Monday 3 May 2010
The Gulf of Mexico Oil Slick
Yet another environmental disaster strikes the world, with the same devastating consequences for wild life and regional industries. BP admits responsibility, but says that it is not to blame for the accident which sank the rig on 22nd April. President Obama is insisting that BP must pay the bill for the clean-up. No-one is saying much about the 11 or so workers killed in the accident. What should be done now? Must the world accept that these disasters must happen as part of the price we pay for oil? Is the price too high, given the environmental and human consequences? All comments welcome.
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Not sure why BP have accepted responsibility ? This Drilling Platform was operated by TransOcean who had been warned about their Blow Out Preventers before. BP subcontracted the operation to TransOcean who own the Rig. There was a Performance Bond in place , so what ever it costs to clean the operation up will be claimed back after BP sue TransOcean who have Zillions of Professional Indemnity Insurance. The standard of components used in these "BOP's" concern me as we test them were I work and they are constructed from sub standard Chinese crap that do not meet the required Quality Standards. This could be a huge disaster !
ReplyDeleteJudging by the comment above, this seems to have been a wholly preventable disaster, so the answer is, "No, this doesn't have to be the price we have to pay for oil."
ReplyDeleteAs I understand it, there have been two failures: the accident that caused the original leak and the failure of a shut-off device. Someone should end up in court for those deaths.
Thanks, guys. I'd just like to restate my disgust at the fact that all the news broadcasts on this issue all focus about (1) the monetary cost and (2) the environmental cost. The fact that 11 human lives have been lost seems to be deserving of only passing interest. Yet they were somebody's loved ones, and no amount of insurance will bring them back.
ReplyDeleteThere will probably be some who will view those deaths as the price you have to pay. Look how Union Carbide treated the people of Bhopal: thousands died (possible up to 16,000, including those who died later) but UC spent a fortune, not adequately compensating the victims and their families, but trying to wriggle off the hook and paying the minimum they could get away with. Human life is cheap to big corporations.
ReplyDeleteIt will be interesting to see if the giant box being transported by Supply Boat to the Oil Leak will work, I read that they are going to use underwater ROV's to position it !
ReplyDeleteWell, it looks as if BP are faced with a far tougher problem than they expected. The cost of this disaster grows in proportion to the size of the oil slick itself.
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