In spite and despite of the disturbing price escalation in the world market of a commodity that we humans cannot exist without, namely oil, offshore drilling is never a choice. Not only will engaging in this kind of activity bring harm to our environment, with the possibility of oil spills and grave disturbances to the marine life, but this will not bring about lower oil prices as predicted. Fossil fuels, which include oil, coal and natural gas, are nonrenewable sources of energy (California Energy Commission, 2006).
These came from diatoms, creatures like planktons, that died billions of years ago and their bodies were buried under heavy sedimentation through out time (California Energy Commission, 2006).
Somehow, these creatures were preserved by nature with their energies intact, and gradually they became what we now call fossil fuels (California Energy Commission, 2006).
The fossil fuel, oil, is considered to be one of the most needed commodities in the world.
In the United States alone, oil consumption reached 20,680,000 barrels daily in 2007 (Energy Information Administration, 2008).
One oil barrel is equivalent to 158. 9872 liters and each barrel is now priced in the world market as $106. 23 (Williams, 2008).
This is no surprise as to the fossil fuel in its oil form serves many purposes in various industries not only in the country, but around the globe as well. Inside the house, oil can be seen being utilized from appliances to cosmetic products, plastic containers to candles (Paleontological Research Institution, 2005).
The Essay on Pros/Cons, Advantages/disadvantages Of Nuclear Energy/fossil Fuels
Much of the worlds energy is produced from Uranium. This energy is commonly referred to as “nuclear energy” because uranium reacts in nuclear reactors to form heat. When fossil fuels are used for heat, they are just simply burned instead of reacted, so they create only mediocre amounts of heat for the plant. Nuclear power is responsible fore over 11% of the worlds energy, without the ...
Oil, through refining makes very good synthetic fibers that usually end up in our curtains and carpets (Paleontological Research Institution, 2005).
Oil can be used to make detergents, synthetic shoes, rubber, some drugs, pen ink, bandages, paint, and fertilizers (Paleontological Research Institution, 2005).
Apparently, not even half of the oil used for these household and industrial items can measure up to utilization of oil in terms of petroleum consumption. The increasing demand in the country and the increasing world market price prompted the president to reconsider offshore drilling.
Offshore drilling is a process which involves the utilization of certain machines that enable them to “dig” into offshore lands, usually found in the middle of big bodies of water (Freudenrich, 2001).
But it’s not the only requirement needed to operate gigantic oil rigs, finding oil, preparing to dig, the process of drilling itself, and then they will test for oil and extract afterwards (Freudenrich, 2001).
The monetary amount needed to finance an offshore drilling project or business is estimated to cost $500,000 to $550,000 a day, for renting the oil rig alone (Philips, 2008).
The huge amount of financing needed is the start of a string of questions directed towards the president for even thinking of uplifting the ban on this industry. It’s not only the monetary issue; the time allotted for this drilling is not in terms of months. Its going to years before oil is actually dug out of the outer continental shelf anticipated to happen in 2017, which is not really going to help the crisis at hand (Horton, 2008).
The Essay on Alaska Oil Drilling
With the current market trends and the increased demand for crude products, many governments are trying various means to look for alternative reservoirs to meet the needs of consumers and industries. In the United States, one important agenda that the government is advocating involves a program that will address the current needs of American society – exhausting its oil reserves in Alaska. By ...
Also, because the country does not have as much oil supply as the middle east countries do, its contribution to the global market will only be around 0. million barrels per day, compared to world production of 82. 5 billion barrels per day (Horton, 2008).
Monetary and time issues are one thing, but putting the environment at risk is the bigger picture, and combined, there is really no other explanation why offshore drilling should never take place. Creating oil rigs in the middle of the ocean entails a lot of digging and in the process, the natural habitat of the sea creatures are disturbed. Erosion, destruction of kelp beds, reefs and coastal wetlands are among the consequences of digging (Rainforest Action Network, 2002).
Locating oil deposits employ the use of a seismic tester, which creates decibel levels of 260, which can cause disorientation, beaching, and brain hemorrhaging in whales and dolphins (Greenpeace, 2008).
It is not only oil that is released through all the digging and drilling, contaminants such as mercury lead, cadmium and radioactive substances such as radium are also released (Greenpeace, 2008).
Pollution from oil rigs can cause health and reproductive problems for marine creatures and the threat of oil spills is always a possibility (Rainforest Action Network, 2002).
In fact, oil spills have the worst, devastating effect on the environment. When ingested, it can cause death and other grave physiologic effects on the body (Marine Environment Protection, 2003).
The pollution offshore drilling contributes can leave over 90,000 metric tons of drilling fluid and metal cuttings into the ocean, 50 to 100 wells can dump 25,000 pounds of toxic metals, and strong carcinogens like toluene, benzene, and xylene into the ocean, and pollute the air equivalent to 7,000 cars driving 50 miles a day (Rainforest Action Network, 2002).
Offshore drilling is not the answer to increasing oil prices and uncontrollable demands. Fossil fuels are not renewable and if things are going to look as devastating as they are right now, researching and developing renewable sources of energy will save money and not endanger the environment. Conserving energy and cutting back consumption is always an option that people can do to help in lieu of this problem. Alternative sources like wind power and water power will help too. A quick fix is not the real solution because as long as one side of the camp is not approving and unhappy, there has to be something wrong with that solution.
The Term Paper on Anwr Oil Drilling Region Coastal Crude
Destruction of the Environment or Over-Zealous Conservation Introduction: With the 2000 Presidential election looming and both candidates in a near deadlock, Al Gore and George W. Bush have been forced to take stands on some very tough issues that affect the lives of everyday Americans. One of these decisions is what to do about the recent escalating crude oil prices. Many people believe that the ...
