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Oil Slick Stuff
- Thread starter nnuut
- Start date
ATCJeff
Well-known member
nnuut
Moderator | TSP Legend
NO, NO CITGO!
Two Russian bombers land in Venezuela
President Hugo Chavez had said Venezuela is ready to host Russian aircraft, news agency Novosti reported.
The Tupolev Tu-160 strategic bombers landed at Venezuela's Libertador military airfield and "will spend several days carrying out training flights over neutral waters, after which they will return to the base," Interfax reported, citing the Russian Defense Ministry.
Col. Alexander Drobyshevsky, a ministry spokesman, told Interfax that NATO fighters followed the bombers on their 13-hour flight over the Arctic Ocean and the Atlantic.
"All flights by air force aircraft have been and are marked by strict conformity to the international rules on the use of air space over neutral waters," Drobyshevsky told Interfax.
The U.S. will monitor the Russian training, said Pentagon officials who asked not to be identified because they were not authorized to speak on the information.
On Monday, Russia announced it might hold joint naval maneuvers with Venezuela in the Caribbean. The declaration came in the wake of increased tension between Russia and the United States over Russia's invasion last month of the former Soviet republic of Georgia, a U.S. ally that aspires to join NATO. [More] http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/americas/09/10/russia.venezuela/index.html
Two Russian bombers land in Venezuela
- Russian bombers will use airfield for training over neutral waters, Interfax reports
Russian Defense Ministry spokesman: NATO fighters followed bombers - Venezuelan president had said he'd welcome Russian air force, Novosti reports
The Tupolev Tu-160 strategic bombers landed at Venezuela's Libertador military airfield and "will spend several days carrying out training flights over neutral waters, after which they will return to the base," Interfax reported, citing the Russian Defense Ministry.
Col. Alexander Drobyshevsky, a ministry spokesman, told Interfax that NATO fighters followed the bombers on their 13-hour flight over the Arctic Ocean and the Atlantic.
"All flights by air force aircraft have been and are marked by strict conformity to the international rules on the use of air space over neutral waters," Drobyshevsky told Interfax.
The U.S. will monitor the Russian training, said Pentagon officials who asked not to be identified because they were not authorized to speak on the information.
On Monday, Russia announced it might hold joint naval maneuvers with Venezuela in the Caribbean. The declaration came in the wake of increased tension between Russia and the United States over Russia's invasion last month of the former Soviet republic of Georgia, a U.S. ally that aspires to join NATO. [More] http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/americas/09/10/russia.venezuela/index.html
fabijo
Well-known member
hetero or ... :worried:?
luv2read
Active member
DRILL DRILL DRILL....what? It's dead for now. Collusion between industry and government? NOOOOO! Who knew? Bwhahahaha!:laugh:
nnuut
Moderator | TSP Legend
In preparation for Hurricane Ike, offshore oil and gas operators in the Gulf of Mexico have stopped re-boarding platforms and rigs following Hurricane Gustav and are maintaining the evacuated status to protect against harm. The Minerals Management Service (MMS) continues to monitor activities for both hurricanes through its Continuity of Operations Plan team. This team will be activated until operations return to normal.
Based on data from offshore operator reports submitted as of 11:30 a.m. CDT today, personnel have been evacuated from a total of 452 production platforms, equivalent to 63.0 % of the 717 manned platforms in the Gulf of Mexico.
Personnel from 81 rigs have also been evacuated; this is equivalent to 66.9 % of the 121 rigs currently operating in the Gulf.
From the operators’ reports, it is estimated that approximately 95.9 % of the oil production in the Gulf has been shut-in. Estimated current oil production from the Gulf of Mexico is 1.3 million barrels of oil per day. It is also estimated that approximately 73.1 % of the natural gas production in the Gulf has been shut-in. Estimated current natural gas production from the Gulf of Mexico is 7.4 billion cubic feet of gas per day.
