The Gulf Spill: No End In Sight

Update:

So its been over 2 months now since the Deepwater Horizon rig exploded and sunk resulting in 11 casualties and a massive oil spill.  Every since oil has continued to gush from approximately a mile below the ocean surface.  So far all containment efforts have either failed or not met projected recovery estimates.  At best BP has been able to recover maybe half of the oil spilling from their well, using the latest containment cap solution, and not the 90% that they had forcasted that they would be able to by this point. This is also exacerbated by continual blunders on BPs part to keep the containment cap in place, or to get one in place to begin with.  The other little tid bit is that there is great uncertainty at the amount of oil being released into the Gulf.  Estimates range from 30-60,000 barrels a day or approximately 1.25 to 2.5 million gallons a day.  The oil will continue to leak into the Gulf until relief wells are drilled in August, more than a month away.  Already, an estimated 40-110 million gallons have been spilled into the Gulf. This spill will likely take the place as the worse oil spill in history that was not deliberately set into motion, however based on the court hearings and as evidence comes to light we may find that it was somewhat deliberate due to gross negligence on behalf of BP. (BBC, NYT)

Oil has now washed ashore on the coast of every state in the Gulf.  Birds, turtles, fish, sharks, marshes, developing and young animals, and all the little organisms in the ocean that these creatures ultimately feed on to survive are being affected, poisoned, killed by the impacts from the millions upon millions of gallons of crude oil spewing from the ocean floor.(CSM)  This link will explain more than you ever wanted to know.

To top it off, as if the above news was not good enough, well guess what....It Hurricane Season! So what this means is that BP will be unable to capture any oil or make progress drilling their relief wells during times when tropical storms threaten the area.  So, expect oil to be spilling, lots of it, unmitigated, for days and days on end. You know, seems to me to be pretty much the same news that we have been hearing for the last 2 months. All I have to say is pretty awesome, thanks BP, my hat's off to you! (Wall Street Journal)

The Gulf Spill: Oil On-shore

Update:

So now its be 34 days of oil spilling into the Gulf of Mexico, from an oil exploration well which was drilled under the direction of BP, who now claims that they never intended to use the well for oil production. This seems funny to me, I mean why drill an oil well if you don't intend to produce oil from it?(Link) Further, why go through the trouble of drilling a 12 thousand foot deep well in nearly 5,ooo ft of ocean if you never intended on producing oil from the well? How much sense does that make? If that makes sense to anybody else, I have a great business opportunity for them....wanna buy this bridge? Its a great investment and the best part is, you don't even have to use it!

Regardless, oil has begun washing ashore in Louisiana. An estimated 65 miles of coast line have been impacted with more to come. This scenario will likely get much worse. Here is a link to some pictures to give you an idea of what this stuff really looks. (Pictures) This stuff, sweet crude, is not going to be easily cleaned up.

In The News: Pressure Put on BP

The Government is really sticking it to BP on this whole oil spill issue, now-a-days, as it turns out. Let me ask, where have you been for the last month or more EPA? Government? Hello...Hello? Oh wait, turns out someone is there after all. Huh, could have fooled me. I thought BP was running the country there for a bit. So, that first link pretty much supports this but it turns out that there are some concerns with the use of vast quantities of dispersant's in the Gulf. Personally, when it's documented that a chemical has not been tested, and the effects from said chemical are not known, that's a red flag for me, and kind of leads me to question whether it should be used at all. I guess what's a months worth of use, couple hundred thousand gallons of an untested chemical, who's ingredients are unreleased by it's manufacturer? We do know one thing, its effective in making millions of gallons of oil a lot less visible on the surface of an ocean. It gets better though. So the EPA says, hey BP we want you to use a less harmful dispersant, and BP says no. Makes you wonder who is really running the show. BP did agree to using lesser amounts though. Who knows what that means at this point, probably means that they are going to use as much as they see fit and just report whatever amount they agreed to with the EPA.

