BP (NYSE:BP), Chevron (NYSE:CVX), Conoco (NYSE:COP) and Exxon (NYSE:XOM) met recently with Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Michael Bromwich, among others, over creation of new organization to improve safety measures in the industry through the establishment of best practices guidelines and new technologies related to the industry.
The new entity would be called the Ocean Energy Safety Institute, and would include the Coast Guard, regulators and industry representatives. The technological side would include using funds to do research and develop certain technologies to help the industry.
Interior spokeswoman Kendra Barkoff said about the meeting, “Secretary Salazar, Deputy Secretary David Hayes and Director Bromwich met with industry representatives today to discuss strategies for further developing and making available blowout containment capabilities moving forward.”
Some talk about whether or not the government will help fund the initiative has started, and in our view this shouldn't be something taxpayers should have to pay for.
Let the industry pay for things that could help improve operational safety, led by those that understand what's needed and the stakes at risk.
Other than ensuring compliance, the government should have no other role in the matter.
As far as proposed taxes on the industry, that wasn't included in the discussions, but that as well needs to be dropped so American consumers aren't hit with increased energy costs, which is what the outcome of more taxes would be.
When the government taxes any industry, it's the people who end up paying for it with higher costs.
Showing posts with label Ken Salazar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ken Salazar. Show all posts
Monday, October 25, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Salazar Says No To Lifting Oil Drilling Moratorium: BP (NYSE:BP)
Ken Salazar announced the new moratorium, caused by BP (NYSE:BP) massive oil spill. He said, "So long as the spill is out there and has not been contained and the oil spill response capabilities are all being consumed by the current spill, it's too risky" to lift the moratorium. The revised version identifies at risk wells based on technologies and oil drilling configurations rather than the depth of water. The prior moratoriums focus was banning oil drilling below 500 feet.
Bobby Jindal, Louisiana's Governor said, "This second suspension of deepwater drilling is a clear sign that the administration is unwilling to follow the advice of their own scientist. The ultimate effect of this second moratorium is the same as the first. To shut down drilling operations in the Gulf and risk killing an estimated 20,000 jobs in Louisiana."
The new ban suspends drilling of 21 oil rigs in the Gulf, that's only 12 less than what the original moratorium would have affected. Several oil companies have said they'll go to other countries due to the ban on drilling. One of which is the largest U.S. deepwater oil driller, Diamond Offshore Drilling Inc.
Bobby Jindal, Louisiana's Governor said, "This second suspension of deepwater drilling is a clear sign that the administration is unwilling to follow the advice of their own scientist. The ultimate effect of this second moratorium is the same as the first. To shut down drilling operations in the Gulf and risk killing an estimated 20,000 jobs in Louisiana."
The new ban suspends drilling of 21 oil rigs in the Gulf, that's only 12 less than what the original moratorium would have affected. Several oil companies have said they'll go to other countries due to the ban on drilling. One of which is the largest U.S. deepwater oil driller, Diamond Offshore Drilling Inc.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
New Drilling Ban Issued By U.S. Government, Stemmed From BP (NYSE:BP)
After much criticism, the U.S. Government has issued a new revised moratorium which stemmed from BP's (NYSE:BP) disastrous oil spill. It was said Obama's administration would have to do this after a U.S. appeals court ruled against it, saying there wasn't legal basis to shut down all oil drilling. Especially when so many livelihoods depend upon it.
This new improved moratorium is geared more towards the people and business that have been effected. The priority being to protect the thousands of jobs in the Gulf region, while at the same time looking to make the oil industry safer. Ken Salazar, Interior Secretary, is to issue and put into effect the revised, more flexible moratorium at 4 pm EDT.
A government source said that under the new ban deepwater production will be allowed to continue, only some deepwater drilling will be banned. If new safety and environmental rules are meet than shallow drilling will be allowed to continue. If Salazar finds that deepwater drilling can be resumed safely, the freeze could end before November 30th, continued the source.
According to spokesman Robert Gibbs, the White House feels strongly that the revised moratorium will stand up in court.
