Greenpeace ships shadow drilling vessels to Arctic

Jun 30th, 2012 

by John Donovan.

Originally published Friday, June 29, 2012 at 1:45 PM

Greenpeace ships shadow drilling vessels to Arctic

Greenpeace is shadowing two Shell drilling vessels that left Seattle to start their journey to the Arctic this week.

The Associated Press

KODIAK, Alaska —

Greenpeace is shadowing two Shell drilling vessels that left Seattle tostart their journey to the Arctic this week.

When the Shell ships arrive in the Arctic to begin boring five exploratory oil wells, the environmental group will be there, the Kodiak Daily Mirror reported ( http://is.gd/MbG4Uk).

Shell Oil spokesman Curtis Smith said Friday that as long as Greenpeace adheres to maritime law and respects a court order requiring it to stay a certain distance away from the drilling ships, the company has no concerns.

The Greenpeace team stopped in Kodiak this week for three days and met with the Coast Guard to discuss the trip, part of the environmental group's "Save the Arctic" campaign. The Esperanza will shadow Shell's drilling vessels as they make their way north. The Greenpeace crew will then spend time documenting Arctic environmental conditions.

The Kodiak meeting was necessary to go over safety concerns and to understand what Greenpeace is trying to accomplish, said Coast Guard Capt. Gregory Sanial.

"With everything, especially in the Arctic, what we're looking to achieve is safety for life at sea for everybody on the water," Sanial said. "Our dialogue with Greenpeace isn't any different than it is with Shell."

The Coast Guard was also concerned with Greenpeace's plans to use small submarines to document the Bering Sea's marine canyons.

"I did explain to them that the Coast Guard has no capability to rescue that submarine," Sanial said. "If it gets in trouble at the bottom of the Arctic Ocean, there is very little the Coast Guard can do."

Greenpeace plans to use two small submarines – one carrying a single person, the other two people – to take scientists underwater to gather information.

"Our intent is to document that pristine environment in places that no submarine-manned expeditions have been before and to bring back to the world images," said lead Arctic campaigner Jackie Dragon.

The information, he said, is especially important "as the industrialization of the high north begins."

—

Information from: Kodiak (Alaska) Daily Mirror, http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com

SOURCE

Posted in: Alaska, Arctic, Business Principles, Environment, Greenpeace, Litigation,Oil Spill, Royal Dutch Shell Plc, United States.
Tagged: Alaska · Arctic Ocean · Beaufort Sea · Chukchi Sea · Oil · Royal Dutch Shell Plc

← Nigerian President Petitioned Through the Nigerian Embassy in USA to Clean Ogoniland

Senator: Arctic drilling a political win for Obama →

Big oil makes vast profits and the consumer gets buggered

Jun 22nd, 2012

by John Donovan.

Above image and text from an article dated 25 Nov 2011

FROM A REGULAR CONTRIBUTOR

John,

You may want to share this article with your readers.

Gas to Liquids – the Hydrocarbons Mash | RBN Energy Network

There can be some confusion about how much natural gas is required to produce 1 bbl of liquid hydrocarbons. Dry natural gas is essentially 100% methane, with no heavier hydrocarbons, like ethane or propane, that can be recovered as 'liquids'. As your readers can see from this article it takes about 9-10 thousand cubic feet of dry natural gas to produce 1 bbl of liquid hydrocarbons, in the form of diesel fuel, etc. So, 10 trillion cubic feet of dry natural gas is equivalent to about 1 billion barrels of liquid hydrocarbons.

Now, in the US natural gas is selling for somewhere between $2 – $3 per thousand cubic feet of dry natural gas. So, 10 thousand cubic feet of natural gas has a selling price of somewhere between $20 – $30. It costs about $5 to convert this gas into liquid hydrocarbons (plant operating costs), excluding costs associated with building a gas-to-liquids plant. So, it costs about $35/bbl max. (at current gas prices) to produce a 'refined product' that has a wholesale value well in excess of $100 bbl.

Now, in Qatar the natural gas that is processed through Shell's Pearl plant also produces about 1 bbl of associated heavier liquids that are removed before the methane in processed into liquid hydrocarbons. So, Shell is getting about 2 bbl of liquids for every 10 thousand cubic of natural gas it runs through its plant. And remember, Shell gets the gasfree, they just split the profits with their partner, the government. Shell is going to (supposedly) produce 250,000 bbl/day of liquids from that plant that are worth in excess of $100 bbl on the wholesale market. That is $25 million/day of refined product, half of which is Shell's. Is it any wonder that Shell has readily spent $20 – $25 billion on it Qatar Pearl gas to liquids plant (Shell had to foot the bill for entire cost of the plant in return for getting the gas free)?

