http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/a1f6ec6384dc4271a8785521ee5dc3a9/AK–Shell-Greenpeace/

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
First Posted: May 29, 2012 – 9:16 pm
Last Updated: May 29, 2012 – 9:18 pm

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – A federal judge has made it more difficult for representatives of Greenpeace USA to board Shell Oil’s drilling vessels.

In March, Judge Sharon Gleason in Anchorage ordered the group to stay a kilometer away from Shell Oil’s drilling ships destined for Arctic waters off Alaska’s northern coast. The restrictions applied to U.S. territorial waters up to 12 miles from shore.

On Tuesday, Gleason extended the restrictions to 200 miles offshore. Shell intends to drill 18 miles off the Beaufort Sea coast this summer, and 70 miles off the Chukchi coast.

Shell sought the preliminary injunction after Greenpeace New Zealand activists, including actress Lucy Lawless, in February boarded the Shell drill ship Noble Discoverer before it left for the U.S. West Coast for cold-weather modifications.

Special thanks to Richard Charter

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/spanish-energy-firm-repsol-stops-offshore-cuba-oil-exploration-after-hitting-dry-well/2012/05/29/gJQAk1T8yU_story.html

I am so happy! The Florida Keys are safe from Cuban oil drilling for the time being. DV

(Alberto Di Lolli/ Associated Press ) – Repsol president Antonio Brufau gestures during a press conference in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, May 29, 2012 to present the company’s strategic future plans.

By Associated Press, Updated: Tuesday, May 29, 9:34 AM

MADRID – Spanish oil firm Repsol said Tuesday it will stop looking for oil in Cuba after hitting a dry well drilled at a cost of more than $100 million, a blow to the island nation desperate to find its own energy sources amid deep economic hardship.

Speaking to investors and reporters about the firm’s plans over the next four years, Repsol Chairman Antonio Brufau said the company “won’t do another” well in Cuba.

“The well we drilled turned out dry and it’s almost certain that we won’t do any more activity there,” Brufau added.

Cuba’s last chance for hitting oil in the near future could come from Malaysian state oil company Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas), which started drilling last week in an area of the Florida Straits known as the Northbelt Trust, about 110 miles (180 kilometers) southwest of Repsol’s drill site. Results are expected in July.

Experts say it is not surprising that Repsol’s 3-mile (4.8-kilometer) deep exploratory well was a bust. Four out of five such wells find nothing in the high-stakes oil game, and petroleum companies are built to handle the losses.

The Scarabeo-9 platform that Repsol used is the only one in the world that can drill in Cuban waters without incurring sanctions under the U.S. economic embargo, but it is scheduled to head to Brazil after being used for one to four more exploratory Cuban wells.

A delay in finding oil would hurt Cuba because 80-year-old President Raul Castro is trying to lift the country’s economy through limited free-market reforms, and has been forced to cut many of the subsidies islanders got in return for salaries of just $20 a month.

It could also make Cuba more dependent on Venezuela, which provides $3 billion of subsidized oil each year. Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez is suffering from cancer, and the deal might disappear if he dies or doesn’t win re-election in October.

Industry experts have said Repsol YPF SA was under contract to drill a second Cuban well but could get out of the deal by paying a penalty to an Italian company that owns the drilling platform used for Repsol’s well.

Brufau didn’t mention the penalty, and Repsol spokesman Kristian Rix said he could not immediately provide details on how the arrangement would work.

The Scarabeo-9 was built in Asia with less than 10 percent U.S.-made parts to avoid violating Washington’s embargo.

Because of the embargo, Cuba is shut off from borrowing from international lending institutions. An oil find could change the situation, with Cuba using future oil riches as collateral to secure new financing, economists say.

Special thanks to Richard Charter

http://action.earthday.net/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=10569

Click on link above to sign petition. DeeVon

To World Leaders at Rio+20:

Fossil fuel subsidies drive climate change, drain public resources, and make it virtually impossible for clean energy sources to compete in the market. They must end.