After the hurricane has passed, facilities will be inspected. Once all standard checks have been completed, production from undamaged facilities will be brought back on line immediately. Facilities sustaining damage may take longer to bring back on line.
http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=66494
nnuut
Moderator | TSP Legend
by Phaedra Friend Rigzone Wednesday, September 10, 2008
According to the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Ike has left Cuba as a Category 1 hurricane and is traveling northwest at a clip of 8 mph. Located 145 miles north of the western tip of Cuba and 430 miles southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi River (latitude 23.9 north, longitude 85.3 west), the storm is expected to travel "across the central Gulf of Mexico for the next 24 to 48 hours."
According to a NHC release at 8 a.m. EDT on Sept. 10, Hurricane Ike currently maintains sustained wind speeds of 85 mph in a 35-mile radius. Tropical storm-force winds extend 175 miles from the eye of the storm. Weather experts predict that the storm will strengthen into a "major hurricane" while traveling through the central gulf.
AccuWeather has predicted that the storm is destined to strengthen to a Category 3 storm at the least, and expects the storm to make landfall on the Texas Gulf Coast near Corpus Christi by late Friday night.
Energy Ramifications
The oil and gas industry's commitment to safety and security has been tested as of late. With production just ramping back up after the passing of Hurricane Gustav, companies have had to almost immediately shut-in production again for Hurricane Ike. (UPDATED to reflect Sept. 10 afternoon information from the MMS) The most-recent account from the Minerals Management Service reported that staff has been evacuated from 452 production platforms (63.0%) and 81 rigs (66.9%) – and that 95.9% of the oil production and 73.1% of the natural gas production has been shut-in as a precautionary measure for Hurricane Ike.
Starting on Sunday, Sept. 7, Shell began evacuations from its offshore GOM facilities. By Monday, the oil and gas super-major had already evacuated 150 employees and had made the decision to complete "a full evacuation of personnel from Shell-operated facilities on Wednesday (Sept. 10), in advance of Ike." By the evening of Tuesday, Sept. 9, Shell reported that they had evacuated 193 offshore personnel, with the remaining 47 workers coming ashore Sept. 10. All Shell-operated production has been shut-in, except for natural gas from the Fairway Field.
Anadarko reported that it is evacuating all of its 600 personnel from its facilities in the GOM and will shut-in all of its operated production, including that from Independence Hub, by Wednesday, Sept. 10. Starting production in July 2007, Independence Hub is the largest natural gas processing facility in the gulf with a production capacity of 1 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day, which accounts for 10% of all the natural gas produced in the GOM.
Energy giants ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips have also issued similar reports. ExxonMobil is "evacuating personnel from those offshore facilities expected to be in the path of the storm," while ConocoPhillips is in the process of evacuating its Magnolia platform.
True Colors
After the devastation of the 2005 hurricane season, the oil and gas industry has been developing new and reevaluating established safety procedures and structure design standards in an effort to be better prepared for major storms in the GOM. According to the MMS, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita threatened 22,000-33,000 miles of offshore pipeline and 3,050 to 4,000 production platforms, destroying 115 platforms and damaging another 52.
Learning from this, the American Petroleum Institute reports that the industry realized that the deeper areas of the gulf, where many of its biggest producing fields are located, experienced higher waves and stronger winds. Because of this, experts no longer consider the GOM a uniform body of water and note that the central gulf "is now seen as more hurricane-prone because it can be a gathering spot for warm currents that can strengthen the storms."
In the last three years, the industry, headed by the MMS, has reviewed and revised design standards of floating structures, mooring systems, jackups, tie-downs and offshore structures in general, as well as set up measures to better track the storms and disseminate information.
"Energy production from the Gulf is vital to our nation's energy supply, and it's imperative that MMS continues our strong emphasis on preparations to reduce the risk of an extended disruption of energy production from the Gulf," said MMS Deputy Director Walter Cruickshank.
Across the GOM, the oil and gas industry has prepared for the worst and is taking every measure to ensure the safety of personnel and environmental security.
http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=66473
nnuut
Moderator | TSP Legend
Energy bill: Drowning in Washington
Senators to convene at Capitol Hill energy summit on Friday but experts are skeptical as to whether Congress can agree on an energy bill by Sept. 26 deadline.
