...Drilling For Oil In ANWR, Is It Worth It? Alexander Payne - Engineering Student, University of West Florida Abstract - This report will take an objective look at the possibilities of drilling for oil in Alaska. We will take a look at all of the possible benefits and good that could come out of this, as well as all of the drawbacks and negative effects that can come from drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. This report will also take a look at some possible alternatives to drilling for oil in ANWR that could possibly reap the same benefits, if not more. Index Terms – Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Porcupine Caribou, Mineral Rights, Surface Rights, Aleuts, Eskimos, Tlingits, Crude Oil, Fossil Fuels, Solar Energy, Wind Energy, Cellulosic Ethanol, oil rig, oil spill. Introduction: Oil and its uses 1 What is Oil? There many things referred to as “oil”, but in our case, oil is a liquid substance derived from petroleum that is used as a fuel source in hundreds of different applications, and it is also used as a lubricant. Oil is considered to be one of three main fossil fuels, the other two being coal and natural gas. As you probably know, fossil fuels are nonrenewable because it takes far too many years for nature to reproduce what we are taking away from it. 2 Uses Of Oil Just about anything you can think of that runs off of an engine more than likely uses oil. Just to name off some other uses, oil can...
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...Cession, Oregon Country, and Finally, Alaska. As all these new states were being produced, America was positive that their natural resource supply would last a lifetime. Nevertheless, advancing to the year 1980, the United States found itself in an oil crisis. America was importing more than a third of its oil, therefore questioning how America would keep its economy running? There were two...
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...Should the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Be Opened to Oil Drilling? SCI207 Dependence of Man on the environment July 11, 2010 Abstract The rising cost of gas has been a great debate for consumers and congress. Currently the price of gas is between $2.71 to 3.39 depending on what state you live in. Consumers are finding it more and more disturbing that gas is increasing what is it going to take to make the prices decrease? Is oil drilling here in the United Stated the best thing to do? Oil Drilling has been a topic for our government for years. It seems that the debate is that oil should be drilled hear in our United States. Some have stated that oil drilling would be costly. But it would also reduce the amount we consumers spend on gas. If drilling was to take place there is an area in Alaska where the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is. I hope to show the positive side of oil drilling in Alaska and the negative affects it will have on oil drilling. Currently, I understand both sides of drilling oil but it is not fair to kill off wildlife if oil drilling could be possibly found in areas where there aren’t any wildlife would be good or if the government could provide proof that if oil drilling was to take place that the wildlife would not be hurt. As we look at both sides of why to drill and why not we can explore just what seems to be the big problem we and what the decision should...
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...known as drilling. Earthquakes have been known to spawn due to the constant pressure and movement they are doing to the earth (known as man-made earthquakes) when society wants to tap into the oil reservoir. Consequently, this may be the fate of Alaska. Our current administration wants to sell over half of Alaska to oil companies which threaten wildlife, the ecosystem, and expose even more hazards there because of modern-day technology. However, to some people land doesn't matter at all. It is all about money and what they can do with getting the oil out at all costs! A good example is the United States of America's current Administrator, Trump. He is out to get rid...
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...03/10/2013 Jennifer Beaman To Drill or Not to Drill Alaska drilling in the ANWR refuge is a controversial debate because of the issues which are associated with destroying the wilderness. The ANWR is located in the “North Slope area of Alaska and eight million acres of this selected segment of the landscape is in the National Wilderness Preservation System, which is intended to protect pristine and untouched land areas” (Burley, 2010, p.1). Drilling for oil in the ANWR will destroy the environment; endanger the caribou herds, birds, and other wildlife. However, the opposing viewpoints contend that it would provide jobs, help with our oil supply, and not destroy the land. Examining other alternatives for energy shortages in the United States would prevent the destruction of the ANWR and other protected habitats. Renewable sources of energy like solar energy, and wind power would not affect the environment or cause pollution. The dependence on oil and other fossil fuels needs to be curtailed, so, the Alaska Refuge is not destroyed. Additionally, “each year oil operations on Alaska’s North Slope emit more than 70,000 tons of nitrogen oxides, which contribute to smog and acid rain” (National Resource Defense Council, 2010, p.1). Toxic oil spills kill the plants and vegetation, air pollution caused from drilling and emissions affects the air quality, and hazardous waste contaminates the water supplies. The drilling on the ANWR is causing damage to the plant life, air, and...
