Offshore Drilling Ban to be Lifted by Bush - Page 12

Alex · 08-05-2008, 07:04 PM

Yes, that is the 1999 press release that every single article on the subject I can find points to. I haven't found anybody yet who claims to have read the research, just quoting the press release.

Alex · 08-05-2008, 07:16 PM

Here's the abstract for the original article in Geology. I don't feel like buying the article itself.

Anyway, as you can see from reading the abstract it merely hypothosizes that drilling is the cause of reduced seepage in that area (I've no idea if seepage in Santa Barbara Channel is remotely standard). That's a long way from "off shore drilling will likely reduce pollution in the ocean."

Maybe that has been supported over the last decade, but I can't find anybody pointing to such support and I'm certainly not doing a full citation search tonight.

Also, it is worth pointing out that the press release states that most of the seepage is natural gas which is different than what would be introduced into the water if there were a pipeline spill.

scaeagles · 08-05-2008, 07:32 PM

I thought in looking at statistics for oil seepage, oil was specifically done separately - not in terms of seepage, but oil seepage (in terms of 67% of ocean oil is from seepage, 1% is from drilling, etc).

alphabassettgrrl · 08-05-2008, 08:52 PM

Seepage is normal off our coast. I've seen it on the shore. The difference is the seeped stuff seems to be a bit more solid, and doesn't coat (and kill) birds and other sea life like spilled oil does.

There's not that much, considering it's been seeping for a whole lot of years.

Gemini Cricket · 08-05-2008, 09:04 PM

Enough politics! Let's dance!

BarTopDancer · 08-05-2008, 09:19 PM

Nature, when left alone, takes care of itself. Oil is under the ocean floor naturally. The seepage that is occurring is by design. Who are we to help it along?

Again, if the amount was enough to make a significant difference I'd have a slightly different opinion - but these arguments that drilling will help stave off seepage that is occurring by natures design are null in my mind.

Alex · 08-05-2008, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarTopDancer

The seepage that is occurring is by design.

Oooh, a tangent!

scaeagles · 08-05-2008, 09:29 PM

Ummm....oil is oil no matter how it gets into the ocean, isn't it? Unless I'm missing something, which I could be.

BarTopDancer · 08-05-2008, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scaeagles

Ummm....oil is oil no matter how it gets into the ocean, isn't it? Unless I'm missing something, which I could be.

The difference is, the oil from seepage is how nature designed itself. Oil from leaks and disturbances caused by drilling is not.

alphabassettgrrl · 08-05-2008, 10:35 PM

The seeped oil is solid and doesn't kill birds. Spills kill birds. Different states of oil.

08-05-2008, 07:04 PM	#1
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	Yes, that is the 1999 press release that every single article on the subject I can find points to. I haven't found anybody yet who claims to have read the research, just quoting the press release.
	Submit to Quotes

08-05-2008, 07:16 PM	#2
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	Here's the abstract for the original article in Geology. I don't feel like buying the article itself. Anyway, as you can see from reading the abstract it merely hypothosizes that drilling is the cause of reduced seepage in that area (I've no idea if seepage in Santa Barbara Channel is remotely standard). That's a long way from "off shore drilling will likely reduce pollution in the ocean." Maybe that has been supported over the last decade, but I can't find anybody pointing to such support and I'm certainly not doing a full citation search tonight. Also, it is worth pointing out that the press release states that most of the seepage is natural gas which is different than what would be introduced into the water if there were a pipeline spill.
	Submit to Quotes

08-05-2008, 07:32 PM	#3
scaeagles I LIKE! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,819	I thought in looking at statistics for oil seepage, oil was specifically done separately - not in terms of seepage, but oil seepage (in terms of 67% of ocean oil is from seepage, 1% is from drilling, etc).
	Submit to Quotes

08-05-2008, 08:52 PM	#4
alphabassettgrrl Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,978	Seepage is normal off our coast. I've seen it on the shore. The difference is the seeped stuff seems to be a bit more solid, and doesn't coat (and kill) birds and other sea life like spilled oil does. There's not that much, considering it's been seeping for a whole lot of years. __________________ Why cycling? Anything [sport] that had to do with a ball, I wasn't very good at. -Lance Armstrong
	Submit to Quotes

08-05-2008, 09:04 PM	#5
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244	Enough politics! Let's dance!
	Submit to Quotes

08-05-2008, 09:19 PM	#6
BarTopDancer Prepping... Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Here, there, everywhere Posts: 11,405	Nature, when left alone, takes care of itself. Oil is under the ocean floor naturally. The seepage that is occurring is by design. Who are we to help it along? Again, if the amount was enough to make a significant difference I'd have a slightly different opinion - but these arguments that drilling will help stave off seepage that is occurring by natures design are null in my mind. __________________ Spork is the new MacGyver Postcards From My Edge
	Submit to Quotes

08-05-2008, 09:29 PM	#8
scaeagles I LIKE! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,819	Ummm....oil is oil no matter how it gets into the ocean, isn't it? Unless I'm missing something, which I could be.
	Submit to Quotes

08-05-2008, 10:35 PM	#10
alphabassettgrrl Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,978	The seeped oil is solid and doesn't kill birds. Spills kill birds. Different states of oil. __________________ Why cycling? Anything [sport] that had to do with a ball, I wasn't very good at. -Lance Armstrong
	Submit to Quotes