BP Oil Spill
May 2, 2010 9:32 AM
The U.S. Gulf Coast will probably suffer long term environmental consequences as a result of the explosion and sinking of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig last week. Not only were 11 lives lost, but the effect on the environmentally sensitive coastal areas and on the coastal fishing economy may likely be far worse and longer lasting than the consequence of the Exxon Valdez tanker oil spill in Alaska. One of the saddest things about the disaster is that it might have been prevented if the rig had been equipped with an acoustic switch. This remote controlled underwater valve serves as a backup to primary shut-off systems, and is intended to enable oil rig crews to shut down the well even if the oil rig is damaged.
Acoustic switches are mandated on offshore oil rigs by Norway and Brazil, and some major oil companies install them even where they are not required. The Mineral Management Service (MMS) of the U.S. Department of the Interior, which regulates U.S. offshore oil rig safety procedures, concluded that the $500,000 devices are not necessary in light of other existing emergency shut-off alternatives. The oil industry has raised doubts about the effectiveness of acoustic switches, which fortunately have not yet been put to a real life test. The MMS was clearly wrong about the need for additional backups, but the oil industry could be right about the effectiveness of the as yet untested acoustic switches. The solution is to ban all new U.S. offshore oil exploration and oil production rigs until independant rigorous testing confirms that acoustic switches are fail safe, and to require their installation (or the installation of a fail safe alternative), on all new exploratory and working offshore oil rigs in the future. MMS should also re-inspect all existing U.S. offshore oil rigs and require the installation of additional safety measures as appropriate.
Acoustic switches are mandated on offshore oil rigs by Norway and Brazil, and some major oil companies install them even where they are not required. The Mineral Management Service (MMS) of the U.S. Department of the Interior, which regulates U.S. offshore oil rig safety procedures, concluded that the $500,000 devices are not necessary in light of other existing emergency shut-off alternatives. The oil industry has raised doubts about the effectiveness of acoustic switches, which fortunately have not yet been put to a real life test. The MMS was clearly wrong about the need for additional backups, but the oil industry could be right about the effectiveness of the as yet untested acoustic switches. The solution is to ban all new U.S. offshore oil exploration and oil production rigs until independant rigorous testing confirms that acoustic switches are fail safe, and to require their installation (or the installation of a fail safe alternative), on all new exploratory and working offshore oil rigs in the future. MMS should also re-inspect all existing U.S. offshore oil rigs and require the installation of additional safety measures as appropriate.
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