BP Gets Green Light for Ultra-Deepwater Drilling Off Louisiana

BP Approved for New Ultra-Deepwater Drilling Project Near Deepwater Horizon Site

In a move drawing sharp criticism and comparisons to past environmental disasters, the Trump administration has greenlit a new ultra-deepwater oil drilling project off the coast of Louisiana. The project, approved late Friday, will operate at approximately 6,000 feet, surpassing the depth of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster which occurred at 5,000 feet.

Echoes of Disaster: The Deepwater Horizon Catastrophe

The decision immediately brings to mind the catastrophic Deepwater Horizon oil spill of 2010, the worst in U.S. history. The incident began with an explosion on the drilling rig, which killed 11 men and subsequently sank. For three months, millions of barrels of oil spewed into the Gulf of Mexico from the damaged wellhead, creating an environmental crisis of apocalyptic proportions.

Efforts to cap the well were marked by desperation and unconventional methods. The transcript highlights the infamous “junk shots,” where materials like golf balls, plastic pieces, and old tires were used in attempts to clog the well. These were later rebranded as “top kills,” but neither proved effective. The spill also saw the widespread use of chemical dispersants, the nature and impact of which remain a subject of concern.

The operational failures extended to safety protocols. The Deepwater Horizon was equipped with a blowout preventer that ultimately failed. Furthermore, its emergency response plan was widely criticized for being inadequate and absurdly misaligned with the actual location. Reports indicated the plan included provisions for rescuing walruses, creatures not native to the Gulf of Mexico, and listed deceased individuals as emergency contacts.

The economic and environmental toll of the Deepwater Horizon disaster was immense, with cleanup and compensation costs exceeding $65 billion. BP, the company responsible, faced significant legal and congressional repercussions.

New Project, Same Company, Questionable Plans

Adding a layer of concern, the company approved for the new ultra-deepwater drilling project is BP, the same entity responsible for the Deepwater Horizon disaster. Reports indicate that BP’s emergency plan for this new operation remains largely unchanged from the one used in 2010, heavily relying on chemical dispersants.

The transcript suggests a stark contrast in regulatory oversight between the Obama and Trump administrations. While the Obama administration had Energy Secretary Steven Chu, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist, actively involved in addressing the Deepwater Horizon crisis, the current administration’s approach is characterized by a different energy secretary whose public statements have been noted for their inaccuracy and subsequent retraction.

Broader Concerns: Pipelines and Geopolitical Tensions

Beyond the deepwater drilling approval, the Trump administration has also ordered the restarting of a pipeline in Southern California that has been inactive for over a decade due to a previous major oil spill. This decision, like the BP drilling approval, has raised concerns about environmental safety and regulatory diligence.

The article also touches upon the administration’s handling of geopolitical tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. It critiques the President’s conflicting statements regarding naval escorts for oil tankers and the formation of international coalitions, suggesting a lack of clear strategy and potential missteps that could exacerbate regional instability and impact global oil prices. The narrative links these actions to potential benefits for Russia, which is seen as profiting from increased oil prices amidst the geopolitical conflict.

Legal and Ethical Questions Surface

The transcript raises significant questions about the administration’s decision-making, particularly concerning potential conflicts of interest and adherence to legal and ethical standards. It points to reports of Jared Kushner seeking further investment from Saudi Arabia for his private business while simultaneously acting as a key U.S. liaison in the Middle East. This situation is framed as a potential exchange of U.S. policy interests for private financial gain.

Furthermore, the article highlights a series of legal setbacks for the Trump administration across various domains, including challenges to changes in immunization schedules, restoration of union rights, protection of immigrant status, and attempts to dismantle federal agencies. These judicial decisions are presented as evidence of the administration’s struggles with legal and constitutional compliance.

Looking Ahead: Environmental Risks and Political Scrutiny

The approval of BP’s new ultra-deepwater drilling project, coupled with the reopening of the California pipeline, signals a continued focus on oil and gas exploration under the current administration. Environmental advocates and concerned citizens will be closely watching these operations for any signs of environmental mismanagement, drawing parallels to the Deepwater Horizon disaster. Concurrently, the administration’s foreign policy decisions and their potential economic and security implications, particularly in the Middle East, remain under intense scrutiny. The ongoing legal challenges to the administration’s policies suggest a period of continued contention and oversight.

Source: The Rachel Maddow Show – March 16 | Audio Only (YouTube)