Erosion may send Alaska oil wells into the ocean

[jpak]

http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSN2541492220070725

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Reuters) - Old Alaskan oil wells could be swallowed by the ocean as rising temperatures speed up erosion of the state's Arctic coastline.

The disappearance of sea ice that shields against storm-waves, and of permafrost that holds shorelines together, is eating away at the coast of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, according to a U.S. Geological Survey study.

Erosion rates have risen steeply along the coastline of the reserve -- where the administration of President George W. Bush wants to increase oil drilling -- possibly due to warmer weather, the study showed.

"Coastal erosion has more than doubled along a segment of the Arctic Alaska coast during the past half century," it said, adding the land loss was being magnified by the conversion of freshwater "thermokarst" lakes into saltwater bays as they become inundated with waters from the Arctic Ocean.

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[Ezlivin]

1. No worry. The oil companies will promptly clean up any messes.

Just like Exxon did when the Valdez spilled its goods.

:sarcasm:

[Dogmudgeon]

2. Haven't they already lost a few?

I think there was some talk around here about thermokarsting damage about two, three years ago, and IIRC, at least one oil rig was lost.

Anybody know for sure?

--p!