Is Offshore Oil Dangerous?

Paul Bickell says in his article" Offshore oil safe and plentiful" that the USA has some resources and they should take the benefit from it. He says that the USA oil production has declined 18 percent since 1995, and they import it from the Middle East and other countries. He says that "The Minerals Management Service, a branch of the Interior Department, estimates that these offshore areas hold 4 billion barrels of oil and 33 trillion cubic feet of natural gas". Then this decline is not because the USA running out of oil, but because the USA government is afraid of some environmental disaster, especially since most of these sources are under water. He says that does not affect the environment, because, "According to the U.S. Coast Guard, from 1980 to 1999, about 7.4 billion gallons of oil was produced offshore, yet the amount of oil spilled was so vanishingly small less than 0.0001 percent".

The United States and other countries should take care of the environment in the world. Oil production, especially that under the water has some bad effects on the environment and it affects the ecosystem in the oceans and specifically in the Pacific coast, because it is the biggest one and the Pacific has been injured from the oil spills more than other oceans. There are three things that affect the environment, governments, the oil that is exploration under the water, and its transportation.

First, there are many governments that have bad effects on the environment in the Pacific and cause the pollution. There are some governments that support the industry and forget about the environment like what happened in Russia when the nuclear reactor exploded. As result, there are many governments that give a statement of some refineries and factories to be near the coast. For example, there are some factories near the coast around the world.

Second, the oil that explored under the water affects the environment for many reasons. Any machine broken or stalled will have some leak and that cause environmental problems. For example, if a car has some problem in the machine, it usually has some oil leak. Moreover, the oil that is explored under the water may have some natural problem like storms and hurricanes, and this may cause many environmental problems, specifically if the oil that is explored hit by these storms and hurricanes.

Third, the oil that is explored under the water requires some transportation and this may cause environmental problems. The ship could be hit by the storms and hurricanes and this leads to spilling the oil in the ocean, as like we have heard in the news. In addition, these ships also could be broken, and this may have some oil leak, or could lead to burn the ship and this affect, the environment by spilling the oil on the ocean.

In conclusion, then the United States government should take the responsibility about saving her environment and not take the risk and not try to search for the oil, especially that which is under the water. I hope that all countries take care of the environment and make it a higher and the most important than anything else.



Reference:
Paul, W. (April 11, 2007). Offshore oil safe and plentiful. Retrieved June 25, 2007 from Lexis Nexis

Pacific Coast

Does the Pacific coast have problems? Is the global warming the only problem that the Pacific coast has? What other problems does the Pacific coast have? Actually there is more than global warming to these problems, which are less fish, more dead birds on the beaches, and much less plankton. There are other things that caused those problems, such as the leaking from the factories, ships, and testing of weapons.

First, the factories that are beside the beaches have some bad effects on the ecosystem on the Pacific coast. The factories have some comical leaking to seas, and these leaks kill the animals in the sea. For example, in 1991 in the Gulf beach, after the Iraq and Kuwait war, there was some oil leak and that killed the fishes and the birds on these beaches. Moreover, the gases that come from the factories caused air pollution and that affected the ecosystem on the Pacific coast. For example, the gases that come from the factories and cars affect our lives in the same way it affects the ecosystem on the Pacific coast. The Pacific coast is exhibition of pollution from many sources and the factories are a part of it.

Second, the ships have some bad effects on the ecosystem on the Pacific coast. There are some ships that throw away the waste and it has some leakage of fuel and gas. For example, we always hear about broken ships in the oceans or seas and these ships of course have some leaks in the fuel and gas. In addition, the oil tankers may encounter a few accidents; after that, it may spill the oil in the oceans and seas. For example, the oil tankers may encounter a few accidents such as storms and hurricanes. The ships have a big part of the pollution problems and the companies who own the ships should control this problem or find a solution to it.

Third, there are some governments that caused the pollution in the Pacific coast. There are some governments that tried their weapons in the Pacific Ocean and that consider environmental disaster. For example, there are some countries that tried their nuclear weapons in the Pacific Ocean. As a result, there are some leaks that result from the trials of the chemical and nuclear weapons in the Pacific Ocean. For example, the chemical and nuclear weapons affect humans and the animals, and of course it has bad effects on the ecosystem on the Pacific coast. These governments should reconsider trying their weapons in the Pacific Ocean.

My opponents say that global warming is more serious than these problems, which are the leaking from the factories, ships, and trials of weapons. However, this is simply wrong. In fact, these problems have more bad effects than global warming. For example, there is no solution if there is big chemical leakage or gas leakage, but there is always a solution to global warming that we can find. Furthermore, the effects that these problems have are faster than the global warming effects. For example, the effects of the nuclear weapons will appear in a few seconds, but the effects of the global warming will appear in years. Then we can say that the leaking from the factories, ships, and weapons trials problems are more serious than global warming.

In conclusion, there are many problems that the Pacific Ocean faces in the future, and we should find the solution to stop it. These problems are serious, and we should take care of our environment before it gets worse and we cannot do anything about it. We have to be one hand to save our planet and make a good life for our children and our grandchildren.

