Drilling Plans Off Cuba Stir Fears of Impact on Gulf

[Scurrilous]

<snip>

"Five months after the BP oil spill, a federal moratorium still prohibits new deepwater drilling in the American waters of the Gulf of Mexico. And under longstanding federal law, drilling is also banned near the coast of Florida.

Yet next year, a Spanish company will begin drilling new wells 50 miles from the Florida Keys — in Cuba’s sovereign waters.

Cuba currently produces little oil. But oil experts say the country might have reserves along its north coast as plentiful as that of the international oil middleweights, Ecuador and Colombia — enough to bolster its faltering economy and cut its dependence on Venezuela for its energy needs.

The advent of drilling in Cuban waters poses risks both to the island nation and the United States.

Ocean scientists warn that a well blowout similar to the BP disaster could send oil spewing onto Cuban beaches and then the Florida Keys in as little as three days. If the oil reached the Gulf Stream, a powerful ocean current that passes through the region, oil could flow up the coast to Miami and beyond."

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[dipsydoodle]

1. Yes - Cuba’s sovereign waters

and enough to bolster its faltering economy and cut its dependence on Venezuela for its energy needs.

A downside to the USA's embargo against Cuba I guess so best just deal with it.

[Hannah Bell]

2. wow, suddenly the ptb are concerned about offshore oil drilling.

[Peace Patriot]

3. Please identify your source in the OP--in this case, the New York Slimes.

I like to know whose slime I risk falling into, when I click on an article.

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"The prospect of an accident is emboldening American drilling companies, backed by some critics of the embargo, to seek permission from the United States government to participate in Cuba’s nascent industry, even if only to protect against an accident." --NY Slimes

:rofl:

[Billy Burnett]

4. Too funny.

Since the BP chemical attack upon America in US waters, Cuba will require two backup wellbores to be completed for an emergency bottom kill prior to the primary's completion (much like Canada and other nations -except the USA- require).

Cuba's government is very cognizant of their environmental protection, and that is why Cuba is the only nation to receive WWF sustainability recognition.

http://www.ecosherpa.com/news/cuba-only-country-with-sustainable-development/