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...The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is a national wildlife refuge located in the northeastern part of Alaska. It consists of over 19 million acres in northeast Alaska. It is run and controlled by the Fish and Wildlife Service in the Department of the interior. Its 1.5 million acre coastal plain located on Beau Fort Sea is currently viewed as one of the biggest and most likely next US onshore oil and gas prospect. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge was created in 1960 to protect and maintaining its’ naturally maintaining area of arctic and sub-arctic ecosystems. In 1971, congress enacted the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to resolve all Native aboriginal land claims against the US. It provided monetary payments and also created Village Corps. In 1980, Congress enacted the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act which include several sections about ANWR. The Artic Range was renamed the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Section 1002 of ANILCA directed a study of the coastal plain, which is now known as the 10-02 area, which I will talk about later. The main objective is to protect and maintaining its naturally maintaining area of arctic and sub-arctic ecosystems. This refuge is home to a wide variety of plants and animals. There are many different species of big game that roam this area, there are 36 fish species, 36 kinds of land mammals, over 160 bird species and 9 marine animals, which include: caribou, polar bears, grizzly bears, wolves, migratory birds...
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...Oil, the staple that provides energy for just about everyone on earth today, is a current hot topic of discussion among politicians, engineers, scientists, environmentalists, and everyday citizens. Oil has been around since ancient times but oils potential was never realized until the nineteenth century. Is oil starting to be overrun by environmentalists? How long will current oil reserves last? Is oil currently the best and most efficient means of energy production? Should we worry about expanding oil production around the world? These questions and many more are dominating the conversations of energy producers and politicians worldwide. The oil we use today is a byproduct of ancient fossilized organic material. Most oil deposits are found where ancient oceans, seas and lake beds existed. As material such as: zooplankton, algae and other organic materials fell to the floor it was trapped under mud and sand. The speed at which the organic material covered the floor did not allow for its proper decomposition before it was covered with layers of sand or mud. Over time, the areas were buried under sedimentary rock, which caused extreme pressures and heat. This heat and pressure exerted as time passed developed the crude oils we see today. The quality and composition of the crude oil varies based upon the hydrocarbon makeup of the petroleum. Petroleum was first used to provide kerosene for lighting in the mid nineteenth century. Demand for the less expensive...
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...2014 Peer Review Arctic Wildlife Refuge: Controversy Drilling in Alaska has been debated for more than a decade and this topic is still unsettled. Oil companies are urging the United States and the Alaskan government to let them start drilling for the good of the United States economy; the essence of this complicated conflict splits in two main arguments that the Arctic contains a significant oil discovery and will bring more opportunities for Americans, on the opposing view the Arctic contains the last true “Wilderness” in the country. Both viewpoints are debatable and hold good points while drilling could save the United States millions, environmentalist argue that it will do little good for the United...
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...Oil Drilling Jasmine A. Richardson Freshman Seminar Friday 10:20-11:20 Throughout the years the government has spent millions of dollars on oil drilling. But what is the actual purpose of oil drilling? Is it necessary? Are we spending too much money on this one project or is it useful in the end? These questions have been debated so much over and over again. But the question is am I for or against oil drilling? Oil drilling takes up too much time and money for one simple purpose. It takes time and a workload to even begin this process. In order to perform a normal oil drilling process you have to find a land that has to be cleared and leveled, water must be nearby, if there is no water the crews have to dig water well, and lastly the crews have to reserve a pit. All of this is very expensive and damaging to the land. In an article in Bloomberg Business week it was recorded that marathon oil spent 10 million on oil drilling and that was just for one time. If oil drilling is really purposeful for the country why make it so expensive? There aren’t any other resources to finding oil? And the main objective is if we’re spending so much money on oil drilling then why are we even fighting in the war anymore? The damages to the land are excruciating and the government always ends up paying for the damages so that’s double to money they’re spending. One expensive tool they use to capture the oil is the oil rig. They use it to drill into the ground so that they can confiscate...
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...talking points of former Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska, who lobbied for drilling in the North Country. Governor Palin faced tremendous opposition my environmentalists and humanitarian organizations, as well as financial analysts who disputed the positive impact on the economy. The main arguments were the concern for environmental impact - both locally in Alaska and globally - and cost. The Royal Dutch Shell oil company has invested billions of dollars in lobbying for drilling rights, with the sole purpose of dominating the market. Although there are thousands of jobs generated by the oil companies willing to invest in drilling in such harsh conditions, safety, environmental impact on the wildlife, and the impact on local inhabitants is a continuing concern. “The stakes are huge--for Shell, for the environment, for the oil industry, and for the oil-addicted U.S. economy. The fact is, oil demand is soaring. Worldwide oil consumption is now running at 89 million barrels a day, according to the International Energy Agency. Not only is that up 6% from the lows of the recession--a big increase given tight supplies--but it's also above the pre-recession peak of 87 million barrels notched in 2008.” (Birger, 2012) There is also major concern about oil spills, especially since the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, and one of the worst oil spill disasters of all times – the Exxon Valdez oil tanker spill in 1989. My concern is for the...