Last year alone, over $500 billion was given to some of the richest corporations on the planet to promote fossil fuel extraction and use. Recently, 53 countries have made specific commitments to phase out fossil fuel subsidies in the coming years, but little progress has been made in key countries to create policy and change laws to streamline this process.

We need a binding international commitment to end fossil fuel subsidies around the world.

Rio+20 offers an opportunity for world leaders to come together to determine the future of sustainable development on our planet. It will be impossible to usher in the green economy with fossil fuel subsidies hampering the progress of clean energy technologies.

As EU Climate Commissioner Connie Hedegaard said, “We must internationally get the pricing right. The way we measure GDP today… we must take care that there is a price attached to harming the common environment. One place to start would be to phase out fossil fuel subsidies.”

We call on you to create a plan to phase out perverse fossil fuel subsidies at Rio+20.

AdoptanOcean.org
Public Comments

Your written comments are critical as the Department of Interior makes its final decisions about unleashing airgun blasts along the Atlantic shoreline as a precursor to offshore drilling. Even though the local hearings in coastal cities on these topics have now concluded, a written comment period until May 30, 2012 remains open.

You can comment now, simply by adding your own additional thoughts to the email here or at the following:

Comments by email:
Send email to: GGEIS@boem.gov

(Please note that you must provide an address with your comments, and that the agency is likely to include that address with the published version of their document)

The public may also submit written comments to the following address:

Comments by mail:
Mr. Gary D. Goeke, Chief,
Regional Assessment Section
Office of Environment (MS5410)
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
Gulf of Mexico OCR Region
1201 Elmwood Park Blvd.
New Orleans, LA 70123-2394

*Envelope should be labeled: “Comments on the Draft PEIS for Atlantic G&G Activities”

Seismic Survey Diagram
Seismic Survey Diagram
Atlantic OCS Boundaries
Atlantic OCS Boundaries Map Image courtesy of BOEM
Seismic Airgun Surveys

Single blast: Bracketed by a calibration chirp from mid frequency source. Direct link here or listen below.

Recording on the mid-Atlantic Ridge: Recorded by Sharon L. Nieukirk and Dave Mellinger and is played back 10x speed. These sounds were from surveys that were over 3000 km distant. Direct link here or listen below.

Sounds courtesy of Ocean Conservation Research.
Protect Our Atlantic Coastal Economy

Big Oil’s lobbyists are pushing the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to open the Atlantic coastline to the risks posed by offshore drilling rigs, threatening our coastal economies based on clean and productive ocean waters. The oil companies are hoping that local communities may have forgotten the ongoing damage caused by the BP Gulf of Mexico oil spill disaster and the close call which nearly brought slicks and tarballs from that spill northward on the currents of the Gulf Stream into our Atlantic coast fishing grounds and onto our favorite beaches.

As a first step in industrializing the Atlantic Coast, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar recently announced that a series of local hearings will be held during April of this year (2012) to listen to public input about plans to open the Mid-Atlantic and South-Atlantic coast to seismic survey ships gathering subsea geological data in anticipation of approving offshore drilling in this region. Geophysical surveys are a precursor to opening coastal waters from Delaware southward into Florida to drilling rigs.

Geophysical operations used in petroleum exploration result in a number of adverse impacts on a wide variety of marine life and important seafloor fish habitat. Ship-based geophysical seismic surveys using towed multiple “airgun” arrays involve the use of very powerful explosive impulses occurring every 10-15 seconds, hour after hour, for weeks, and sometimes months, on end. In order to gather geologic profiles from seabed rock structures, seismic survey vessels tow long cables which trail 24 or more of these airguns – and multiple acoustic transducers – for the purpose of emitting and receiving intense sound waves to evaluate subsea geologic formations. The sound source is a repetitive series of explosions created by high-pressure gas airguns, which constantly send a sharp spike of loud acoustic pulses through the water and deep into the seafloor.