This new improved moratorium is geared more towards the people and business that have been effected. The priority being to protect the thousands of jobs in the Gulf region, while at the same time looking to make the oil industry safer. Ken Salazar, Interior Secretary, is to issue and put into effect the revised, more flexible moratorium at 4 pm EDT.
A government source said that under the new ban deepwater production will be allowed to continue, only some deepwater drilling will be banned. If new safety and environmental rules are meet than shallow drilling will be allowed to continue. If Salazar finds that deepwater drilling can be resumed safely, the freeze could end before November 30th, continued the source.
According to spokesman Robert Gibbs, the White House feels strongly that the revised moratorium will stand up in court.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Oil Company Executives Leave Meeting With Salazar Disappointed: BP (NYSE:BP), Exxon (NYSE:XOM), Transocean (NYSE:RIG), Chevron (NYSE:CVX),
Executives from several oil and gas companies including BP (NYSE:BP), Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM), Transocean (NYSE:RIG), Chevron (NYSE:CVX), Noble Energy, Hercules Offshore Inc., Rowan Cos. Inc. (NYSE:RDC), Diamond Offshore Drilling, and Seahawk Drilling, attended an hour long meeting with Ken Salazar, U.S. Interior Secretary today. Also present were the heads of the trade groups for the industry.
The purpose of this meeting was to lift the moratorium imposed by President Obama. Everybody left disappointed as Salazar refused to make any promises that the government would lift the Deep water drilling ban. Kendra Barkoff, Interior spokeswoman confirmed the meeting took place but refused to comment on the contents of the meeting itself.
"Numerous operators told Secretary Salazar that they were in the final stages of moving rigs, deepwater rigs out of the Gulf of Mexico and to West Africa or the Middle East. We were frankly disappointed at the lack of serious attention that was paid by the department of the Interior on the horrible economic impact that the Department of Interior's policies are having on the industry and on communities along the Gulf Coast, " said a source close to the matter.
In letters to the executives of these oil and gas companies, House Democrats questioned if their oil response plans "were adequate to protect the Gulf region from the consequences of a sub sea blowout similar to the blowout" that BP experienced at the Macondo well.
The purpose of this meeting was to lift the moratorium imposed by President Obama. Everybody left disappointed as Salazar refused to make any promises that the government would lift the Deep water drilling ban. Kendra Barkoff, Interior spokeswoman confirmed the meeting took place but refused to comment on the contents of the meeting itself.
"Numerous operators told Secretary Salazar that they were in the final stages of moving rigs, deepwater rigs out of the Gulf of Mexico and to West Africa or the Middle East. We were frankly disappointed at the lack of serious attention that was paid by the department of the Interior on the horrible economic impact that the Department of Interior's policies are having on the industry and on communities along the Gulf Coast, " said a source close to the matter.
In letters to the executives of these oil and gas companies, House Democrats questioned if their oil response plans "were adequate to protect the Gulf region from the consequences of a sub sea blowout similar to the blowout" that BP experienced at the Macondo well.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
BP (NYSE:BP) LIAR, LIAR: Florida Beaches Closed
BP (NYSE:BP) oil seems to want to keep on pretending, by saying things like there are no oil plumes, or that they'll pay off everything and everyone involved with their failure to contain the oil, or how about the fact they are eventually going to file bankruptcy. All the while, the effect of this oil has reached Florida and they are closing their beaches.
Florida has closed over 6 miles of their white sand beaches. What used to be a beautiful beach front filled with bustling tourist staying at Florida's beach resorts this time of year, are now desolate and the white sands are stained with the evidence of the ongoing environmental disaster. Not to mention the massive layoffs that are sweeping the area.
When just days ago BP officials were publicly declaring that Florida would escape the impact of oil upon their shorelines. On Wednesday they were still insisting there are no oil plumes yet the testing done by government showed there are large plumes of crude oil as far as 3,000 feet down. BP seems to be taking a stance of "lets pretend, make believe, or liar liar." Or perhaps they're simply trying to fool the public.
Ken Salazar, The Interior Secretary told U.S. Congress he now expects BP on top of everything else, to pay for canceled salaries of anyone unexpectedly without work because of the six month memorandum on deep ocean drilling.
