Oil Drilling News

GULF OIL DISASTER

Gulf drilling ban lifted if you 'play by the (new) rules'

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39633824/ns/us_news-environment/

"One of those new rules is that the CEO of a company responsible for a well must certify it has complied with all regulations. That could make the person at the top of the company liable for any future accidents. 

"The oil and gas industry will be operating under tighter rules, stronger oversight, and in a regulatory environment that will remain dynamic as we continue to build on the reforms we have already implemented," Salazar said."

Also see: 

DOI Press Release

ALTERNATIVES TO OIL

Offshore Wind Power Line Wins Praise, and Backing

http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/12/offshore-wind-power-line-wins-praise-and-backing/

Also see: Google to Fund Offshore Power Project

VIRGINIA

Sierra Club slams McDonnell's Va. energy plan

http://www.dailypress.com/news/virginia/dp-va--renewableenergy1011oct11,0,7351765.story

"The report said McDonnell has been enthusiastic in pursuing offshore oil and gas resources but less so in promoting offshore winds and conservation."

Oil Drilling News

GULF OIL DISASTER

An Oil-Thirsty America Dived Into 'Dead Sea'

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704657304575540063579696700.html

Be sure to check this graphic.

BOEMRE Begins Review, Invites Public Comment on Categorical Exclusions

http://www.boemre.gov/ooc/press/2010/press1007.htm

Frontline and ProPublica detail BP's corporate culture in 'The Spill'

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2010/oct/09/frontline-and-propublica-detail-bps-corporate-cult/

Inspectors Rarely Surprised Oil Rigs

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703358504575544294191404032.html

ALTERNATIVES TO OIL

The End of Oil As We Know It

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-end-of-oil-as-we-know-it-104498369.html

The Great Transition (Beyond Carbon) 

http://www.energybulletin.net/stories/2010-10-08/great-transition-beyond-carbon

"The imperative, then, is to work toward facilitating a comprehensive transition to cleaner, renewable sources of energy; while doing our best to downsize our current levels of consumption and increase resilience. 

As study, after study, after study, after study has proven, the mix of technologies to achieve this transition already exist – a major impasse, of course, is how fast the process of transition could occur. Unfortunately, sheer social, political and technological inertia, if nothing else, could slow the transition process significantly (ecologist Vaclav Smil notes that historically, energy transitions have been a generations-long process). While we may be unable therefore to avoid catastrophic short-falls, these could be ameliorated by focusing efforts to radically reduce fossil fuel consumption through conservation and energy efficiency. 

The economic model of an 'ideal-world' 100 per cent, post-carbon renewable energy system is still only theoretical, but it is clear that it cannot be based on exponential growth for its own sake. This speaks to a new post-carbon civilization based on greater consciousness of human-embeddedness in our natural environment; of the significance of mutual cooperation rather than self-seeking competition as an evolutionary imperative for species survival; and thus of less-materialistic values oriented around health, freedom, education, and well-being as central to sustainable prosperity."

Offshore Wind a U.S. Job Boon if Capital Costs Don't Erode Potential -- DOE

http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2010/10/08/08climatewire-offshore-wind-a-us-job-boon-if-capital-costs-77035.html

Saudis get serious on nuclear alternative for power plants

http://www.thenational.ae/business/energy/saudis-get-serious-on-nuclear-alternative-for-power-plants

When even the Saudis are considering alternatives to oil, you know that we are facing the end of oil.

Oil Drilling News

GULF OIL DISASTER

Interior launches broad review of offshore-drilling environmental waivers

http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/677-e2-wire/123145-interior-launches-broad-review-of-offshore-drilling-environmental-waivers

Obama Admin Says New Offshore Safety Rules May Delay Oil Drilling, Raise Gas Prices

http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2010/10/08/08greenwire-obama-admin-says-new-offshore-safety-rules-may-19250.html

Doubts Emerge Over BP's Rig Disaster Report

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704011904575538291955688582.html?mod=WSJ_hps_LEFTTopStories

Technician challenges BP's claim on key devices

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jkw96R1Vg_Yf4D-3YIWCo7M__6vgD9IN53UG0?docId=D9IN53UG0

ALASKA

Addressing Alaskans: The Future of Offshore Drilling in Alaska

http://kska.org/2010/10/07/addressing-alaskans-the-future-of-offshore-drilling-in-alaska/

"...listen to a forum on "The Future of Offshore Drilling in Alaska." KSKA's Micheal Carey moderates the diverse panel representing Shell Alaska, Audubon Alaska, the offices of Senator Mark Begich and the mayor of the North Slope Borough."

Oil Drilling News

GULF OIL DISASTER

Oil Spill Panel: WH Blocked Worst-Case Scenarios

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/10/06/politics/main6933220.shtml

Also see: 

Low Estimate of BP Spill Hindered Bid to Plug Well, Report Says

and 

Gulf oil spill response ill-managed, presidential panel says

Plan for using BP spill fines unveiled

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39405180/from/toolbar

"Navy Secretary Ray Mabus said a significant portion of any fines against companies involved in the spill should be placed in a fund for Gulf restoration. He said it would be up to Congress to determine how much of the fines to set aside."