These conversion numbers will also tell your readers that the 350 plus TCF of proven natural gas reserves in the US are equivalent to about 35 billion bbls of refined diesel fuel. That exceeds proven oil reserves in the US. That is about $3.5 trillion worth of diesel. However, when sold as liquefied natural gas that 350 TCF only has a well head value of about $1 trillion.

So, why would the US let its natural gas be exported when it has a much greater value when converted to liquid product in the US??

Maybe the oil companies will export the 'cheap' product, process it into liquids overseas, and then sell those liquids back to US consumers for three times what the payed for it, a huge profit that is not taxable in the US.

Isn't US energy policy (or the lack of one) interesting. Big oil makes vast profits and the consumer gets buggered.

Posted in: Gas, Royal Dutch Shell Plc.
Tagged: Gas · Pearl Gas to Liquids · Qatar · Royal Dutch Shell Plc

← Shell management: thugs in suits

Putin Pushes International Oil CEOs for Access to Assets →

Shell management: thugs in suits

Jun 22nd, 2012

by John Donovan.

FROM AN OUTSPOKEN CRITIC OF ROYAL DUTCH SHELL

On Shell's website you will find the statement:

Shell is a global group of energy and petrochemicals companies. With around 90,000 employees in more than 80 countries and territories, Shell helps to meet the world's growing demand for energy in economically, environmentally and socially responsible ways.

Why do I find this statement hard to swallow and take at face value ???  What utter CRAP.

Let's get real people. Shell (and the oil industry in general) is in the business of natural resource EXPLOITATION. The oil industry is a 'rape, ruin, and run' industry. And don't try to tell me otherwise. I have worked in it for over 25 years, in the US and many countries overseas.

As a company Shell management's primary goal is and always has been to make money, and as much of it as they can, and as cheaply as they can. That is really all they care about. They don't give a crap about the environment or the damage their exploitation activities cause, socially or environmentally. Their business is PROFIT. Pure, plain and simple. The industry's 'touchy, feely, we are good corporate citizens' PR campaigns are so much 'bull' and window dressing for a gullible press, public, etc.

If Shell (and the industry in general) was truly environmentally and socially responsible they wouldn't be flaring god only knows how many bcf of methane a day in Nigeria, and god knows how many thousands of bbls of condensate along with that methane. What a frigging waste of resources !!! And Shell could give a fat rat's rear end what sort of environmental impact this flaring has on the Niger River delta ecosystem and the lives and health of the people living there. Shell management, and the oil industry in general, simply doesn't give a lusty crap. Never has, and never will.

Shell (and other companies as well) is clearly actively aiding and abetting the Nigerian government, such that it is, in the repression of the Nigerian people, because it pays. And it pays big time. Hell, with all the 'seconds' Shell has in Nigerian government agencies Shell (along with other majors) could almost be considered the governing agency for that country.

Look at a satellite nighttime photo of the Niger River Delta. You could probably read a newspaper from the light of those flares. This is responsible corporate conduct ??

Please. Angels and Ministers of Grace deliver us. In Nigeria Shell is engaged in nothing less that industrial feudalism, and that is the way they (and the other major) want it. God forbid the Nigerians get their act together and establish a government that is responsive to the needs of the people. That would end the gravy chain Shell has established. Shell won't tolerate that.

If you really want to understand the 'character' of Shell and Shell management (not to mention other oil companies) just look at how they operate in Nigeria. These people are thugs in suits.

Posted in: Business Principles, Environment, Gas, GoogleNews, Nigeria, Ogoniland, Oil,Outspoken Articles, Royal Dutch Shell Plc.
Tagged: Gas · Gas Flaring · Niger Delta · Nigeria · Royal Dutch Shell Plc

← Obama Administration holds Central Gulf of Mexico lease sale

Stay Young my Friend

From: Alfred Clayton
Date: Wed, Jun 20, 2012 at 8:20 PM

 Stay Young My Friend

Stay Young My Friend

We all need to read this one over and over until it becomes part of who we are!



;
HOW TO STAY YOUNG

1.. Try everything twice.
On one woman's tombstone she said she wanted this epitaph: "Tried everything twice. Loved it both times!"

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.
(Keep this in mind if you are one of those grouches!)



3. Keep learning:
Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever...
Never let the brain get idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.' And the devil's name is Alzheimer's!
4. Enjoy the simple things.
5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath. And if you have a friend who makes you laugh,spend lots and lots of time with HIM/HER.



6.. The tears happen: Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. LIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love: whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever..
Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health:
If it is good, preserve it.
If it is unstable, improve it.
If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.
9. Don't take guilt trips..
Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county, to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

I love you, my special friend!



11. Forgive now those who made you cry. You might not get a second chance..
And if you don't send this to at least 4 people - who cares? But do share this with someone.


Remember! Lost time can never be found.
Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

Wine does not make you FAT .... it makes you LEAN ....
(against tables, chairs, floors, walls and ugly people.)