The article also pointed out that there is some doubt regarding the quantity of oil actually released and what has been reported by BP. Here is a time laps map produced by the NYT which shows the progression of the spill and the spill estimates as the days go by. What we are shown are the 3 leading estimates, one by BP ie. NOAA, and 2 others derived by independent experts. (Map) (BBC, MSN great links) Seems pretty striking that the BP provided estimate is soo much lower than the others. This might be contributing to the reason why BP has not released all information they have gathered on this issue, but have no fear, the EPA is here! They are going to form a task force...Oh, yes we can! We will see, it may take another month to raise the same questions I did a month ago, but better late than never.

Two Sides to Every Tale:

So, I think we can all agree that this is a terrible event and given the circumstances by which this occurred one would think that it would have been stopped by now. However, since all solutions so far have failed we wait till tomorrow to see if success can be had with BP's 'Top Shot' solution. Surprisingly enough, not everybody in the Louisiana area is fed up with the off short drilling, even in the midst of this spill. Off shore drilling began in Louisiana, and it will continue down there regardless of what happens with this spill. (Link) All I can say is that I hope this next solution works, I hope that the MMS folks are fired or prosecuted, I hope that much greater regulations of the oil industry are put in place, I hope that the mitigation caps are raised, and I hope beyond hope that this never happens again. But as long as there is oil being drilled and produced there will be oil being spilled.

The Gulf Oil Spill: Update

Update:

So nothing really new is going on. BP is siphoning off approximately 5,000 barrels of oil a day into a supertanker, utilizing a hose connected to the gushing failed well. However, oil continues to be released in vast quantities into the ocean.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8696073.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/us_and_canada/10141194.stm

Its been documented that the spill far exceeds BP's original estimate of 5,000 barrels a day. The oil plume is reaching coast lines, and washing up on shores. Untold quantities of oil are still being released and potentially will be for weeks to come. This is the worst oil spill in US history far exceeding that of the Exxon Valdez spill. The above links have a few videos embedded in them that show what the oil looks like and Obama's declaration of the policy action he intends to take. (It's about time)

The way I see it is that some good will come from this oil spill. Finally, the government will get involved in the oil industry in the United States. Regulations and standards will likely be created. Unfortunately its kind of a too little too late scenario. These regulations are being forced onto the agenda by public outcry. The gulf states are going to be majorly impacted for many years to come. The wildlife in the gulf is likely going to suffer much greater loses than we puny humans. Furthermore, off-shore oil exploration and production will continue.

Personal Note:

I don't claim to be an expert, I don't claim to be an oil proponent and I don't see myself as a 'radical liberal environmentalist.' However, I have had conversations with many many people regarding this issue and I find it interesting to see their reactions and the amount of attention people are giving this event. The vast majority of people I have spoken with don't seem to have any clue whats happening, the extent of the situation, none of it. Those that do either agree with me that there is a serious problem with industry/governmental relations that is very destructive to our country and that this is a very sad event, or they think more along the lines of what the news and BP have disclosed, kind of a devils advocate mentality. Most notably, I had a length conversation with a gentlemen who literally word for word regurgitated the news coverage saying things like "Its a big ocean" or "oil leaks from the ground naturally, oil spills are nothing new" or "look, personally I don't really care because its not in my backyard." I find it funny that people are willing to believe everything that they are told, and that they are ready to be down right combative when you question there opinions. How can society, and peoples intellect progress if nobody is willing to question things or look for greater truths or open themselves up to possibilities that are outside of their personal comfort levels. I also think its funny that some people are willing to be complacent about soo many things happening around them. I mean yeah its a big world, and yes we are all busy with our day to day lives, but things are happening around us at all times and many of those things are outside of our control, but that shouldn't mean that these events don't or won't have an effect on us or that our personal existences are more important than those of people on the other side of the country. I don't claim to have all the answers or be the most involved person, but I do have curiosities, I do question people and the news, I want to know whats happening around me, I want to be involved, I am effected by events regardless of there proximity to me, and further I want other people to know what I know so that they can hopefully pass that along to others and spread the collective wealth of knowledge, and information around.

