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Originally Posted by buttonpsi  Is that just drilling the rockies, or is the coastal drilling and also far-northern drilling? I can't find info on this havoc that comes from drilling so can you post a link or two? |
Yes, what I'm referring to are only consequences of drilling in and near the rockies. Particularly Utah and surrounding states.
Coastal drilling have a different set of environmental hazards. The ones that pop into my head are:
Tons of drilling liquid to keep the drill working at optimum. Depending on the type of drilling liquid, whether it is water-based or oil-based, will determine it's toxicity to aqualife.
Produced water. Which is the water that comes into contact with the drilled oil, whether it is spilled or used to help pump oil out of the wells.
In addition to the last hazard, oil spills are even more dangerous. However, natural disasters are more of a concern than accidents created by human error.
Structures and platforms that are left behind attract aqualife as "artificial reefs" if not taken apart. Dismantling a platform usually takes a significant amount of money, I'm guesstimating for about $200-300 Billion. If not taken apart, the structures may be toxic to aqualife and spread of anthropogenic hazards if aqualife remains in these structures.
So far the best sources of information that I found regarding the environmental impact are:
Environmental Impact of the Offshore Oil and Gas Industry LUMCON - Bibliography