Father's Day message

The TRUTH will set you FREE.

SAFETY: PreOperational Inspection, Child In Truck Wheel Well,

From: Mosses

Date: Sat, Jun 16, 2012 at 12:43 PM


Always check around your car

Gentlemen:

Share this with all.

This is a good example of why you should look around your vehicle before leaving your driveway/parking area.
All –
Please see this young child in the wheel well of the truck. A Pike crew working for another Utility found this child while conducting a CIRCLE OF SAFETY of the company truck the crew members were driving. I don't want to think about what would have happened if the employee had gotten in the truck and drove off without doing a walk around. Please share this eye opening, bone chilling photo and experience with your work groups.

This crew has also reported children climbing into the back of company vehicles. Keep in mind children will be out of school on summer break soon so be sure to watch out for them!!

Just another reason for us to do the vehicle CIRCLE OF SAFETY before driving off in our vehicles.


Thanks,

Greenpeace vs. Shell: Duelling vessels

 head for Arctic from Seattle

Jun 12th, 2012

by John Donovan.

By Bellamy Pailthorp

Seattle's Elliott Bay is the epicenter of a global energy fight.

The Shell Oil Company has two rigs docked here, the Kulluk and the Noble Discoverer. Also in Elliott Bay is the Greenpeace vessel, Esperanza.

As soon as the ice clears, Shell's rigs will head out for the Arctic. They'll be the first to conduct exploratory drilling there in more than two decades. Greenpeace plans to shadow them, using submarines.

"… to bring back some of the baseline science and some of the information demonstrating what's out there in this pristine environment that really has never been explored by anyone before and yet, a place where Shell wants to begin drilling," says Jackie Dragon, the lead campaigner for Greenpeace's polar expedition.

Shell says there is no real risk.

"If we couldn't do this safely and responsibly, we wouldn't consider doing it," says Shell Spokesman Curtis Smith.

He declined KPLU's request for a tour of their rigs. But he says Shell has invested in retrofitting them to leave the smallest possible impact on the environment, for example, by making sure they capture the mud and cuttings from drilling, so the waste is not discharged in the path of migrating whales.

(KPLU was allowed on the Greenpeace vessel and our summer intern Lindsay Lowe shot this video of the crew preparing one of its two submarines for a test dive in Puget Sound.)

Ice rules

The Shell spokesman says the oil company has taken nothing for granted in its response plan for the remote seas.

"And that's why we are bringing everything that we need with us. Not just the drilling rigs and the personnel, but the on-site and the near-shore and the onshore oil spill response fleet, that in the very unlikely event it was called upon, could begin working and recovering oil within an hour," Smith says.

Greenpeace insists this is not enough. Dragon says the biggest risk is an accident at the end of the drilling window, when ice could prevent any of the response ships from getting to a gushing well.

"And if that occurs and they cannot get to it, and cap it off and drill a relief well, they stand to have an oil gusher that could go on for years," Dragon says. "And that would be devastating to the environment up there."

Shell says they won't let that happen. That's why they've been waiting for the ice to melt before pulling out of Seattle. Shell's drilling window begins "whenever the sea ice clears or on July 15, whichever is sooner," Smith says.

Not their first battle

Shell has a restraining order against Greenpeace. The activists have to respect a federally-mandated exclusion zone and stay one kilometer away from Shell's vessels. That's after some of them were arrested earlier this year for boarding an oil rig in New Zealand – and Shell sued.

(Photos of KPLU's visit aboard the Greenpeace ship Esperanza. For larger images and captions or if your device does not support Flash,see the gallery on our Flickr page.)

SOURCE

Posted in: Alaska, Arctic, Associated Press, Environment, Litigation, Oil, Pollution,Royal Dutch Shell Plc.
Tagged: Alaska · Arctic Ocean · Beaufort Sea · Chukchi Sea · Greenpeace · Oil · Royal Dutch Shell Plc

← Greenpeace, Shell show off Arctic assets in Seattle

Giant Port Arthur refinery unit seen shut for months →

TALUMPATI NI P-NOY SA ARAW NG KALAYAAN

The TRUTH will set you FREE.

MY HEART WILL GO ON

My Heart Will Go on – Celine Dion Song Lyrics

The TRUTH will set you FREE.

Safety Message: Mercury...

From: Alfred Clayton

Date: Sun, Jun 10, 2012 at 8:58 AM
Subject: FW: Safety Message: Mercury...

This is TOTALLY GROSS!  However, If you have a weak stomach you may not want to view.  But thinking about safety – I wanted to pass the word along to be VERY CAREFUL with these new light bulbs.  Pix are extremely graphic.

---

 Use care when changing hot light bulbs
"H"

This is hard to look at!!!!