By Aaron Smith, CNNMoney.com staff writer
Last Updated: September 10, 2008: 3:13 PM EDT
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- An energy summit is taking place Friday on Capitol Hill and all 100 senators - including the presidential candidates - are invited to attend. But with all the partisan sniping on The Hill, it's hard to tell if a comprehensive energy bill will be signed into law anytime soon.
There have been numerous attempts to get a bill passed to change America's energy policy in the face of high gas prices and an over-reliance on overseas energy sources - and all have succumbed to partisan politics.
Democrats and Republicans are still working on multiple bills, but none of them are close to being signed into law. Now, with an adjournment goal of Sept. 26, the Senate is facing crunch time.
The purpose of Friday's summit, according to the Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources, is to be a forum for discussion to "facilitate the development of comprehensive legislation to address America's many energy challenges." But it's not a workshop for cranking out an energy bill.
"The summit is designed really just to bring in the experts and let other senators come and listen to them say their piece," said Matt Letourneau, spokesman for Sen. Pete Domenici, (R-NM), a ranking member of the committee and summit leader, along with Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM).
Meanwhile, the deadline looms.
Energy policy: Mired in politics
Offshore drilling is one of the most contentious issues in the House of Representatives, where the Democrats hold a substantial majority, and the Senate, which they control by a razor-thin margin.
"While the Republican energy policy is focused more on increased supply ('drill baby drill') and nuclear power generation, the Democrats are more focused on energy conservation, improving the environment and taxing big oils ('tax baby tax')," wrote Fadel Gheit, energy analyst for Oppenheimer, in a Sept. 8 note to investors.
"Increased domestic drilling, in our opinion, is not the answer to the U.S. addiction to imported oil," he wrote. "Neither is taxing big oils."
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said on Tuesday that Democrats were willing to compromise, by supporting a bill this week to allow some offshore drilling.
In a press conference that was slim on details, Pelosi said the bill "will protect consumers and taxpayers with strong action to lower the price at the pump and end taxpayer giveaways to Big Oil."
Meanwhile, the Democratic Senators are pushing for a bill to crack down on oil speculation, which they blame for soaring oil prices. Senators released a report on Wednesday which they say demonstrates the role speculators play in driving up energy prices.
But crude oil prices have actually dropped by more than $40 a barrel since their all-time high of $147.27 on July 11. This prompted a report from Kevin Book, energy analyst for Friedman, Billings, Ramsey & Co., who wrote: "[P]rices are correcting thanks to a well-functioning market assisted by speculators -- the answer is that the debate is not about energy policy at all, but bare-knuckle politics, pure and simple."
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have been discussing energy policy for months without much agreement. The different parties in the Senate and the House have not been able to push forward their partisan bills, and are now scrambling to pass legislation by the September 26 deadline. This prompted Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, (R-Ken.) to call upon his fellow senators to "do right by the American people."
"So far, Congress has been unable to come together on a comprehensive solution to our nation's energy crisis," said McConnell, speaking on the Senate floor on Monday. "But the book hasn't closed yet on the 110th Congress. There is still time to act on this issue. And we should."
The Gang of 16
Which brings us to the so-called Gang of 16, a bipartisan group of senators led by Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) and Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) In what they call a "true compromise," the senators have proposed a $20 billion bill to transition the economy - and surface transportation in particular - so that it's powered on non-petroleum based fuels. The goal is to convert 85% of new motor vehicles over to non-petroleum fuels within 20 years, by funding R&D and the re-tooling of automobile plants.
The bill includes "interim" measures to conserve energy and increase domestic oil production. This would include tax credits for consumers who buy energy-efficient vehicles. It would also expand drilling by allowing more leasing in the Gulf of Mexico and off the coasts of Virginia, Georgia and the Carolinas. Export of domestic oil would be prohibited. The bill would also provide support to nuclear power and the development of coal-to-liquid fuel plants.