Chevron sees US deepwater moratorium lifted "soon"

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN0627428420101006

WILDLIFE, HUMAN AND ECOSYSTEM IMPACTS

Gulf of Mexico oil spill called a continuing threat to Louisiana coast

http://www.nola.com/news/gulf-oil-spill/index.ssf/2010/10/gulf_of_mexico_oil_spill_calle.html

ALTERNATIVES TO OIL

Racing against Time: Racing against Finite Petroleum Supply - Challenges and Opportunities

http://www.theoildrum.com/node/6972

We have run out of oil we can afford to burn

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/commentary/jeff-rubins-smaller-world/we-have-run-out-of-oil-we-can-afford-to-burn/article1743497/

ALASKA

Shell scales back drilling for Alaska offshore

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN0629080620101006

Spill panel asks whether Shell Oil's Arctic response plans are 'realistic'

http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/677-e2-wire/123005-spill-panel-asks-whether-shell-oils-arctic-response-plans-are-realistic

Oil Drilling News

GULF OIL DISASTER

Report: U.S. Thwarted Worst-Case Oil Spill Estimate

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130378837

Oil Spill Commission reports released today

http://www.oilspillcommission.gov/library#supporting-documents

The reports are:

Decision-Making Within the Unified Command

The Use of Surface and Subsea Dispersants During the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

The Challenges of Oil Spill Response in the Arctic

The Amount and Fate of the Oil

Deep Water, Deep Trouble

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703453804575479643629599782.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

WILDLIFE, HUMAN AND ECOSYSTEM IMPACTS

Officials planning study of oil damage to Louisiana coast

http://www.dailycomet.com/article/20101004/ARTICLES/101009745/1212?Title=Officials-planning-study-of-oil-damage-to-Louisiana-coast

Oil Found in Layers Below AL Beaches

http://www.wkrg.com/gulf_oil_spill/article/oil-found-in-layers-below-al-beaches1/986432/Sep-29-2010_6-33-pm/

Florida Oil Spill Law

http://www.floridaoilspilllaw.com/

This website has several horrifying first-person accounts of human health and environmental impacts of the Gulf oil disaster

ALTERNATIVES TO OIL

Salazar Signs First U.S. Offshore Commercial Wind Energy Lease with Cape Wind Associates, LLC

http://www.doi.gov/news/pressreleases/Salazar-Signs-First-US-Offshore-Commercial-Wind-Energy-Lease-with-Cape-Wind-Associates-LLC.cfm

Also see: Secretary Salazar's remarks.

Oil Drilling News

GULF OIL DISASTER

Contractor: BP Interfered With Critical Efforts

http://www.ksbw.com/news/25267621/detail.html?taf=mty

What Have They Learned?

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/05/opinion/05tue1.html

WILDLIFE, HUMAN AND ECOSYSTEM IMPACTS

NOAA Reopens Nearly 3,000 Square Miles in the Gulf of Mexico to Fishing

http://www.restorethegulf.gov/release/2010/10/05/noaa-reopens-nearly-3000-square-miles-gulf-mexico-fishing

Map of current closure area (23, 360 square miles)

ALTERNATIVES TO OIL

Spillproof: Why Offshore Wind Should Replace Offshore Drilling

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jackie-savitz/it-wont-spill-why-offshor_b_745374.html

"Some wind-rich states like Delaware, Massachusetts and North Carolina could even generate as much electricity from offshore wind as they currently generate now -- from all sources. Other East Coast states like New Jersey, Virginia and South Carolina could supply 92%, 83% and 64% of their current electricity generation with offshore wind, respectively."

U.S. Military Orders Less Dependence on Fossil Fuels

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/05/science/earth/05fossil.html?_r=2&hp

"Racing Against Time:" Running on Empty?

http://peakoil.com/consumption/%E2%80%9Cracing-against-time%E2%80%9D-running-on-empty/

Reflections on impending Peak Oil

ALASKA

Alaska offshore plans should reflect conditions there, panel told

http://www.ogj.com/index/article-display/0435609995/articles/oil-gas-journal/drilling-production-2/2010/10/alaska-offshore_plans.html

Oil Drilling News

GULF OIL DISASTER

Graphic of 100 Days of the Deepwater Disaster

http://www.nola.com/news/gulf-oil-spill/deepwater-disaster/index.ssf

This was first published two months ago, but it's worth a second look.

Salazar says U.S. energy policy has failed — unveils new rules

http://coloradoindependent.com/63121/salazar-says-u-s-energy-policy-has-failed-he-unveils-new-drilling-rules

"We'll hear from industry that the regulations are too onerous, but the fact is, it's a new day. There is the pre-April 20 framework of regulations and the post-April 20 framework, and the oil and gas industry better get used to it, because that's the way it's going to be," he said.  [...] "We are falling behind China and India in the race for clean energy technologies and clean energy jobs," Salazar said. Salazar touted the need to move faster developing clean energy, even pointing to a plant in Pueblo that manufactures wind turbine towers and will ultimately employ 500 people, he said."

Shell to boost Gulf output despite new rules

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/shell-to-boost-gulf-output-despite-new-rules/article1734796/

REDUCING OUR DEPENDENCE ON OIL

EPA and NHTSA issue notice of intent to develop new greenhouse gas and fuel economy standards for light-duty vehicle model years 2017-2025; proposal expected by 30 SEP 2011

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2010/10/noi-20101001.html

Military reports leading the charge in peak oil debate

http://www.energybulletin.net/stories/2010-10-01/military-reports-leading-charge-peak-oil-debate

"Fueling the Future Force: Preparing the Department of Defense for a Post-Petroleum Environment, published September 27, is the third military consideration of a future of scarce oil published so far this year. It states that 77 per cent of the US Department of Defense's "massive energy needs" are met by petroleum – but "given projected supply and demand, we cannot assume that oil will remain affordable or that supplies will be available to the United States reliably three decades hence." To remain as an effective fighting force, the entire US military must transition from oil over the coming 30 years."

Obama promotes green energy

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1010/43031.html