Re: [Paddlewise] gulf oil spill

There was a program on Oregon Public Broadcasting that discussed the Exxon
Valdez
oil spill. They overturned rocks along the shores of Prince William Sound and
immediately
found globs of crude oil. So after twenty years the oil is still very much in
evidence. One of
the local residents said that the herring fishery was no more. I believe that
means the
herring were unable to reproduce.

Have not heard about the Sedco drill rig.

Brad


Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] gulf oil spill


  In the 1970s or 1980s a Sedco drill rig blew out somewhere south of
Brownsville, TX while drilling for Pemex. The blowout was a serious disaster
and I think it also sank; although in much shallower water (around 100 feet).
Sedco was owned by some guy named Connallay who was either the Governor of TX
at the time of the blow out or had been Governor. Connalay is the guy who was
shot just in front of JFK in Dallas.

  This was a seriously big blowout and my memory seems to nag to me that they
leaked out more oil/gas from that one blowout than from the current one (so
far).

  I wonder just how much envronmental damage remains. Do you have to look for
it or is it obvious? We hear talk about the Prince William Sound (Exxon
Valdez) incident still having an impact but I wonder how hard you have to look
for the evidence there, too.

  I don't say this to simply minimize the impact of BP's latest disaster on
the environment but to see if there really is a "forever" impact. Is there
some point at which these things aren't really noticable any more? There must
be and I bet it is a lot sooner than most people think.

  Does anyone have any first-hand knowledge of this earlier Sedco blow-out and
the impacts? Opinions are fine but I'd really like some evidence if at all
possible. :)


  Craig Jungers
  Moses lake, WA
  www.nwkayaking.net
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