As part of its bipartisan approach, the Gang - equally divided with eight members of either party - proposed the energy summit being held on Friday. But even with this last-ditch effort to meet across the aisle, Congress is going to have a tough time squeezing out new energy legislation before America votes in its next president.
Also in blowing in the wind is a possible $50 billion loan package to embattled U.S. automakers that Detroit's Big Three - saddled with plunging auto sales and high gas prices - claim is key to their future success.
"I think chances are slim, and enactment would almost certainly require one chamber to adopt the bill of the other without changes," said Christine Tezak, senior vice president of energy policy research at the Stanford Group. "With four proposals in play and short time lines, that's no easy feat."
But not everyone feels that way. Paul Bledsoe, spokesman for the National Commission on Energy Policy, said there is enormous pressure from the American people for Congress to pass an energy bill.
"I know there's a lot of cynicism in trying to pass a bill within the timeline, but I think it can be done," said Bledsoe. "Congress wants to get something done on this before they go home. It's the number one voting issue in this country. It's subject to a great deal of public attention."
http://money.cnn.com/2008/09/10/news/economy/energy_summit/index.htm?postversion=2008091015
Senators to convene at Capitol Hill energy summit on Friday but experts are skeptical as to whether Congress can agree on an energy bill by Sept. 26 deadline.
By Aaron Smith, CNNMoney.com staff writer
Last Updated: September 10, 2008: 3:13 PM EDT
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- An energy summit is taking place Friday on Capitol Hill and all 100 senators - including the presidential candidates - are invited to attend. But with all the partisan sniping on The Hill, it's hard to tell if a comprehensive energy bill will be signed into law anytime soon.
There have been numerous attempts to get a bill passed to change America's energy policy in the face of high gas prices and an over-reliance on overseas energy sources - and all have succumbed to partisan politics.
Democrats and Republicans are still working on multiple bills, but none of them are close to being signed into law. Now, with an adjournment goal of Sept. 26, the Senate is facing crunch time.
The purpose of Friday's summit, according to the Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources, is to be a forum for discussion to "facilitate the development of comprehensive legislation to address America's many energy challenges." But it's not a workshop for cranking out an energy bill.
"The summit is designed really just to bring in the experts and let other senators come and listen to them say their piece," said Matt Letourneau, spokesman for Sen. Pete Domenici, (R-NM), a ranking member of the committee and summit leader, along with Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM).
Meanwhile, the deadline looms.
Energy policy: Mired in politics
Offshore drilling is one of the most contentious issues in the House of Representatives, where the Democrats hold a substantial majority, and the Senate, which they control by a razor-thin margin.
"While the Republican energy policy is focused more on increased supply ('drill baby drill') and nuclear power generation, the Democrats are more focused on energy conservation, improving the environment and taxing big oils ('tax baby tax')," wrote Fadel Gheit, energy analyst for Oppenheimer, in a Sept. 8 note to investors.
"Increased domestic drilling, in our opinion, is not the answer to the U.S. addiction to imported oil," he wrote. "Neither is taxing big oils."
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said on Tuesday that Democrats were willing to compromise, by supporting a bill this week to allow some offshore drilling.
In a press conference that was slim on details, Pelosi said the bill "will protect consumers and taxpayers with strong action to lower the price at the pump and end taxpayer giveaways to Big Oil."
Meanwhile, the Democratic Senators are pushing for a bill to crack down on oil speculation, which they blame for soaring oil prices. Senators released a report on Wednesday which they say demonstrates the role speculators play in driving up energy prices.
But crude oil prices have actually dropped by more than $40 a barrel since their all-time high of $147.27 on July 11. This prompted a report from Kevin Book, energy analyst for Friedman, Billings, Ramsey & Co., who wrote: "[P]rices are correcting thanks to a well-functioning market assisted by speculators -- the answer is that the debate is not about energy policy at all, but bare-knuckle politics, pure and simple."
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have been discussing energy policy for months without much agreement. The different parties in the Senate and the House have not been able to push forward their partisan bills, and are now scrambling to pass legislation by the September 26 deadline. This prompted Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, (R-Ken.) to call upon his fellow senators to "do right by the American people."