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...drill for oil in Alaska’s environment? I believe the U.S. should not drill for oil in Alaska, because firstly, a letter in document D states... “The Inupiat Eskimo people are the Indigenous people of the Arctic Environment. Nevertheless, they still rely on the land and resources of the North Coastal Plain for food, shelter, culture, and economic well-being.” Secondly, in document D it states “The ANWR is determined to prevent development in even the smallest corner of the Arctic Coastal Plain. The only way we would want drilling to be done on only the private lands and island outside of the ANWR.” So consequently, this could potentially destroy the Alaskan Coastal Plain. The U.S. should not drill for oil in Alaska. Why? Firstly, charts have shown that the U.S. uses way too much oil than we need. So, oil consumption rates could be lowered without damaging Alaska’s environment by...
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...in north-eastern Alaska, States. It consists of 19,286,722 acres. It is the largest National Wildlife Refuge in the country. It was established in 1960. What is a wild life refuge? A wild life refuge is a place which gives animals the space and freedom they need to feed themselves and raise their young. Because the land is protected they can do these things without clashing with people. Where is the ANWR and why is it being preserved? The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is a national wildlife refuge in north-eastern Alaska, States. The reason why it is being preserved is because Robert Marshall in 1938 was able to understand how we would change the habitats of animals and destroys them to get the things we need like oil. So he proposed a ‘permeant American Frontier’ that would preserve a big chunk of Arctic Alaska wilderness. In the 1950’2, people who were worried about habitat loss and pollution proposed to Congress for that same frontier. In 1960, Congress created the refuge. When did they discover oil in Alaska and how much is estimated to be there? They discovered the oil i9n Alaska in 19870 at Prudhoe Bay it supplied two million barrels of oil a day. However as time has gone on the amount of oil that is in the Bay has decreased and is getting lower and lower each year, this has then lead to the U.S government having to find new oil supplies and one of these is in the ANWR. Geologists examined this area and it has an estimated amount of oil of 10.4 billion barrels...
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...On July 27, 2010 oil began leaking from a well off the coast of New Mexico. This spill, classified as an accidental spill, will greatly affect worldwide business and business practices. Before the conclusion of the oil spill, 4.4 million barrels of oil will have leaked into the Gulf of Mexico. This catastrophic event will have a clear negative effect on international business that will in turn people living and working throughout the world. The primary business that was affected by the oil spill was the seafood market. Many worldwide seafood distributers and restaurants rely on this region for the products that make their business successful. According to Jaquetta White, the spill has decreased the number of crabs, lobsters, and other types of ocean fish produced around the world. The area that was affected by the spill was extremely rich in crabs which were exported to the many worldwide businesses that needed them. According to Scott O'Connell, the other type of crustacean that was affected was shrimp. The Gulf region has an abundant population of shrimp that are exported all around the world but especially to Mexico. In addition to negative seafood sales across the world, was the impact to fishermen and their crews when they could not continue to capture their product from the oily waters. The economic interdependence of these businesses was greatly compromised from the fishermen at the ocean level to the worldwide businesses that did not receive their product (nola.com)...
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...In this research paper, I will be talking about offshore oil drilling and how this will affect Florida. I will give you a little history about this subject and what lead up to the conflict between the people and the politicians. First, we will start out with a little history, we know that offshore oil drilling was only allowed in certain coastal areas. On March 30, 2010, the New Times reported that Obama decided to open offshore drilling to Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico and the Alaska coastline for oil and natural gas. The area that was proposed was a compromise between the oil corporations and national drilling activists. The only problem with this is many residents that this effected would be upset along with environmental groups. Plus, it will...
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...energy and wind energy. On the flip side, those in support of our current energy plan, oil, state that all we need to do is drill in places that we have not already, in places like in Alaska and in international waters. Both arguments are valid argument, but with our country already in a monetary crisis, one must think which would save us the most right now, versus in the long run. As of July 2012, the United States has an overall debt of 15.8 trillion dollars, in 2010 alone the federal government spent 2.7 million dollars (a new addition to the budget), in the advancement of wind energy and solar energy. Wind energy and solar energy are by far the energy of the future, just not the future right now. The biggest thing we have to focus on as a nation is to decrease that debt to zero. Something that has already been in the budget and we as a nation have been spending money on for years is our current method of energy, oil. There are several prospects to increasing the amount of oil. One is to start drilling again in Alaska, while the other is to start drilling off the Gulf coast and into international waters. Unfortunately with drilling in general you run the risks of it interfering with the wildlife. Drilling underwater is known to interfere with whales, dolphins, and other sea life that uses sonar to communicate. The other more serious issue with drilling underwater is if a spill happens. Oil spills are devastating on not only to the animals, but is just as devastating to the...
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