State panel to give its nod to offshore drilling
By Bo Petersen
Natural gas and oil exploration off the coast of South Carolina will get a go-ahead from a state committee this week, and federal regulators in September are expected to put some protections on thousands of square miles of the potential drilling area where valuable deep sea coral is found.
A feasibility study committee set up by the state Legislature will recommend asking a federal agency to include South Carolina as one of the states in a five-year plan that would open up exploratory natural gas drilling off the coast, said Sen. Paul Campbell Jr., R-Goose Creek, the committee chairman.
The recommendation states that drilling should be approved if it would produce sufficient revenue for the state and mitigate potential harm to tourism and the environment. It says also that the state should draw up a comprehensive energy plan.
Campbell said exploratory drilling would occur some 60 miles or more offshore, making it invisible from the beaches and that it can be done safely.
"The (federal) Minerals Management Service does a heck of a job monitoring offshore facilities," he said.
The committee, though, is far from unanimous. It is composed of political, business and environmental representatives.
"The whole discussion has been distorted, in my opinion," said Hamilton Davis of the Coastal Conservation
League. The emphasis on natural gas drilling has skirted the dangers of oil drilling, and the federal permit would allow both, he said.
The recommendation is expected to be released before Sept. 1. If the minerals agency includes the state, exploration could begin as soon as 2014 and drilling by 2018. But drilling would be far from a done deal.
Opening the Atlantic to drilling is controversial. Proponents say the country needs new energy sources, and state officials are seeking new revenue sources. Economic, environmental and tourism interests say the limited potential is not worth endangering the beaches and an estimated $16 billion per year in tourism revenue.
The region offshore is generally conceded not to have much potential for oil production, and some industry representatives say there won't be any urgency to looking off South Carolina.
There's evidence of natural gas here, but some geologists say the rock formations won't hold gas in concentrations that would be cost-effective to drill.
Environmentalists are concerned partly because energy companies tend to drill for oil where they find natural gas.
Campbell said he hopes the recommendation will be followed through with a letter from legislative leaders to the minerals agency. Gov. Mark Sanford's office has opposed oil drilling. But the governor makes a distinction between that and natural gas drilling, said Ben Fox, communications director. The governor will look carefully at the recommendations, "but we support further exploration and study," he said.
It's not clear how much weight the minerals agency would put on either's support. The drilling would take place in federal waters.
Meanwhile, the South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council will vote Sept. 18 on placing some 23,000 square miles of the Atlantic in the Southeast off limits to most bottom fishing and dredging because it is home to coral formations and sponges that are potentially invaluable as a resource for everything from human medicines to the health of the ocean itself.
The drilling would take place in those areas. The federal restrictions would require drillers to do environmental impact studies and locate sites to avoid the corals. The U.S. Commerce Department would have to sign off on the council's recommendation.
"There's really nothing foreseeable that would stop the council from recommending the document for approval," said Myra Brouwer, a SAFMC biologist.
The council vote takes place as a team of scientists participates in a series of submersible dives along the corals off Florida and North Carolina to further study and chart the little known regions.
The protected areas would be miles of coral mounds and pinnacles reaching as high as 300 feet, as well as coral on rock outcroppings as deep as 1,000 feet.
The corals are swarmed with hundreds of species of fish and other creatures. The areas are so rich that hundreds of species can be found within a few square meters.
"It's beautiful, absolutely beautiful. It's just a dive down in the dark and then all of a sudden all these colors, fishes and animals appear. It's just not what you expect in the deep ocean," said Steve Ross, a University of North Carolina-Wilmington associate research professor who is taking part in the project.
"I think it's possible" that exploratory drilling can be conducted without causing significant environmental damage, Ross said. "The well-drilling technology is quite good, the environmental monitoring is pretty good. It's not the exploratory phase that people need to be concerned with. It's what happens when they find something and ramp up operations."
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scottmcx (anonymous) says...
WOOOOOHOOOOO! Drill the hell out of it.
I wonder if OLIAR will lend us a couple of BILLION to drill like he did his pals in Brazil?
August 25, 2009 at 6:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eatmorecollards (anonymous) says...
I think they should at least drill some test wells. There is no telling whats locked under all that limestone out there.
August 25, 2009 at 7:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
There's oil between Conway and Georgetown.
August 25, 2009 at 7:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BlackReign (anonymous) says...
LOL Scottmcx, maybe George the BHO puppet master Soros has invested in the company that will drill off of SC...?
George Soros bought a $811 million stake in Petroleo Brasileiro SA in the second quarter, making the Brazilian state-controlled oil company his investment fund's largest holding.
Obama Underwrites Offshore Drilling
Too bad it's not in U.S. waters
You read that headline correctly. Unfortunately, the Obama Administration is financing oil exploration off Brazil.