"So far, Congress has been unable to come together on a comprehensive solution to our nation's energy crisis," said McConnell, speaking on the Senate floor on Monday. "But the book hasn't closed yet on the 110th Congress. There is still time to act on this issue. And we should."
The Gang of 16
Which brings us to the so-called Gang of 16, a bipartisan group of senators led by Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) and Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) In what they call a "true compromise," the senators have proposed a $20 billion bill to transition the economy - and surface transportation in particular - so that it's powered on non-petroleum based fuels. The goal is to convert 85% of new motor vehicles over to non-petroleum fuels within 20 years, by funding R&D and the re-tooling of automobile plants.
The bill includes "interim" measures to conserve energy and increase domestic oil production. This would include tax credits for consumers who buy energy-efficient vehicles. It would also expand drilling by allowing more leasing in the Gulf of Mexico and off the coasts of Virginia, Georgia and the Carolinas. Export of domestic oil would be prohibited. The bill would also provide support to nuclear power and the development of coal-to-liquid fuel plants.
As part of its bipartisan approach, the Gang - equally divided with eight members of either party - proposed the energy summit being held on Friday. But even with this last-ditch effort to meet across the aisle, Congress is going to have a tough time squeezing out new energy legislation before America votes in its next president.
Also in blowing in the wind is a possible $50 billion loan package to embattled U.S. automakers that Detroit's Big Three - saddled with plunging auto sales and high gas prices - claim is key to their future success.
"I think chances are slim, and enactment would almost certainly require one chamber to adopt the bill of the other without changes," said Christine Tezak, senior vice president of energy policy research at the Stanford Group. "With four proposals in play and short time lines, that's no easy feat."
But not everyone feels that way. Paul Bledsoe, spokesman for the National Commission on Energy Policy, said there is enormous pressure from the American people for Congress to pass an energy bill.
"I know there's a lot of cynicism in trying to pass a bill within the timeline, but I think it can be done," said Bledsoe. "Congress wants to get something done on this before they go home. It's the number one voting issue in this country. It's subject to a great deal of public attention."
http://money.cnn.com/2008/09/10/news/economy/energy_summit/index.htm?postversion=2008091015
Silverbird
Well-known member
Who cares, whatever it is I don't want the bill.
Frixxxx
Moderator
OK, gov't worker here....Tell me NNUUT, Have you pursued a job in this sector? I'm thinking there is NO OVERSIGHT on this group...Well maybe there is now!!!!
Government workers in oil industry sex and drug scandal
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN1043918820080911:suspicious:
Government workers in oil industry sex and drug scandal
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN1043918820080911:suspicious:
Sorry, didn't mean to offend anyone!:embarrest:
nnuut
Moderator | TSP Legend
Sorry folks couldn't get to my desk this morning, duty called!!:embarrest:
Oil industry hunkers down
Oil rigs are evacuated in Gulf of Mexico as Hurricane Ike aims at Texas.
By Aaron Smith, CNNMoney.com staff writer
Last Updated: September 12, 2008: 11:15 AM EDT
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The energy business on the Gulf coast hunkered down as Hurricane Ike churned towards Texas on Friday, where it could make landfall Friday night or Saturday.
Evacuations continued from oil rigs and platforms in the Gulf of Mexico, and from parts of coastal Texas, including Galveston and parts of Houston.
Gas prices edged up nationwide by a fraction of a cent on Friday, to an average of $3.675 per gallon from $3.671 the prior day, according to the motorist group AAA. But in Houston, the increase was more dramatic, with the average gas price jumping more than 4 cents to $3.496.
In the most recent figures available, the Minerals Management Service reported on Thursday that 562, or more than 78%, of the 717 manned production platforms in the Gulf had been evacuated, along with 93 of the 121 rigs.
But the real-time figure is likely higher, as all companies in the Gulf reported on Thursday that evacuations were either underway or completed. Many of the facilities were in the process of being restarted after Hurricane Gustav, which had swept through the Gulf and crashed into Louisiana on Labor Day weekend.
