Wouldn't the drillinlg in ANWAR be like a "checkerboard"?!?!

[TankLV]

I read someplace awhile back that, yes, the actual sum total of all the land that they want to drill on is quite small compared to the whole parcel, but that there will be "spot drilling" all over the entire ANWAR, making it virtually all pockmarked by drilling sites and their access roadways...

Or is that no longer the case?

[napi21]

1. I don't know. Yesterday, I heard somone on the radio talking about

how they could horizontal drill from just outside of the reserve, gain access to the oil they're crying aobut and not disturb a thing. I think it was some Dem candidate from Ak. I don't recall what show it was, but it was on KPOJ in Oregon. The first thing that came to my mind was "Oh my God, somebody is actually trying to "work this out to everyone's satisfaction!"

[Submariner]

2. The directional drilling can limit the number of exploratory wells

but the real problem is the raised gravel access roads that would block the migration and natural movements of the caribou, particularly the young in the nursery areas.

ANWR is too fragile an ecosystem to sacrifice for a few months of oil. It is more prudent to explore in less sensitive habitats. Don't listen to Boner and the other repukes that say it's a wasteland. They are ignorant putz's.

[FogerRox]

8. Directional drill can go 4-5 miles sideways, proly not far enough

20 miles might do the trick though, in the case of ANWR, since 80% of ANWR oil is found in the NW corner of area 1002.

[lostnotforgotten]

3. 12 Billion Barrels - 20 Million Barrels Per Day - 600 Days Supply

Less Than Two Years Of US Supply!

[magellan]

5. On top of that it won't be solely for our use -- much will be sold abroad

Best estimates I've read are that it'll reduce gas prices by pennies for a short time in 7-10 years. I shudder to think what the price of a barrel will be by then. Will anyone care about a few pennies savings on a gallon of gas when that gallon costs $10 or more?

[FogerRox]

6. 12 BB may be optimistic

Even the Energy Information Agency uses lots of qualifiers when speaking about ANWR:

ANWR Production Uncertainties

There is much uncertainty regarding the impact of opening ANWR on U.S. oil production and imports, due to several factors:

*There is little direct knowledge regarding the petroleum geology of the ANWR region. .... based largely on ... neighboring State lands. Consequently, there is considerable uncertainty regarding both the size and quality of the oil ... in ANWR. ... ultimate oil recovery and potential yearly production are highly uncertain.
* Oil field sizes.
The size of the oil fields found in ANWR is one factor....if the reservoirs are smaller than expected, then production would be less.
* The quality of the oil and the characteristics of the oil reservoirs. Oil field production rates are also determined by the quality of oil found, e.g., viscosity and paraffin content, and the field’s reservoir characteristics, i.e., its depth, permeability, faulting, and water saturation.



http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/servicerpt/anwr/results.html

http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2002/fs045-02/

[FogerRox]

4. 80% of the oil in ANWR is in the North west corner of the 1002 area

SO no. See the graphic above, it will push the caribou herds east. Seismic studies have shown the oil companies where the oil is likely to be found.

Dont forget:
1) Existing leases are 68 million acres, holding 100 billion barrels of oil.
2) ANWR holds 4 to 11 billion barrels, of likely very thick API 19 to 22 oil, not much better than tar sands.
3) Bush said opening up offshore drilling gets us only 18 billion barrels.

http://www.bluejersey.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=8507

[MiniMe]

7. Aside from the leakage from the wells that is possible

I think it is the roads and the pollution more than anything else. They want to take a pristine area and subject it to carbon monoxide and vehicle exhaust. And how would they get the oil out of there? No matter what method they would choose, it would be enourmously expensive. You can add to that pollution of where they will live. And how they will get electricity and supplies, etc.

[napi21]

11. I heard they already have leases on the land right next to ANWR.

In fact, I think it was the same AK candidate who said they are already drilling on the land that abuts AN. That's why he said he was willing to compromise and allow horizontal drilling. It wouldn't be doing any more surface destruction than is already being done. If that's true, the roads they need are already there and the exhaust is already there.

[Submariner]

9. ANWR should be designated an "Emergency Reserve Supply"

When we've pumped it out of everywhere else on the planet, and if we still need more because our greed kept us from doing the right thing, then invade and pump the sensitive habitats and show the human species to be the true asshole of the animal kingdom that it is.

[Karenina]

10. $$$KILL THE PLANET$$$

Yeah, THAT'$ the ticket!

[AdHocSolver]

12. It isn't the oil. It is about intimidating people to train them to act against their own interests.

[kskiska]

13. I've read that they claim it's like a table

and they only measure the part where the legs touch the ground, rather than the entire area affected, to minimize the perception that large areas are involved, which they are.