Re: Boycott WHAT??!!??

Posted by Dan on May 04, 2004 at 19:41:11 from (24.175.74.238):

In Reply to: Boycott WHAT??!!?? posted by Buzzman72 on May 04, 2004 at 08:11:13:

Well, I can tell you how the oil business in the US works. We've found all of the easy (cheap) oil here. Yes, there's still some left, but the operating cost to get it out of the ground can't compete with the imports. The majority of oil wells in the US make less than 10 barrels per day. The average well in the middle east makes something like 3,000 barrels per day, and they have a lot that make much more. We could look for new places to drill, but the Alaskan National Wildlife Refugre (ANWAR, where geologist believe the chances of finding oil is good) is off limits, offshore California (where there are several producing fields, but state regulations effectively ban any new drilling) is off limits, Offshore Florida is off limits (oil and gas has been found, but Floridians think that an oil platform on the horizon would spoil the view), offshore Carolina (an area that where no oil has been discovered, but geologists believe could be prospective) is off limits.
Alternative fuels? Atomic power is a no-no. Wind power has some potential in places where the wind is sufficient, but a recent attempt to install wind generators near Martha's Vineyard caused a real uproar! Fuel cells? Yes, they are clean, but hydrogen doesn't just appear, it has to be "manufactured" somewhere. Hydrogen can't be transported in the existing pipeline network, it would require a whole new system. Hydrogen molecules are so small, a pipeline that transports natural gas would leak hydrogen like a sieve. Ethanol? it's just a government subsidized program for corn farmers. The only currently viable alternative is the hybrid autos by Toyota and Honda, I understand they are selling at a premium over sticker price.

We import over 60% of our oil to feed our refineries because domestic production has been steadily declining for over 20 years. I travel overseas a lot and I can assure you that gasoline prices in the US are a bargain. True, taxes are a big part of gasoline cost, both here and abroad, particulary in Europe where politicians want to discourage driving in favor of mass transit. What many Americans don't realize is that the train system in Europe actually works. It is convenient, relatively cheap, and fast. Further, most European cities have been designed around mass transit - the train station is usually in the center of town, and the subways link all parts of town. The American resistance to mass transit (at least in many cities) leaves us no alternatives.

So yes, there is still some oil left in the US, but not nearly enough to cease imports. Sustained high oil prices will encourage some operators to bring some of this oil back on, but it would be a drop in the bucket (pun intended, but appropriate) compared to demand.

Follow Ups:

• Re: Re: Boycott WHAT??!!?? ntmcj 22:25:21 05/04/04 (1)
  • Re: Re: Re: Boycott WHAT??!!?? jim 06:54:15 05/05/04 (0)

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