The U.S. is going to lend billions of dollars to Brazil's state-owned oil company, Petrobras, to finance exploration of the huge offshore discovery in Brazil's Tupi oil field in the Santos Basin near Rio de Janeiro.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001...
What a fresh change and new hope Obama has brought to DC! I have tingles up my leg!
August 25, 2009 at 7:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Pinckney (anonymous) says...
Heckuvajob, Paulie.
August 25, 2009 at 7:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Keyesforpres (anonymous) says...
Yes, how wonderful. Obumbler is borrowing money and then loaning it to Brazil. He sure loves those Marxist leaders.
August 25, 2009 at 8:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
guidedbystewart (anonymous) says...
I am willing to bet they will not find crap off the coast of SC, just because you want oil to be out there doesn't mean there is any! Besides the better you exploit a nonrenewable resource the quicker it is gone!
August 25, 2009 at 8:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
yeah, let's drill like crazy in an area that is very unlikely to produce oil. I have no issues with drilling at sites that have a good probability of yielding good reserves, but this seems like a total waste of time and money.
August 25, 2009 at 9:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
FuPal70 (anonymous) says...
"..not to have much potential for oil production..": What more need be said?
August 25, 2009 at 9:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
exactly, Fu. What part of that do they not understand?
August 25, 2009 at 10:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scottmcx (anonymous) says...
VMI & Fu
So there won't be any oil spills or global warming if there isn't any oil. The money comes from private investors who are known as capitalists. They bet their money and take their chances.
You have nothing to worry about. It isn't your money like OLIAR lent to Brazil.
August 25, 2009 at 10:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Hobcaw (anonymous) says...
Natural Gas suppliers are shutting down existing rigs, and we're considering spending millions to drill off-shore rigs? What is wrong here?
U.S. Natural Gas Rig Count at Seven Year Low
http://seekingalpha.com/article/15024...
Earnings Sink at Chevron; All Gas Rigs Shut Down
http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/...
691 drilling rigs shut down in Western Canada
http://www.godlikeproductions.com/for...
August 25, 2009 at 10:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
You obviously can't read, scott. I said I have no issues with drilling- where there is oil.
Here's a piece of advice- why don't you actually read the post before you comment on it.
August 25, 2009 at 10:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scottmcx (anonymous) says...
VMI
There is a good possibilty of oil and gas since the last surveys onshore in SC were about 40 years ago with primitive technology. They found oil between Orangeburg and Savannah that clearly continued offshore. I'm unaware of any newer offshore geologic surveys or test wells.
So, there could be oil and the way to confirm is to drill. Even when the geology says there is oil it isn't always there, same is true of the opposite.
Gas is so thick offshore NC & SC that it leaches out of the rock sits in clumps on the bottom called gas-hydrates. It can't expand due to the high pressure at the depths off the shelf.
I read your post...
So, shut up and let the experts risk their time and money. Because you don't know doesn't stop them from taking a chance.
August 25, 2009 at 11:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
Did you read the expert's comments? He is definitely alot more of an expert than you or me.
Shut up, eh? What are you, in the second grade?
You stay classy.
August 25, 2009 at 11:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scottmcx (anonymous) says...
Form 1992 USGS...
Recent mapping conducted by the USGS off North Carolina and South Carolina shows large accumulations of methane hydrates.
A pair of relatively small areas, each about the size of the State of Rhode Island, shows intense concentrations of gas hydrates. USGS scientists estimate that these areas contain more than 1,300 trillion cubic feet of methane gas, an amount representing more than 70 times the 1989 gas consumption of the United States. Some of the gas was formed by bacteria in the sediments, but some may be derived from deep strata of the Carolina Trough. The Carolina Trough is a significant offshore oil and gas frontier area where no wells have been drilled. It is a very large basin, about the size of the State of South Carolina, that has accumulated a great thickness of sediment, perhaps more than 13 kilometers. Salt diapirs, reefs, and faults, in addition to hydrate gas, may provide greater potential for conventional oil and gas traps than is present in other east coast basins.
August 25, 2009 at 11:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scottmcx (anonymous) says...
VMI
That's why attorneys, on both sides of a case hire "experts" they never agree..DRILL and find out.
August 25, 2009 at 11:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gringolandia (anonymous) says...
I'm not sure if i believe this, but i heard there are pictures of that two bit hooker Sara Palin wearing tight jogging shorts with the words, "drill baby, drill!" embroidered on the backside. What a train wreck! lol
August 25, 2009 at 11:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
LOL @ gringo
August 25, 2009 at 11:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seadogandsons (anonymous) says...
While many advancements have decreased the pollution output of drilling, it still has a huge
potential to turn to catastrophic proportions and ruin nature. Can we not suck it up enough
to not think of me me, us us and look to our future generations?
Why are we wasting our money on an unsustainable energy source?
I nod my head in shame and hope it doesn't get too hot before they have to close the beaches.
inform yourself.
