Do we really know just how serious the oil spill is?

**BoristheBiter** · 28th June 2010, 13:44

Originally Posted by Jonathan

I agree with the above post. It is all basic economics. Supply and demand - costs and benefits. For the time being while this (relatively) cheap and abundant resource continues to gush from the earth there is little impetus for companies to pour time and resources into R & D for alternatives.

Eventually, when oil supplies dwindle and the costs soar and the net benefit of focusing on oil extraction drops below the net cost, oil giants such as BP are not simply going to sit on their hands and fret about it. It will become necessary for these companies' survival to find alternatives at any cost - and as quickly as possible to head off the competition. So, in short, when the oil runs out alternatives WILL be found and these alternatives will quite possibly surpass oil in efficiency and cleanliness.

I think you have that a bit backwards. I think you mean when the oils costs soar it becomes cost effective for the other companys to research new fuels, as the oil compnys will just put the costs onto the cost of oil and not lose anything.

The problem stems for an idea that we need a fuel in the first place as there is no money in suppling an item that is free to use, nence the move to hydrogen, it might be clean but it will still cost you to get it.

The oil/energy/fuels industrie have no reason to stop doing what they are doing as we will continue to need oil for the hundreds of products they make, lest of all to fuel transport.
This is why the electric cars are such a failure, you have to get it from somewhere, if not it is free and as there is no money in that no on wants to make it happen. Look how long they have had the solar challange going on for, and other than a supplamenty means to heat your pool it is a waste of time unless if you have millions needed to power your home.

**Jonathan** · 28th June 2010, 14:36

Originally Posted by BoristheBiter

I think you have that a bit backwards. I think you mean when the oils costs soar it becomes cost effective for the other companys to research new fuels, as the oil compnys will just put the costs onto the cost of oil and not lose anything.

Yep that's what I mean. When the cost of extaction increases to a level that if the oil companies were to pass on the cost to consumers the consumers would find it more economical to turn to alternatives.

**Neshi** · 28th June 2010, 17:28

Originally Posted by Winston001

Its happened already. All of the major oil companies now brand themselves as "energy" businesses and specifically BP rebranded in 2001 - "Beyond Petroleum". These mega companies are pushing and shoving each other to grab the next technology so they don't lose their place in the sun. Pretty astute.

really? it's weird that technology at risk management and containment hasn't changed for over 30 years.. All they've advanced is drilling further and deeper..
just look at this, it's agonizing...

**mashman** · 28th June 2010, 18:13

Excellent find Neshi... but like you say, agonising to watch... there's no money in safety.

**Naki Rat** · 28th June 2010, 18:33

Originally Posted by mashman

Excellent find Neshi... but like you say, agonising to watch... there's no money in safety.

Likewise, and along the same lines of not having to find an alternative for oil until it is absolutely necessary they also seem to follow the same stategy in their risk management

**mashman** · 28th June 2010, 21:28

Originally Posted by Naki Rat

Likewise, and along the same lines of not having to find an alternative for oil until it is absolutely necessary they also seem to follow the same stategy in their risk management

Aye, no money worries = no need to change a fuckin thing... costs less to train a new recruit than it does to implement safety gear i bet

**SPman** · 29th June 2010, 18:12

If you think this spill is bad, wait until next year when they start drilling in the Arctic (BP and Shell are ready and waiting until January, when the temporary moratorium will be lifted by Obama) - a similar occurrence up there would cause transpolar environmental damage on a scale never before seen........

**Winston001** · 30th June 2010, 00:31

Originally Posted by Naki Rat

Likewise, and along the same lines of not having to find an alternative for oil until it is absolutely necessary they also seem to follow the same stategy in their risk management

I know what you mean but really, there is no "they". Its all of us. We love oil, can't get enough of the stuff. Its cheap and very high energy for its size. There is no other abundant compound on Earth which provides as much bang for your buck as oil. 14 times more efficient than bio-fuel. Solar can't compete either although we live in hope.

The only other option is atomic fission or preferably fusion but these are not easily portable and involve environmental risks.

Oil companies, platforms, wells, tankers etc - none of these would exist if we humans were not entirely reliant upon oil for our lives. So the accidents, the spills, the pollution are mere side-effects, a consequence of our insatiable demand for the stuff. If it's unacceptable then the only way to send that message is for you and I to boycott everything oil.

Good luck with that.

**YellowDog** · 30th June 2010, 06:06

There are alternatives for oil usage in many areas. The huge investment in the oil industry and price of oil would drop so significantly should alternative options be made available that there is a strong desire to protect this industry until every last drop has been squeezed out and sold.

**Genestho** · 30th June 2010, 14:10

Day 71, 29th June - Tropical Storm 'Alex' on its way to South Texas.

**avgas** · 30th June 2010, 14:31

Originally Posted by mashman

Excellent find Neshi... but like you say, agonising to watch... there's no money in safety.

Nah it doesn't cost money. In fact the opposite - it costs money not too, but it all depends as to who's signature is on the expense form as to if it gets approved for funding.

WOLF WOLF WOLF!!!! FUCKING WOLF!!!!!

Ah fuck it, no one of value listens.
All the fat cats will look at you as if your a heretic.