Airgun arrays produce noise at frequencies that are especially concentrated in the range from 20 to 150 Hz, which is within the communication and hearing range of many marine species, including the endangered great whales. This broadband noise can impact a wide range of marine mammals, fish, and other sea life. Geophysical survey ships crisscross each prospective seafloor target area numerous times to gather high-resolution seismic traces from their transducers along thousands of miles of seismic trackline.

Dramatic changes in the behavioral responses of fishes and marine mammals to loud underwater noises in the ocean have long been observed. For decades, commercial fishermen have reported numerous occurrences of a “startle” behavioral response in schools of fish from an area being targeted by seismic surveys, leading to losses in catch. Damage to the swim bladder (the flotation organ that many fish use to mediate their buoyancy and hear sounds) has also been reported in association with seismic survey activities.

Since fish rely on their ability to hear to find mates, locate prey, and avoid predators, their survival is seriously compromised by airgun damage. Interactions between seismic survey vessels and endangered whale, sea turtle, and fish populations are considered to represent an “incidental take” under the federal Endangered Species Act. These kinds of impacts, right on top of the lush seafloor canyons and delicate coldwater coral gardens along our coast, cannot be considered benign.
For more information, see:

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
Atlantic Geological and Geophysical (G&G) Activities
Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS)

U.S. Department of the Interior
Secretary Salazar, Director Beaudreau Announce Next Steps for
Potential Energy Development in the Mid- and South Atlantic

© 20

http://www.fossil.energy.gov/news/techlines/2012/12021-Ultra_Deepwater_Projects_Selected.html

Of course research is worthwhile, but I’d rather see the money go toward development of renewable energy such as solar. The multi-national oil & gas companies should shoulder the burden of this research, which directly benefits them. DV

Issued on: May 21, 2012

Thirteen Projects Nationally to Support Safe, Environmentally Sustainable U.S. Offshore Oil and Gas Production

Washington, DC – Thirteen projects aimed at reducing the risks while enhancing the environmental performance of drilling for natural gas and oil in ultra-deepwater settings have been selected by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for further development.

Negotiations for the new projects will lead to awards totaling $35.4 million, adding to the research portfolio of the Office of Fossil Energy’s Ultra-Deepwater and Unconventional Natural Gas and Other Petroleum Resources Program.
Research needs addressed by the projects include (1) new and better ways to monitor displacement during casing cementing using intelligent casing and smart materials, and (2)assessing corrosion, stress cracking, and scale at extreme temperature and pressure. All of the projects aim to develop and validate new technologies to enhance safety and environmental sustainability.

The total value of the projects is more than $56 million over 4 years with approximately $21.2 million of cost-share provided by the research partners in addition to the $35.4 million in federal funds. The research contracts will be administered by the Research Partnership to Secure Energy for America, under the management of the Office of Fossil Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory. Brief descriptions of the selected projects follow:Å@
*
* The Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma (Norman, Oklahoma) – Intelligent Casing-Intelligent Formation Telemetry System. Researchers at the University of Oklahoma will identify reliable technologies that may be applied to make production casing – the piping that carries oil and gas – “intelligent,” allow safe and effective deployment, and ensure highly reliable and effective data transmission to the surface. Much more data from the reservoir could be transmitted to surface operations as a result of this work. Allowing data related to the cementing of the production-casing in the wellbore to be transmitted to the surface in real time would provide personnel with up-to-the-second information, resulting in early identification of any potential incidents. DOE share: $474,935; Recipient share: $120,000; Duration: 1 year

*
* Brine Chemistry Solutions, LLC (Houston, Texas) – Corrosion and Scale at Extreme Temperature and Pressure. Researchers on this project will develop the necessary data, models, and experimental tools to more accurately assess corrosion, stress cracking, and chemical deposit buildup, or “scale,” formation at extreme temperature and pressure. This information can be used to develop a methodology for the prediction, measurement, and early detection of corrosion under deep subsurface conditions, minimizing risk of component failure. DOE share: $3,174,127; Recipient share: $807,640; Duration: 3 years

