A Spill From Chevron’s New Well Could Be Worse Than Gulf

Officials from Chevron have admitted that in a worst-case scenario, its new deepwater drilling campaign in the North Sea could cause an oil spill bigger than BP’s accident in the Gulf of Mexico.

Many of those concerned about the health and environmental dangers of deepwater drilling hoped that at the very least, the Gulf oil spill would result in stronger regulations to keep oil companies from taking shortcuts and drilling in areas that are geologically unstable.

However, it seems to have done little to deter the US-based Chevron from forging ahead with its plants to extract oil from an unstable well near the Shetland Islands.

The company believes that in an emergency situation similar to what happened in the Gulf, the North Sea well is capable of releasing up to 77,000 barrels per day – 25 percent more than what some say spewed from the wreckage of the Deepwater Horizon.

“Deepwater Horizon has given us a new perspective on how bad things could be,” said Richard Cohagan, managing director of Chevron UK told The Telegraph. “When we looked at the core pressures and what seismic has shown us might be the producing interval, we calculated what the largest spill rate could be.”

This coastal area of Scotland has been called one of the world’s last “unspoiled” destinations and is home to whales, otters, seals and puffins, among other species.

Chevron is currently drilling the Lagavulin prospect around 160 miles north of the Shetland Islands in 1,569m of water – deeper than BP’s ruptured well (Telegraph UK).

The BP oil spill resulted in millions of dollars in damages and forced many local businesses to close their doors forever. Although thousands are still waiting recieve their compensation from the $20 billion claims fund BP was ordered to set up, the US government had no problem lifting the moratorium on deepwater offshore drilling weeks before it was set to expire.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Barbara E.

7:21PM PST on Dec 14, 2010

Noted with disgust, thanx

send a green star

Kelly M.

8:59PM PST on Nov 14, 2010

Everything is all about money and greed.

Walter G.

1:35AM PDT on Nov 5, 2010

What the hell, think of all that money, nothing else matters. Greed is the creed!

Susan J.

6:30PM PDT on Nov 4, 2010

All spills are bad. Until people really begin to internalize the impact of the oil industry, heck, all energy industries, well, it will not stop. And you can bet our newly elected congress doesn't care.

If you like visuals of the worst oil spills of all times, go here:
http://www.wpbeginner.com/worst-oil-spills-in-worlds-history-infographic/

I found it shocking

Thomas N.

3:28PM PDT on Nov 4, 2010

It's insane that any of these corporate oil morons are even considering drilling in bodies of water anymore. Even they know how disastrous things will be if one thing goes wrong while they are drilling

Dean P.

12:10PM PDT on Nov 4, 2010

Why are we as human-beings so hell bent on self destruction...is it because of that almighty dollar!

Susan S.

9:24PM PDT on Nov 3, 2010

Since deepwater drilling can not be proven to be safe the best scenario will for a permanent moratorium to save the earth.

julie c.

9:16PM PDT on Nov 3, 2010

If I didn't have neighbors, I'd scream at the top of lungs.

Gail L.

9:10PM PDT on Nov 3, 2010

Oh dear, on that note I'm going to sleep and hope for enough energy (within myself) to work towards a better tomorrow, tomorrow. Thank you, Beth, for keeping us in the know.

Songbird No M.

9:00PM PDT on Nov 3, 2010

They will not think 2 times about it when it comes to the all mighty dollar and oil they do not care about animals, people, enviroment, its all about them and there greedy bloody money. They will get rich just like they are here. The Obama's, Zalazars, Gates, but it will end before long and that I say WHOOO WHOOO!!!! I didn't put there shank hind end in there and I won't be putting no shanks in there either for they are all out for them selves they all lie!!!