Government Profile of the Oil and Gas Extraction Industry
http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resourc...
Oil and Gas Extraction (Synthetic-Based Drilling Fluids)
http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/guide...
Oil and Gas Extraction - Impacts, Risks and Regulations (though dated, a good read)
http://ecm.ncms.org/ERI/new/IRRoilgas...
shreveporttimes - Recent incidents raise issues on drilling, environment
http://www.shreveporttimes.com/articl...
PROPUBLICA - Buried Secrets: Is Natural Gas Drilling Endangering U.S. Water Supplies?
http://www.propublica.org/feature/bur...
August 25, 2009 at noon ( permalink | suggest removal )
Rocks66 (anonymous) says...
Re: GuidedbyStewart - "Besides the better you exploit a nonrenewable resource the quicker it is gone!"
Duh. That's why it's called "non-renewable".
August 25, 2009 at 12:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Feldon_Starns (anonymous) says...
For all the folks who say drill, drill, drill I say go visit Orange Texas and then come back and see if that is what you want for South Carolina. If they find oil where will it be refined, North Charleston, Georgetown, Hilton Head? Be careful what you wish for.
August 25, 2009 at 12:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
counterpoint (anonymous) says...
Feldon - probably one of these places. http://www.hotfrog.com/Products/Petro...
August 25, 2009 at 1:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
YankeeLady (anonymous) says...
What a waste of money to pursue an admittedly unlikely deposit of fossil fuel, which is ultimately nonrenewable and going the way of the dinosaurs from which it is made. These funds could be put to much better use developing alternative sources of energy, encouraging these types of industry here and perhaps elevating SC from its image as an undereducated state with a philandering governor.
August 25, 2009 at 1:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gringolandia (anonymous) says...
"These funds could be put to much better use developing alternative sources of energy, encouraging these types of industry here and perhaps elevating SC from its image as an undereducated state with a philandering governor"
Best post in a while on here, Yankeelady. lol
August 25, 2009 at 1:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Feldon_Starns (anonymous) says...
Counterpoint; got me. I still say go visit Orange Texas and get a good idea of what our coast could become. I'm also amazed by so much loyalty to an industry that just bent the working people of this country over. What's the cry....Drill Baby, Drill!!!
August 25, 2009 at 1:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
guidedbystewart (anonymous) says...
Rocks66 (anonymous) says...
Re: GuidedbyStewart - "Besides the better you exploit a nonrenewable resource the quicker it is gone!"
"Duh. That's why it's called "non-renewable"."
Sure, I am stating the obvious, but it surprises me that so few on this board get this!
August 25, 2009 at 2:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
charlestowne2 (anonymous) says...
No one is going to do test wells because oil companies are not stupid. The geology of the area is not right for a commercially viable oil deposit. All the wishing in the world will not make it so. Just republican dribel playing to the wing nut base.
August 25, 2009 at 3:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mattcofc (anonymous) says...
For all the folks saying its dumb to pursue a non-renewable energy that could greatly impact the state's economy and immediate future, I ask well how is the pursuit of renewable energy going for us? Are we making the great strides that Bobby Harrell thinks we will with hydrogen fuel cells? Pause for dramatic effect, uh no. Until we run out of gas or renewable energy is just as cheap or cost effective as gas, we aren't doing a darn thing. So I say suck whatever you can, be it oil or natural gas, out of the ground out there. Geological predictions are just that, predictions. They really don't know until they drill out there. t can't hurt to let them do some test wells.
August 25, 2009 at 5:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scottmcx (anonymous) says...
USGS scientists estimate that these areas contain more than 1,300 trillion cubic feet of methane gas, an amount representing more than 70 times the 1989 gas consumption of the United States. Some of the gas was formed by bacteria in the sediments, but some may be derived from deep strata of the Carolina Trough. The Carolina Trough is a significant offshore oil and gas frontier area where no wells have been drilled.
August 25, 2009 at 5:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Name_Withheld (anonymous) says...
Any Big Lie will fly with a South Carolina voter. We don't need evidence we have faith. Besides a black person is President and Republicans are right and white. There is Oil offshore and Death Panels and Socialism in the Health Care Reform bill. Drill baby Drill and if you are against this you are a communist and agaist capitalism and anti-American and queer and should be shunned by all rightous people. I'm leaving now to go hiking.
August 25, 2009 at 5:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BreezinIAm (anonymous) says...
matt, "how is the pursuit of renewable energy going for us? Are we making the great strides ...?"
So the answer is to drill for Dino Juice?
You're asking good questions with a negative, pre-determined bias.
Why don't we just cede the solar industry to China like we did electronics and automobiles to Japan? Is that the answer? Or should we get off our collective asses?
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/25/bus...
China Racing Ahead of U.S. in the Drive to Go Solar
August 25, 2009 at 6:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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