What effects would off-shore drilling have on the environment?

Question

What effects would off-shore drilling have on the environment?

Answer 1

Most off-shore drilling is a very dirty business.  But, Norway has developed a much cleaner procedure.

Petroleum waste kills ocean life.  It creates a filthy thick sludge on the ocean bottom which prohibits life on the ocean floor.  This results in less food for largers fish and mammals and the area dies.

Every part of our oceans has a thin layer of oil upon it.  Humans are very dirty.

Answer 2

NONE !!! It is done all over the world. It is stupid to play this game . We can not drill but it is ok for Chins to drill  in our back yard.

Answer 3

Absolutely no impact to the environment.

Currently there are extensive off shore drilling projects in the Gulf of Mexico, and in the North Sea between Norway and the UK.  There is never any news of any environmental damage.

Even when Katrina went through the Gulf, there was no oil spills even though some platforms recieved damage.

Modern technology is to the point where drilling and the environment can be done side by side.

Answer 4

none, cause we here in the US will never do it, while other countries are drilling as we speak just outside of our waters, sucking up all the black gold for themselves. some of the oil is in our territory, but know one cares

Answer 5

Bush to lift executive ban on offshore oil drilling:):):):):):)

Answer 6

The main problem with off-shore drilling is not spills form the rig itself but in transportation of the oil via boat and pipeline.

"The biggest pollution risk involved in offshore drilling is in transporting the oil back to shore — by pipeline, barge or tanker.

The 2002 National Research Council report found that marine transportation was responsible for one-third of worldwide petroleum spillage, about eight times the amount caused by drilling platforms and pipelines."

There are also problems with mercury and lead spilling into the waters and affecting the marine life as well as those who might eat them.

"When oil is brought up from beneath the ocean floor, other things are, too. Chemicals and toxic substances such as mercury and lead can be discharged back into the ocean.

The water pumped up along with the oil may contain benzene, arsenic and other pollutants. Even the exploration that precedes drilling, which depends on seismic air guns, can harm sea mammals."

Finally it is poor Feng Shui. It is unsightly to have to look at these beasts which I believe will also effect the tourist economies of the various coastlines.

"Every three to four years, it says, a spill of at least 10,000 barrels can be expected.

"If that hit a beach in western Florida once every four years, I think people would care," says Michael Gravitz of Environment America. "Those communities live and die by having clean beaches.""

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries...

Answer 7

In California at least it would make for cleaner beaches. Back in the 60s and 70s when they were pumping tar balls and black sand virtually vanished from our beaches because the pressure was taken off the natural oil seeps on the ocean floor. Since they stopped pumping the tar ball and black sand is back even worse than it was before. So for clean tar free beaches bring back the pumping.

Answer 8

Matthew 6:24/[3:5]

it could be disastrous.

All correction is up to our LORD.

"The LORD will give strength to His people;

The LORD will bless His people with peace."  -Psalm 29:11

edit: Propaganda is just another form of a lie.  The truth is not propaganda.  It would most certainly have an affect as many know well.  Big oil is actively lobbying to open it up and one should question their motives in sincerity.

May God bless America, may God guide us and protect us.

amen.

Answer 9

Not as much as motor boats, cars, trash, wildfires, oilspills, etc.