADEGAS Champion Author Missouri Posts:14,924 Points:1,593,175 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: May 1, 2010 1:30:07 AM Ignore RENEGADEGAS Report Abuse Jeff4U...HERE HERE!!! BRAVO!!!
RENEGADEGAS Champion Author Missouri Posts:14,924 Points:1,593,175 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: May 1, 2010 1:29:11 AM Ignore RENEGADEGAS Report Abuse RecountFL...Sorry but you are wildly incorrect or misinformed. We have enough oil right here in the US to sustain ourselves for more than 2000 years. No more foreign oil, lots of new "REAL" American jobs, reduced oil and fuel prices, and the chance to sell off surplus to other countries for a profit to help pay off the worlds largest mational debt in history from the current administration. Its all good dude!
MidNJ Champion Author New Jersey Posts:7,559 Points:1,173,100 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: May 1, 2010 1:23:13 AM Ignore MidNJ Report Abuse Just listened to Karl Rove on "Fox, Fair and Balanced Media. Is he and Gretta Real????
benjy Champion Author Chicago Posts:8,601 Points:1,790,350 Joined:Nov 2003	Message Posted: May 1, 2010 1:21:38 AM Ignore benjy Report Abuse make em pay....
runningmp Champion Author Corpus Christi Posts:24,527 Points:2,750,105 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: May 1, 2010 1:12:23 AM Ignore runningmp Report Abuse >>misterray, Unlike Bush in the Katrina debacle Obama is acting swiftly...<< You might want to rethink your comment. I'm starting to hear that this oil spill will turn out to be President Obama's Hurricane Katrina moment. As soon as the Deep Horizon sank...they should have set fire to the oil, not wait close to a week.
9C1 Champion Author Chicago Posts:22,869 Points:4,248,535 Joined:Jul 2001	Message Posted: May 1, 2010 1:08:51 AM Ignore 9C1 Report Abuse Would youu ever think the oil companiies are lieing about how safe all this drilling is. They wouldn't do that in pursuit of profits would they? Face it all you drillers have been hoodwinked.
WhiteTreeIndian Champion Author New Jersey Posts:5,664 Points:1,124,060 Joined:Dec 2009	Message Posted: May 1, 2010 1:06:35 AM Ignore WhiteTreeIndian Report Abuse But I will say even this is better than nuclear power which is the biggest ripoff and threat to everyone.
WhiteTreeIndian Champion Author New Jersey Posts:5,664 Points:1,124,060 Joined:Dec 2009	Message Posted: May 1, 2010 1:05:29 AM Ignore WhiteTreeIndian Report Abuse What really happens and what is told to the common people often are two different things.
MacDad614 Champion Author Atlanta Posts:3,035 Points:1,177,920 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: May 1, 2010 1:05:01 AM Ignore MacDad614 Report Abuse "To drill off the U.S. coast or to not?" I don't believe I know how to not. And NOTSOGRN wants to just. What is THAT? NO oil company should be allowed to drill for oil when NO plans are in place to ensure the safety of the oceans and the wildlife in the oceans. jeff4who: Isn't this list of products from petroleum something we already know? Ask Good Old Boy Sonny to run for POTUS and see what mess the U.S. would become.
Asbury09 Champion Author Iowa Posts:7,223 Points:1,532,255 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: May 1, 2010 1:04:20 AM Ignore Asbury09 Report Abuse read and commented on this late yesterday afternoon
jtfftj Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:2,181 Points:1,250,030 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: May 1, 2010 12:59:26 AM Ignore jtfftj Report Abuse The timing is perfect to allow Nobama to announce the change in his position to allow expanded drilling, especially where there might really be some oil down there.
NOTSOGRN Champion Author Michigan Posts:2,059 Points:1,512,475 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: May 1, 2010 12:56:19 AM Ignore NOTSOGRN Report Abuse Obama sent a bunch of suits down there to just get in the way of the real effort to deal with the terrible mess. A mess nobody wanted to happen & or at lest tell we know why it blew up in the first place. I'm sure BP would have liked ever last drop of oil make to market & not be spreading all over the gulf. I drive a car & theres risk in doing just that but, I get to where I want to be much more than being involve in an accident. It is about acceptable risk but, the will always be risk. We benefit in our day lives are way of life from the oil that we use daily. Lets just hope the damage can be minimized & no more lives are lost.