Effects of Oil Spills

The Oil Spills website talks about the bad effects of oil spills. Oil spills have many bad effects on the environment and the economy. First, the environment is damaged by oil spills and the marine animals are affected by oil spills as well. The sea birds and fish will die from oil spills; they will die because the oil spills will poison them or they will lose too much body heat and the marine mammals and reptiles will die also. Second, oil spills affect the economy in many ways such as the fishing and tourism industry.

Oil spills have many bad effects on the environment, economy and the ecosystem. There are many things that cause oil spills and it affects the ecosystem in other ways. I will explain it in this essay.

First, the factories that are beside the beaches have some bad effects on the ecosystem of the ocean. The factories have some oil leaking to seas, and these leaks kill the animals in the sea like the ports. Moreover, the gases that come from the factories cause air pollution and that affects the ecosystem of the ocean. For example, the gases that come from the factories and cars affect in our lives in the same way it affects the mammals and reptiles in the oceans. The oceans are an exhibition of pollution from many things and the factories are a part of it.

Second, the ships have some bad effects on the ecosystem of the oceans. There are some ships that throw away the waste and it has some leakage of fuel and gas. For example, we always hear about broken ships in the oceans or seas, and these ships of course have some leaks in the fuel and gas. In addition, the oil tankers may encounter a few accidents. After that, they may spill the oil in the oceans and seas. For example, the oil tankers may encounter a few accidents such as storms and hurricanes. The ships have a big part of the pollution problems and the companies who own the ships should control this problem or find a solution to it.

Third, the oil that is explored under the water and offshore drilling stations affects the environment for many reasons. Any machine broken or stalled will have some leak and that causes environmental problems. For example, if a car has some problem in the engine, it usually has some oil leak. Moreover, the offshore drilling stations may have some natural problem like storms and hurricanes and this may cause many environmental problems specifically if the offshore drilling stations that is hit by these storms and hurricanes. There are many oil wells in the lands; why they try to find oil in the oceans and seas.

In conclusion, there are many problems that oceans an seas face in the future, and we should find the solution to stop it. These problems are serious, and we should take care of our environment before it gets worse and we cannot do anything about it. We have to act as one hand to save our planet and make a good life for our children and our grandchildren.



Reference:
Effect of Oil Spills. (n.d.). Oil spills. Retrieved June 25, 2007 from http://library.thinkquest.org/C004218/OilEffects.htm

Oil Spills

What does offshore drilling mean? How does offshore drilling affect the environment? How does it cause oil spills? The answer of these questions is easy and simple. Offshore drilling is drilling for oil in the oceans and the seas, and it affects the environment by dumping a lot of toxic materials, and it causes oil spills in many ways, such as people's errors or spill done by accident. My research talks about oil spills, because oil spills are considered the most important thing that cause the pollution in the oceans, especially the Pacific, because it the biggest ocean in our planet and it has a lot of the oil sources.

Oil spills are very dangerous to the environment and humans. So when oil spreads rapidly and overflows in the water, we have to find what the solution to this problem is, and try to not do it again. According to Introduction and Background to the Oil Pollution Prevention Regulation, "Oil discharges can have a severe impact on human drinking water resources located in inland lakes and reservoirs. Spills also create the potential for explosion and fires which, in turn, may lead to more equipment failures, more spills, and endangerment to humans and wildlife".

I planned to write this research about the oil spills because it is the most important thing that threatens the oceans and seas. We have to know the reasons for oil spills and how they affect our lives before trying to find a solution to this problem.

My research paper talks about three things. First, the reasons for oil spills. Next, how oil spills affect in the humans and animals. Finally, the solution for oil spills.

First, offshore drilling affects the environment, and it causes oil spills in the oceans. Oil drilling has many effects on the environment and it causes a lot of environmental problems. Offshore drilling dumps a lot of toxic metals such as chromium and mercury in the oceans, and it pollutes the air as well; according to Committee Against Oil Exploration (n.d.), " Offshore drilling Pollutes the air as much as 7,000 cars driving 50 miles a day"(para. 7). Furthermore, the equipment in the offshore drilling is risky and it may break down or be damaged by any reason and that lead to spilled oil in the oceans, and that has happened; according to Culture Change (n.d.), "In 1998, a rupture in Torch Oil's pipeline spilled 21,000 gallons of oil, damaging a rich ocean fishing ground and killing wildlife in the delicate coastal ecosystem"(para. 8). In addition, oil drilling stations need some transportation, like helicopter and oil tankers, and these tankers, of course need some maintenance, like changing engine oil, and this will cause water pollution. According to Oil Pollution (n.d.), "Used engine oil can end up in waterways. An average oil change uses five quarts; one change can contaminate a million gallons of fresh water" (para. 3). Also, the oil tankers carrying oil could be damaged by natural disasters such as hurricanes, and that may lead to spills the oil in the oceans. Offshore oil industry has many bad effects and the governments who are concerned by oil spills should do something like avoid them.

