In a recent Wall Street Journal article, the author remarks on how WSJ has done some research into how the drilling in the Gulf began and why the BP oil spill may have been inevitable due to issues started way before. Shell was the company to initiate the Gulf of Mexico drilling, as they found oil there in 1989. This entrepreneurship led to a focus on the Gulf of Mexico, from oil companies, politicians, society, and even environmentalists who wanted to detract attention from the shores of California. The boom for oil in the Gulf was too fast for regulation and safety codes to catch up. As we all know, one of the major issues in the BP oil spill was the fact that regulation was not followed correctly and safety procedures were not upheld. So, this initial boom which was too quick of the evolution of better safety procedures may have caused the spill. The article also relates the way America was headstrong towards off-shore drilling in the Gulf to the way America was towards changing aspects of the economy, eventually leading to this recession. It is interesting to view it in this light. Maybe America has a tendency to act too quickly. In the upcoming years, as new energy becomes more developed, it will be very important to make sure the safety and security develops as well. Nuclear energy is one the most feared, so the safety and regulations for this source of energy will be extremely important.
I also found in very interesting that Shell was the one to initiate the Gulf of Mexico drilling. On the subway yesterday, I noticed that Shell has advertisements all over the metro train stating them as innovative and reliable. Including statements such as, "Let's think around the corners," it gives an image of Shell being innovative and a group of entrepreneurs. But it is also saying that they will not "cut corners." Which is a statement that they'll be reliable, unlike BP. Shell is using a symbol of change and development, and I found it interesting that they were the ones to find off-shore drilling in the Gulf, proving their past as entrepreneurs.
- Caitlin McGonnigal
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704657304575540063579696700.html?mod=djkeyword
In my own personal opinion it is very important to keep offshore drilling and to also look towards nuclear energy even though they both can be dangerous. The safety regulations must be improved before this can happen though, as another BP accident cannot happen again. It would be even worse with a nuclear power plant.
ReplyDelete-Ryan Parker-