The Gulf Oil Spill: Set Backs

Spill Update:

Now over 3.5 million gallons of oil have been released from BP's failed oil exploration well in the Gulf of Mexico. BP attempted to lower a cofferdam or 'funnel' over the broken well piping and capture the majority of the leaking oil. However, during the lowering of the cofferdam, engineers noticed that ice or more specifically gas hydrates have formed in the piping of the cofferdam stopping it up. BP officials have moved the cofferdam some distance from the oil leak, where it is currently resting on the sea floor until engineers can come up with a solution that will allow it to work as intended or another solution that might work better.

Other options have been developed to stop up the leaking well piping and potentially the blow out preventer such as by plugging the piping with shredded tires, golf balls and other objects. Additionally it has been speculated that a smaller or different shaped cofferdam may be able to cap of some of the oil leak without having the gas hydrate issues that the larger one suffered. (news articles BBC, AP, Reuters)

Gas Hydrates:

Gas hydrates are found abundantly around the world on the sea floor and in the subsurface. These hydrates are naturally occurring in area like the sea floor due to the cold temperatures and high pressures that occur in these environments of the world. “Gas hydrates are clathrate compounds. A clathrate is simply a structure in which water molecules under certain conditions bond to form an ice-like cage that encapsulates a gas molecule, known as a guest molecule. When that guest is a methane molecule, you have methane hydrate.” (link) Gas hydrates are very flammable, and unstable which is what is causing concern for the BP engineers.

Gas hydrates are likely formed by microbial reduction of CO2 in the oceans, and these hydrates can form relatively quickly as we have seen with the cofferdam in this oil spill crisis. Methane is a hot topic as far as energy security issues go being that is the main ingredient in natural gas, which is widely used for domestic heating, and cooking needs. However, do to the unstable nature of these hydrates and the role that methane plays as a greenhouse gas have givin rise to concerns regarding climate impacts due to its release into the atmosphere. Methane/natural gas is much more efficient energy source that oil or coal, yet it is 25 times more destructive to our atmosphere than CO2. For more information on methane refer to this link. (link)

Surprising Turn of Events:

In the days following the this unfortunate turn of events, all news agencies reported that the Obama administration had put a ban on further oil drilling offshore, due to the inherent risks involved in the industry and the potential for additional releases and spills, until a full review had been conducted of the incident. However, this account was rather misleading I have come to find out. The Guardian has reported that, similar to the BP exploration well, environmental reviews have been waived on additional new offshore drilling projects. This is striking being as though we have seen that equipment can fail, rigs can sink, and that it is very difficult to control what is going on at great depths in the ocean. Check out the article.

Conclusions:

After 19 days still no progress has been made to contain this oil spill, and coast lines throughout the Gulf are beginning to see the effects first hand, arriving on their beaches. Shore birds, and sea life are being impacted and the extent of the damage has yet to be assessed. So far all mitigation strategies have failed and 5,000 barrels of oil are still being released into the Gulf. To make matters worse, in an era of government where the environment and its stewardship were large issues, we are seeing a blind eye being turned to big oil in America. I guess money is still the big motivator as far as governmental policies are concerned. Yes we can...doesn't mean we will.

The Gulf Oil Spill: Progress

Update:

Today BP has lowered the 'funnel' device down onto the leaking well. It is estimated to take 2 additional days to be able to connect a pipe to the funnel in order to facilitate the recovery of this oil by ship and minimize the spilling of oil into the gulf. This funnel is essential a 100 ton box of steel and concrete, which will cap most of the well at depth on the sea floor. However, this will not stop the oil leak completely, it has been estimated to limit the spread by 85%. So instead of 5000 barrels a day the spill will have been reduced to more like 750 barrels or approximately 30,000 gallons a day. This doesn't stop the leak, but it reduces it, showing progress, limiting the effects to wildlife that have been predicted. (BBC article with map and images)