*
* Colorado School of Mines (Golden, Colorado) – Hydrate Modeling & Flow Loop Experiments for Water Continuous & Dispersed Systems. This project will focus on reducing the risk of environmental and operational safety problems associated with hydrate blockagesforming in flexible subsea production tubulars . Specifically, the project aims to modify and update an industry standard viscosity model, perform lab experiments – known as flow loop experiments – investigating the characteristics of fluid dynamics in pipes to optimize the viscosity parameters, incorporate the viscosity model with a Colorado School of Mines’ hydrate growth rate model, predict and validate an improved hydrate kinetic model using flow loop experiments, and model development for water+gas and water+gas+oil systems. The ultimate goal is to develop a model that is completely validated and accepted by industry. DOE share: $701,733; Recipient share: $175,434; Duration: 2Å@years

*
* Deepflex (Houston, Texas) – Qualification of Flexible Fiber Reinforced Pipe for 10,000-Foot Water Depths. Deepflex researchers will design concepts for light-weight, flexible risers that allow for safe installation, will be capable of faster and easier repair than conventional risers and provide a stronger product that is less apt to rupture. The project will also include prototype manufacturing and qualification testing. The successful development of durable, lower-weight flexible riser technology with low intervention costs and greater than 3,000-meter water depth capability is a key enabling technology for future ultra-deepwater Gulf of Mexico production. Total Project-DOE share: $10,985,402; Recipient share: $9,410,005; Duration: 3? years

*
* Det Norske Veritas (Houston, Texas) – Ultra-deepwater Dry Tree System for Drilling and Production in the Gulf of Mexico. Researchers will select two promising platform designs, with associated riser tensioning systems, to meet design requirements for a new above sea-level, or “dry tree,” production system and perform pre-front end engineering design (pre-FEED) equivalent engineering and cost estimates. Key technically challenged areas and the need for new technologies, which require qualification before being field ready, will be addressed, and associated technology qualification plans will be developed. The researchers will also identify deployment opportunities for each solution with respect to field applications and considerations for overall safety, equipment limitations, fabrication, transportation, installation, and geographical locations. DOE share: $2,150,000; Recipient share: $935,000; Duration: 1? years

*
* Doris, Inc. (Houston, Texas) – Low Cost Flexible Production System for Remote Ultra-Deepwater Gulf of Mexico Field Development. Doris researchers will evaluate a circular-shaped floater with storage and a floating production unit with direct production to shuttle tankers as a possible concept for use as a safe, environmentally sound, and economically feasible low-cost remote deepwater production system. The study will include an evaluation of various riser options, dynamically positioned shuttle tanker operations analysis, risk analysis and hazard identification, and analyses of hurricane abandonment acceptability with hydrocarbons in storage and regulatory/compliance requirements. Model testing in a wave tank using simulated hurricane-force conditions will be included in the study. DOE share: $1,197,827; Recipient share: $299,456; Duration: 1? years

*
* GE Global Research (Niskayuna, New York) – All Electric Subsea Autonomous High Integrity Pressure Protection System (HIPPS) Architecture. The goal of this project is to reduce the risk of environmental impacts resulting from subsea equipment failure through the use of improved failsafe systems and controls. An electric failsafe HIPPS will help ensure the integrity and safety of any subsea equipment not rated for the wellhead shut-in pressure. This research addresses the heart of safety, integrity, and reliability of practical subsea facilities. Successful commercialization and utilization of this type of system will result in an added barrier to avoid environmental problems downstream of the system. DOE share: $600,000; Recipient share: $150,000; Duration: 1? years