Some companies, such as BP (BP) and Chevron (CVX, Fortune 500), reported on Thursday that all evacuations of offshore facilities had been completed.
Chevron spokesman Mickey Driver said all 3,000 employees and contractors had been pulled out of the Gulf, where the company operates about 700 production facilities, including 400 manned platforms. It was still operating some unmanned facilities remotely.
ConocoPhillips (COP, Fortune 500) on Thursday had pulled all workers from its offshore Magnolia platform.
Texas is home to 26 refineries, which can process almost 4.8 million barrels of crude per day, or more than 25% of the nation's total refining capacity, according to the Department of Energy.
Most of Texas' refineries are the Gulf Coast ports of Houston, Port Arthur, and Corpus Christi. The refineries along the Texas Coast are more vulnerable to the strong winds and rain that Ike brings than the oil rigs in the Gulf. http://money.cnn.com/2008/09/12/news/economy/hurricane_ike/index.htm?cnn=yes
Oil industry hunkers down
Oil rigs are evacuated in Gulf of Mexico as Hurricane Ike aims at Texas.
By Aaron Smith, CNNMoney.com staff writer
Last Updated: September 12, 2008: 11:15 AM EDT
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The energy business on the Gulf coast hunkered down as Hurricane Ike churned towards Texas on Friday, where it could make landfall Friday night or Saturday.
Evacuations continued from oil rigs and platforms in the Gulf of Mexico, and from parts of coastal Texas, including Galveston and parts of Houston.
Gas prices edged up nationwide by a fraction of a cent on Friday, to an average of $3.675 per gallon from $3.671 the prior day, according to the motorist group AAA. But in Houston, the increase was more dramatic, with the average gas price jumping more than 4 cents to $3.496.
In the most recent figures available, the Minerals Management Service reported on Thursday that 562, or more than 78%, of the 717 manned production platforms in the Gulf had been evacuated, along with 93 of the 121 rigs.
But the real-time figure is likely higher, as all companies in the Gulf reported on Thursday that evacuations were either underway or completed. Many of the facilities were in the process of being restarted after Hurricane Gustav, which had swept through the Gulf and crashed into Louisiana on Labor Day weekend.
Some companies, such as BP (BP) and Chevron (CVX, Fortune 500), reported on Thursday that all evacuations of offshore facilities had been completed.
Chevron spokesman Mickey Driver said all 3,000 employees and contractors had been pulled out of the Gulf, where the company operates about 700 production facilities, including 400 manned platforms. It was still operating some unmanned facilities remotely.
ConocoPhillips (COP, Fortune 500) on Thursday had pulled all workers from its offshore Magnolia platform.
Texas is home to 26 refineries, which can process almost 4.8 million barrels of crude per day, or more than 25% of the nation's total refining capacity, according to the Department of Energy.
Most of Texas' refineries are the Gulf Coast ports of Houston, Port Arthur, and Corpus Christi. The refineries along the Texas Coast are more vulnerable to the strong winds and rain that Ike brings than the oil rigs in the Gulf.
http://money.cnn.com/2008/09/12/news/economy/hurricane_ike/index.htm?cnn=yes
nnuut
Moderator | TSP Legend
I don't know? The "G" fund I think?
James48843
Well-known member
My local gasoline pump prices are jumping already- after last week's Gustav, and now we're about to get Ike.
Looks to me like we're about to get a huge spike in gasoline prices. Better fill up today while you have a chance. When Ike comes ashore, Houston area refiners are going to get hit very, very hard.
Looks to me like we're about to get a huge spike in gasoline prices. Better fill up today while you have a chance. When Ike comes ashore, Houston area refiners are going to get hit very, very hard.
Frixxxx
Moderator
LOL, you think...that's good! Thanks for the laugh this morning!:laugh:
James48843
Well-known member
How do you get a job with Interior Department Minerals service?
Sounds like some real interesting fringe benefits...
(note- before you say anything- that was intended as a joke....)