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The Effects of Offshore Drilling

Offshore drilling is a practice that has lent itself the way of life we have shaped for ourselves. It has proven itself to be effective in what it accomplishes. The money put into the process has been outweighed by the money that comes out of the process. There are some other considerations that are increasingly important, though, and some realities that are influencing the cost-effectiveness of the offshore drilling.

  1. What is Offshore Drilling

    • Offshore drilling is an exploratory process whose goal is to retrieve oil from beneath the floor of the water. Most "rigs" that perform offshore drilling are located in oceans, though the term may also be applied to drilling done in lakes or other bodies of water. The entire process involves much more than the drilling.

    Routine Pollution

    • In the process of drilling a large amount of routine pollution is created. The oil rig is located out on the water. The waste that is created has to be properly disposed of. The result is that some amount of simple (individual use) waste, created by the individuals who live and work on the rig, finds its way into the waters. Beyond this there is the industrial pollution. The pollution that is created in routine operation of the rig will vary based on the rig's operation. Among the pollution created is the mixture created when the drilling fluid mixes with the rock that is being drilled. The result is a harmful pollutant that is rarely completely cleaned up. Other consistent pollutions are air pollution created from the operation of machinery and the burn-off of gases. For each rig it is estimated that there may be 8,000 square feet of pollution and an estimated thickness of up to 1 meter. This pollution may result from a combination of the materials used and lasts up to 40 years.

    Accident

    • Accidents on oil rigs also create pollution. There is a process known as a blow-out; this is when high-pressure gas is blown back up through the drill pipe. This can result in a spray of drilling fluid and any number of pollutants that may be in the pipe. There is also the risk of spilling. With drilling comes the hope of collecting large amounts of oil. There is then the potential for the spilling of these oil deposits. Because of the unpredictable nature of accidents, basically any material on the rig may be introduced into the surrounding environment.

    Are There Regulations

    • There are numerous regulations and with increased environmental awareness there are increasingly strict rules. These regulations intend to keep the environment clean while allowing the process of offshore drilling to continue. Among the least regulated areas of recent years has been in routine pollution. While intentional dumping is prohibited, runoff and other common occurrences that result in pollution have not received the same amount of regulation.

    What Can I Do

    • As a consumer you can choose who you give your dollar to. You can also choose to contact your legislators. Cooperating and combining efforts for positive outcome can be a progressive thing and can result in swift action. The environment is important and the health of our oceans and other bodies of water can create waves felt across the land.

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