*
* GE Global Research (Niskayuna, New York) – Qualification of Flexible Fiber Reinforced Pipe for 10,000-Foot Water Depths. The goal of this project is to design concepts for light-weight, flexible risers that allow for safe installation, will be capable of faster and easier repair than conventional risers, provide a stronger product that is less apt to rupture, and can potentially resolve situations before they develop into environmental problems. The project will also include prototype manufacturing and qualification testing. The successful development of durable, lower-weight flexible riser technology with low intervention costs and greater than 3,000-meter water depth capability is a key enabling technology for future ultra-deepwater Gulf of Mexico production. DOE share: $7,105,948; Recipient share: $6,331,586; Duration: 4 years

*
* NanoRidge Materials (Houston, Texas) – Ultra-High Conductivity Umbilicals: Polymer Nanotube Umbilicals. The next step in this continuation project is to achieve a conductivity capability for subsea umbilicals that is at least comparable to that of copper, but at a much lower weight. A polymer nanotube-based high conductivity wire for umbilicals, the cables that provide power to satellite wells, will increase the distance that satellite wells can be located away from surface facilities, leading to a reduction in energy requirements and a smaller operations carbon footprint. Ultimately, the reduced size and weight of the umbilicals will result in easier and potentially safer handling of cable during installation. It will also decrease the need to build and use hubs and platforms, since more efficient power transmission will allow for a subsea option as opposed to a platform option in some cases. The successful application of this technology should be able to be extended onshore, resulting in added efficiency and less stress on onshore power grids. DOE share: $2,558,549; Recipient share: $639,639; Duration: 3 years

*
* Remora Technology (Houston, Texas) – Deepwater Direct Offloading Systems, PhaseÅ@1. The goals of this project are to develop a system-level qualitative assessment of a safe, novel offloading system to enable offloading directly to a tanker from a floating production, storage, and offloading unit, to perform a technology readiness level analysis, and to identify opportunities to pilot the technology. This work will result in a near-field-ready ultra-deepwater direct offloading system that minimizes the amount of required equipment and leak paths, resulting in safer and simpler offloading methods. If developed, the system will allow marine hydrocarbon transfer operations at a level of safety equal to or better than existing systems.
DOE share: $758,255; Recipient share: $400,000; Duration: 1 year

*
* Stress Engineering (Houston, Texas) – Ultra-Deepwater Riser Concepts for High Motion Vessels. The goal of this project is to evaluate the safety aspects of various high-motion vessel riser concepts and mature at least one of these concepts to a field-ready status of development. The results of this work will lead to additional testing of the most critical aspects of the most promising riser concepts. Ultimately, this will close some of the technical gaps for several promising concepts. DOE share: $1,200,000; Recipient share: $300,000; Duration: 3 years

*
* Stress Engineering (Houston, Texas) – Effects of Fiber Rope – Seabed Contact on Subsequent Rope Integrity. Researchers at Stress Engineering will develop a risk-averse testing plan and seek agreement between project industry participants and U.S. regulatory agencies to qualify polyester mooring ropes for incidental seabed contact and pre-installation on the seabed. The project will include full-scale lab-strength testing, bench-scale soil ingression, cyclic wear testing, and residual break-strength testing, as well as submerged-rope soil ingression field tests. The researchers will seek to understand all of the potential rope failure modes and their contributing factors to improve the reliability of synthetic mooring systems. The project will reduce the risk of permanent synthetic mooring system failure by determining if seafloor contact impacts the integrity of the ropes. DOE share: $1,902,210; Recipient share: $573,000; Duration: 2 years

*
* University of Houston (Houston, Texas) – Smart Cementing Materials and Drilling Muds for Real Time Monitoring of Deepwater Wellbore Enhancement. Researchers at the University of Houston will address the issues of unexpected fluid loss, cement location and competence, and real-time identification of cement tops by changing the compositions of, and adding sensing properties to, the drilling mud and/or cement slurry. DOE share: $2,588,900; Recipient share: $1,096,900; Duration: 3 years
– End of Techline

Special thanks to Richard Charter