Oil Drilling and Towards This End This

¶ … oil drilling and towards this end this study will examine issues related to oil drilling and specifically as oil drilling relates to the environment. According to 'Live Science' when it comes to oil drilling "there are extremes on both sides." (2014, p. 1) Firstly, the attempt to "pin down the impact of seismic waves on wildlife often must rely on caged animals" when it comes to experiements in the laboratory. (Live Science, 2014, p.

1) I ti sreported that Exxon Mobile has to suspend Madagascar exploration for oil when in exxcess of 100 whales ended up beaching themselves. (Live Science, 2014, paraphrased) There are however, some important advances in the process of drilling oil in terms of bringing about a reduction in the environmental footprint and stated specifically is that the oil companies "are now able to drain several oil fields from one platform. And new horizontal drilling techniques allow more oil to be extracted from a single well." (Live Science, 2014, p.

1) In terms of major infrastructure it is reported that "infrastcture such as roads, jet landing strips, repair shops, homes and industrial complexes -- is, of course, still necessary and could disturb wildlife that is accustomed to pristine land, said Charles Clusen, director of National Parks and Alaska Projects for the Natural Resources Defense Council." (Live Science, 2014, p.

1) In the 1970s many of the same concerns arose over the construction of the Alaskan Pipeline however, the report goes on to state that there "hasn't really been any effect on the wildlife; they congregate near the pipeline and it doesn't seem to bother them." (Live Science, 2014, p. 1) The work of Horton (2014) reports that any time that oil is "recovered from the ocean floor, other chemicals and toxic substances come up too -- things like mercury, lead and arsenic that are often released back into the ocean.

The infrastructure required to drill wells and transport offshore oil can be equally devastating. A series of canals built across Louisiana wetlands to transport oil has led to erosion. Along with the destruction of the state's marshland caused by drilling efforts, the canals have removed an important storm buffer, possibly contributing to the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina. The petrochemical plants built nearby add to the negative effects." (Horton, 2014, p.

1) However those who support drilling offshore cite the technological improvements and stronger oversight of the government stating that drilling for oil is very safe. It is stated specifically that "since 1975, offshore drilling has had a 99.999% safety record [source: EIA]. The amount spilled has decreased from 3.6 million barrels in the 1970s to less than 500,000 in the '90s. Believe it or not, more oil actually spills into U.S. waters from natural sources and municipal and industrial waste than it does than from offshore oil and gas drilling.

As far as the toxic chemicals are concerned, specialists say most of them are at insignificant levels since discharges are regulated by state and federal laws. The mercury released, for example, isn't enough to be absorbed by fish." (Horton, 2014, p.