Florida has closed over 6 miles of their white sand beaches. What used to be a beautiful beach front filled with bustling tourist staying at Florida's beach resorts this time of year, are now desolate and the white sands are stained with the evidence of the ongoing environmental disaster. Not to mention the massive layoffs that are sweeping the area.
When just days ago BP officials were publicly declaring that Florida would escape the impact of oil upon their shorelines. On Wednesday they were still insisting there are no oil plumes yet the testing done by government showed there are large plumes of crude oil as far as 3,000 feet down. BP seems to be taking a stance of "lets pretend, make believe, or liar liar." Or perhaps they're simply trying to fool the public.
Ken Salazar, The Interior Secretary told U.S. Congress he now expects BP on top of everything else, to pay for canceled salaries of anyone unexpectedly without work because of the six month memorandum on deep ocean drilling.
Monday, May 31, 2010
BP (NYSE:BP) Third Oil Containment Attempt, Riskier Than Top Kill
Here we go again, BP (NYSE:BP) is on their third attempt to get some sort of control over the worst oil spill in U.S. history. Jon Pack, a BP spokesman said the cutting will commence soon.
This oil containment procedure includes using underwater robots which will cut the damaged pipe from the leaking well. This does risk causing the crude oil flow to become even worse. This latest procedure was approved by Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and U.S. Energy Secretary Stephen Chu.
Once the damaged pipe is cut, then they will try and attach a pipe onto the leak which if successful, would cause the oil to flow to the surface and then be stored. Pack stated that currently the preparation is being done. If everything goes as planned, it should be completed by June, 6th.
This attempt is considered riskier than the "top kill" attempt, because the whole pipe will be cut off at the riser. If unsuccessful, even more oil will be flowing nonstop into the ocean.
This oil containment procedure includes using underwater robots which will cut the damaged pipe from the leaking well. This does risk causing the crude oil flow to become even worse. This latest procedure was approved by Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and U.S. Energy Secretary Stephen Chu.
Once the damaged pipe is cut, then they will try and attach a pipe onto the leak which if successful, would cause the oil to flow to the surface and then be stored. Pack stated that currently the preparation is being done. If everything goes as planned, it should be completed by June, 6th.
This attempt is considered riskier than the "top kill" attempt, because the whole pipe will be cut off at the riser. If unsuccessful, even more oil will be flowing nonstop into the ocean.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Obama's Minerals Management Service Director Steps Down in Midst of Heavy Criticism
Minerals Management Service Director Elizabeth Birnbaum has stepped down after heavy criticism from all sides after the explosion on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig has resulted in oil spreading across the Gulf of Mexico.
It was announced at a congressional hearing by Interior Secretary Ken Salazar where Birnhaum was scheduled to testify but didn't appear for.
Salazar alleged that Birnbaum's resignation was "on her own terms and her own volition."
While Obama at least is taking some responsibility for the agency, saying there should have been a "greater sense of urgency" in reference to better regulating the industry, some seemingly borderline psychotic Democrats like Nick Rahall, still can't stop blaming President Bush for even this incident, 18 months after he left office. Incredible!
Rahall, who for some reason is the chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee said this, "The departure of Elizabeth Birnbaum from MMS does not address the root problem. She has only been the public face of MMS for 11 months and the most serious allegations occurred prior to her tenure."
Rahall should step down after that unbelievable comment, as he's obviously on the defensive by going on the offensive, after this happening under his watch.
It was announced at a congressional hearing by Interior Secretary Ken Salazar where Birnhaum was scheduled to testify but didn't appear for.
Salazar alleged that Birnbaum's resignation was "on her own terms and her own volition."
While Obama at least is taking some responsibility for the agency, saying there should have been a "greater sense of urgency" in reference to better regulating the industry, some seemingly borderline psychotic Democrats like Nick Rahall, still can't stop blaming President Bush for even this incident, 18 months after he left office. Incredible!
Rahall, who for some reason is the chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee said this, "The departure of Elizabeth Birnbaum from MMS does not address the root problem. She has only been the public face of MMS for 11 months and the most serious allegations occurred prior to her tenure."
Rahall should step down after that unbelievable comment, as he's obviously on the defensive by going on the offensive, after this happening under his watch.
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