Alaska oil field shut down

[Lindaloo]

They should have a BACKUP PLAN, pipeline, etc. for situations like this Then they'd be able to take it offline and use another pipeline for backup.

Yes, I'm sure it's extremely easy to get the necessary permits to build backup oil pipelines throughout the Alaskan wilderness.

Don't give me that eye roll...I would think that in the area that they are currently drilling they could do that, like one parallel to the other.

In other parts of the state that would be a different story of course.

[Stephanie]

You dang right it is causing panic. Actually, it is down right ridiculous.


Steph, their back up was leaking oil that amounted to about 7 barrels. THAT is why they did the diagnostics on the main pipeline. Heck, it saddens me to know that the experts do not even know how long it will take to bring it offline. Isn't that what they do? That right there proves they have no clue about preventative maintenance. All they have are excuses like someone else I know.


Well, we do use gas and fuel gtalum. 3% is 3%. The oil companies will raise prices because of how the stock market reacts to this pipeline being offline. You need to check that out and give us an excuse for that too because the prices at the pumps have already started creeping this morning.

By your posts you are coming across like you have some kind of inside information. Please enlighten us.

Did not know that. Thank you for that FACT Lindaloo. I'm even more impressed by our fat-cat oil industry owners now!

I'm looking forward to the day that's coming even faster where we are much more reliant on alternative fuels for home and for driving and when oil is available again we just don't need it anymore. We shouldn't be so dependant on one source of fuel that's literally finite and that the majority of it comes from areas that are so unstable that we are literally held hostage by it.

[Lindaloo]

I am waiting for that day too Steph. THEN who will we have to defend the oil companies? LOL!

[Stephanie]

I am waiting for that day too Steph. THEN who will we have to defend the oil companies? LOL!

Not me!

[rainstorm]

ill defend the oil companies, even though they need no defense. for one thing, they are fully funding their retirees pensions, unlike the airlines and auto companies, whose retirees the taxpayer will have to fund. also, if you take out every cent of profit in a gallon of gas, the price would drop a whole 8 cents.

one final point. what was bp supposed to do? if the pipeline did break and a huge oil spill ensued, the same eniros who stop us from drilling now, would demand all drilling in alaska stop.

if anyone can come up with a plan to sell gas at a lower price than the oil companies do, feel free to post your plan here. i would like to know one thing. to any business owners here, do you sell your products at "cost", and accept no profit for your efforts?

[gtalum]

Wasn't the oil provided by the fields in the Gulf Coast providing about 8% of the oil to the country? Suddenly there's a couple of hurricanes and we have a panic on our hands of about $1.00....

True, but that wasn't the main reason for that increase. Prices kept going up even when the production was more or less stabilized by the end of '05.

[gtalum]

I'm looking forward to the day that's coming even faster where we are much more reliant on alternative fuels for home and for driving and when oil is available again we just don't need it anymore. We shouldn't be so dependant on one source of fuel that's literally finite and that the majority of it comes from areas that are so unstable that we are literally held hostage by it.

For what it's worth, I agree 100% with this sentiment.

IMHO, it's criminal that we haven't been building nuclear power plants. Ultimately that is the solution to our problem in the mid to long term.

[rainstorm]

who has stopped us from expanding nuclear power? the same people who are blocking the expansion of oil drilling?

[gtalum]

who has stopped us from expanding nuclear power? the same people who are blocking the expansion of oil drilling?

Yes, from what I understand that's correct.

[rainstorm]

perhaps thats where the blame for high prices should lay

[gtalum]

perhaps thats where the blame for high prices should lay

It's certainly one place to lay legitimate blame. There are multiple factors at work, though.

[vbhoutex]

I'm looking forward to the day that's coming even faster where we are much more reliant on alternative fuels for home and for driving and when oil is available again we just don't need it anymore. We shouldn't be so dependant on one source of fuel that's literally finite and that the majority of it comes from areas that are so unstable that we are literally held hostage by it.

For what it's worth, I agree 100% with this sentiment.

IMHO, it's criminal that we haven't been building nuclear power plants. Ultimately that is the solution to our problem in the mid to long term.

And working on "cold fusion" or whatever it is that is actually a self perpetuating fuel that never runs out. Of course there are those that say this is just a theory that will never work. Has that been determined yet? I don't see much of anything about it in the news anymore.

[gtalum]

And working on "cold fusion" or whatever it is that is actually a self perpetuating fuel that never runs out. Of course there are those that say this is just a theory that will never work. Has that been determined yet? I don't see much of anything about it in the news anymore.

"Cold fusion" turned out to be a hoax. However, nuclear fusion of hydrogen molecules into helium atoms as a means of generating electricity is making real progress in the laboratory. Currently, though, so much energy is needed to contain the reaction that it is unsustainable for long periods of time. If we can ever get to the point where we can efficiently contain a fusion reaction and efficiently capture its energy, it could be the revolution that makes energy nearly free.

[Stephanie]

one final point. what was bp supposed to do? if the pipeline did break and a huge oil spill ensued, the same eniros who stop us from drilling now, would demand all drilling in alaska stop.

This is the same area where they estimate we may get a year or two worth of oil AT MOST. Doesn't make much sense to me to rip up the virgin landscape so we can keep feeding the addiction along. Plus, this isn't going to help us NOW.

As far as nuclear energy, I'd like to see any one of you raise your hand up and say that you want one of THOSE in your backyard. I have three within a 50 mile radius of me, one of them being Limerick.

[rainstorm]

i have one close to me. whats the problem? and if we get so little from alaska to begin with, why are so many griping about bp? i would think people would be appluading the shutdown of oil production. people who want no production should be delighted with paying high prices for gas. whats the beef?

[gtalum]

As far as nuclear energy, I'd like to see any one of you raise your hand up and say that you want one of THOSE in your backyard. I have three within a 50 mile radius of me, one of them being Limerick.

Would I want to look at it? No. Would I care if one was 10 miles away? Not at all. There are plenty of remote places to put nuclear power plants where people won't have to look at them.

[vbhoutex]

Back to the matter at hand. How in the hell did BP get away with 16 years of no inspection of those pipelines? Any dummy knows metal corrodes no matter what environment it is in and must be maintained. What they have done, is in my book, inconscionable!!! They should be fined big time and forced to fix it right and fix it fast!!!! You can bet they got all sorts of concessions from Alaska and from the feds!!!

[george_r_1961]

Back to the matter at hand. How in the hell did BP get away with 16 years of no inspection of those pipelines? Any dummy knows metal corrodes no matter what environment it is in and must be maintained. What they have done, is in my book, inconscionable!!! They should be fined big time and forced to fix it right and fix it fast!!!! You can bet they got all sorts of concessions from Alaska and from the feds!!!

David im waiting for someone to tell us its because of all the taxes they pay and that they still fund their own pensions

[george_r_1961]

perhaps thats where the blame for high prices should lay

It's certainly one place to lay legitimate blame. There are multiple factors at work, though.

Yep. Like greed.

[Stratosphere747]

No doubt that BP has been negligent.

But how can the discussion at hand go any further?

Oil is as political as it can get.