Oil Drilling News

GULF OIL DISASTER

Deepwater Horizon Joint Investigation Panel Examines Tardy Efforts To Shut Down BP Rig

http://gulfcoastmaritime.com/the-gulf-coast/deepwater-horizon-joint-investigation-panel-examines-tardy-efforts-to-shut-down-bp-rig/2167/

Editorial: They Haven't Learned

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/13/opinion/13mon1.html

"Given the disastrous oil spill in the central gulf, and industry's inability to clean it up, one might have expected a little self-knowledge. Not from this crowd, which continues to lobby for more risky drilling instead of focusing all its energy on improving its capacity to prevent and respond to future blowouts. [...] The industry and its well-paid allies say that delaying drilling will increase America's dependence on foreign oil. That ignores a simple truth: A nation using one-quarter of the world's oil while controlling only 3 percent of the world's known reserves cannot drill its way to independence. The estimated 7.5 billion barrels the eastern gulf and Atlantic coast are thought to contain are just about what this country consumes in a year." 

Interior attempts to clarify new offshore drilling rules

http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/677-e2-wire/133417-interior-attempts-to-clarify-new-offshore-drilling-rules

FLORIDA

Surfrider Foundation Emerald Coast Chapter Water Testing Info Center

http://www.surfrideremeraldcoast.org/watertestingresults/

"On June 10, the Emerald Coast Chapter was one of the first local volunteer organizations to begin a Gulf Beach Water Quality Monitoring Program in response to the minimal efforts made by state and federal agencies to monitor against the dangers of the offshore oil drilling spill.  Local surfers and swimmers have suffered from burning eyes and mouths, blistering noses and have developed acid-type rashes since the spill. They want to know what is in the water that might be causing these symptoms. 

These samples are analyzed for the presence of several different hydrocarbons that are most likely to be found at Florida's beaches this far away from the original spill site given the amount of time that has passed since the spill. The samples are also being tested for propylene glycol and 2-butoxyethanol, which are common ingredients of chemical dispersants, such as those used to break up the BP oil spill in the Gulf.  We have also performed some follow-up testing for Corexit specific chemicals."

MISSISSIPPI

Real estate agents receive $1.14M in oil funds

http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2010/12/real_estate_agents_receive_114.html

"Real estate professionals began reporting lost income soon after oil hit the coast from the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig explosion on April 20. 

Mississippi got $1.5 million, while Alabama and Florida got $15 million and $16 million respectively. "

VIRGINIA

Offshore Drilling Cartoon

http://www.vasierraclub.org/drillingcartoon.jpg

THE NORTH SEA

More Danger of Oil Spills in the Future? Reckless Behavior in the North Sea

http://technology.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978783597