Wildlife Effected:

News reports have documented that the Brenton National Wildlife Reserve has been closed to the public due to the slick reaching the outer most shores. Only cleanup crews are allowed into the reserve to try and protect and clean affected coastal areas and nesting sea birds. Furthermore, the marshes of the Chandeleur Islands have been impacted by the oil spill. The Chandeleur Islands are of particular importance to the Gulf fishing industry. We will have to wait and see what the effects are of this impact. (guardian article #1 and #2) Sea birds have already felt the effects of the oil and they are estimated to be the most vulnerable. The extent of the impacts to the sea birds will likely be related to how much of the coastal marsh area are impacted by the spill.

Conclusions:

Unfortunately we will not know if this strategy has been successful for sometime, likely not till early next week. One report I read says that if the piping port of this funnel becomes clogged it could cause yet another explosion, causing the funnel to fail, without stopping the leak and potentially causing more damage to the leaking well pipe producing a greater leak. This funnel will not contain all of the leaks, one will remain and if the first funnel strategy is successful a second funnel will be deployed to contain the remaining leak. I am not certain if both funnels will completely stop the spread of oil in the Gulf, from the leaking well, or if it will just greatly reduce the amounts released to the Gulf, my hunch says its likely the later. This leak and its potential to cause a greater spill likely won't be stopped until this well is finally capped by the drilling of the relief well. However, any leaking oil from a man made cause is too much in my opinion, and why greater mitigation efforts were not readily available the entire time this exploration well was being drilled is out of my realm of understanding, and makes very little sense.

For those who are really curious, here is an article which briefly describes some of the worlds worst oil spills. The worst spill of this list actually occurred in the Gulf in 1979 and it was also an oil exploration well that went uncapped for many many months and ended up releasing an estimated 147 million gallons of crude. The numbers in this report are a little deceiving being that they are reported in tonnes of oil. I guess, if nothing else this should be looked at from a mindset that while oil spills are very destructive nature has a way of dealing with those stresses. It also goes to show that the Gulf has been subject to great environmental injustices and will likely continue to be. Its amazing to me that there is still so much wildlife present in a place that has been so thoroughly tested and pushed to its ecological limits. ( Article)

Below is a youtube video for your viewing pleasure. Here is a link to some striking images of the event. (link)

Thanks for reading.

Scientists warn of 'irreversible' climate shifts

The Seattle Times has been, from time to time, reporting on different instances and facets of this problem known to many as climate change. This most recent article is pretty startling, but for those who know me this should not be new news. I have been ranting about these potential problems for years now, largely falling on def ears but as more and more coverage is being made by large news sources I hope that the numbers of disbelievers quickly dwindles.

"We know from scientific evidence that climate change is a reality and that climate change will have damaging effects on the economy all over the world," said Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen, one of the politicians attending the scientific conference. "Therefore we need an agreement and we need an agreement this year." Actually we needed an agreement about 10 years ago and likely would have seen one if Al Gore had become president, buts that's a whole additional argument.

The long and the short is that human induced changes to the climate are real, have become largely irreversible, and will have far reaching impacts across the globe and no nation will be spared. Some nations will be better off than others, small island nations will be wiped away and we are likely to see many other massive lifestyle impacts occur globally.

Here is a link to the times article.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008835298_apeudenmarkclimatechange.html

Here is a link to another, very similar article with predictions regarding the fate of the rain forests, also know as the lungs of the world.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7940532.stm

In our lifetimes we will see the greatest amount of change anybody could have ever foretold. Not just technological changes but changes in the very landscapes around us, the processes of the world and the climate. These articles are just the tip of the ice berg. There is a much more startling reality underlying all of these predictions. If these changes do indeed take place we will see CO2 levels sky rocket, this will last for a nearly indefinite period of time, unless it triggers an ice age or other major event, in which case we could be on the verge of the next mass extinction.