Second, the oil spills have many effects on human life and animal life. The oil spills in the oceans affect humans, especially in the Pacific Ocean, because it big and there are many countries bordered by it, especially in Asia and Australia. According to FAQ (n.d.), "Volatile components (the strong smell that you feel from oil products is due to such gases that evaporate) of oil can burn eyes, burn skin, irritate or damage sensitive membranes in the nose, eyes and mouth. Hydrocarbons can trigger pneumonia if it enters the lungs. Benzene and other light hydrocarbon can damage red bloods cells, suppress immune systems, strain the liver, spleen and kidneys. Generally, refined products tend to be more toxic, but people who clean up shorelines from oil spills must protect themselves from inhaling these gases, also when it is a matter of crude oil. Some of the light fractions of oil, such as the aromatic components (e.g., benzene), are also known to cause cancer and are very toxic to humans"(para. 14). This means the oil spill, even if it spills in the oceans not on the land, has effects on our health. For example, if there are some people who live on an island and they can smell the volatile components that come from the oil, they will be threatened by these epidemics and illnesses. Moreover, the animals are also affected by the oil spill in the oceans. Most animals have olfaction and they also can be affected by the volatile components, and I talk here about the animals that live on the lands. The marine animals like dolphins, whales and fishes are threatened by oil spills more than wild animals because they live in the oceans. The oil spills can kill the animals by entry into the lungs of animals and poisoning by the oil or by being blinding it. According to Marine Life Facts (n.d.), "The oceans contain 99 percent of the living space on the planet"(para. 1). We have to protect the marine animals and keep the oceans clean. We should understand that we are part of the environment to protect from ourselves and help ourselves to survive in this planet.

Third, oil spills is not problem that we can not handle, and there are some solutions to it. The best solutions to the oil spills is to prevent them before they happen in the first place, and that is not impossible; according to Wilson, Staff, Biology (1995), "To prevent oil spills might include increasing the thickness of ships hulls, reducing the consumption and need for oil in our culture, or creating stricter standards or regulations for the transport of oil" (para. 2). On the other hand, the companies who are responsible for oil spills clean it up but first they have to know many things such as weather and amount of oil spilled, and after that, start to clean it up; according to Oil Spills (n.d.), "The workers can use skimmers. Skimmers are boats that can remove the oil off the water. Sorbents are sponges that can collect the oil. An airplane can fly over the water dropping chemicals into the ocean. The chemicals can break down the oil into the ocean" (para. 21) and there are other solutions which include burning, but this will cause air pollution. There are many kinds of equipment to clean up the oil spills after they happen but the best is to prevent oil spills before it happened.

My opponents say that offshore drilling is very safe because of the technology that offshore drilling stations use. However, this is simply wrong. In fact, the machines might explode or be disrupted by high pressure and temperature like what happened with cars, planes and ships. Moreover, the workers who work in the offshore drilling stations are not machines; they could make some mistakes and ruin the station. According to Donatoni (n.d.) "The truth is that accidents CAN happen, with the main cause being human error, not the technology that is used. These accidents include leaks, spills, blowouts, barge collisions, pipeline corrosion, and explosions" (para. 12). As a result, for these reasons drilling for oil in the oceans is not safe.

In conclusion, there are many problems that oceans face, especially the Pacific, because it the biggest ocean in our planet and we should find the solution to stop it or to find something else to depend on to make the energy. These problems are serious and we should take care of our environment before it gets worse and we cannot do anything about it. In this research I tried to explain how the pollution comes and affects in our lives; also I tried to find some solution to these problems. We have to work with one hand to save our planet and make a good life for our children and our grandchildren.

Reference:
FAQ. (n.d.). Global Marine Oil Pollution Information Gateway. Retrieved June 22, 2007 from http://oils.gpa.unep.org/facts/faqs.htm

Oil Spills. (n.d.). Retrieved June 22, 2007 from http://library.thinkquest.org /CR0215471/oil_spills.htm

Marine Life Facts. (n.d.). Ocean Planet. Retrieved June 22, 2007 from http://seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov/OCEAN_PLANET/HTML/education_marine_life_factsheet.html

Committee Against Oil Exploration. (1998). Culture Change. Retrieved June 22, 2007 from http://www.culturechange.org/caoe.html

Oil Pollution. (n.d.). Ocean Planet. Retrieved June 22, 2007 from http://seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov/OCEAN_PLANET/HTML/peril_oil_pollution.html#CLEANUPS

Wilson, K. (n.d.). Earth Sciences. Retrieved June 22, 2007 from http://madsci.org/posts/archives/may96/818177470.Es.r.html

Donatoni, M. (n.d.). Offshore Drilling. Retrieved June 22, 2007 from http://cseserv.engr.scu.edu/StudentWebPages/MDonatoni/ ResearchPaper.htm

Introduction and Background to the Oil Pollution Prevention Regulation. (n.d.). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved June 22, 2007 from http://www.epa.gov/Region6/6sf/sfsites/oil/introbak.htm