Alejandra, Borunda. (October 4th, 2021) Why is California still drilling for oil despite its ambitious climate goals? Retrieved February 4th, 2022, from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/why-is-california-still-drilling-for-oil-despite-its-ambitious-climate-goals

After the Huntington Beach oil spill, a lot of research has been put into the possible effects and immediate effects that have already occurred. After about 126,000 gallons of oil spread out across 13 square miles, this spill has already created a change in migration patterns for essential birds to the wetlands. The spill is expected to have worse effects than the 2015 Santa Barbara oil spill which had destroyed the surrounding areas for up to 2 years and stunning growth and still is stunning growth now. After being reviewed by Stanford, Californias oil has been determined the most expensive in ecosystem effects and just overall cost. The oil spill has brought up the question of why is California still drilling and the answer was that oil makes up about 1% of the state’s GDP which is a very large number. As Californians we can see the problem yet we are not seemingly assessing the root of the problem.

The first thing I found to be very crazy about this article is the facts and info it has brought in to show the amount of damage these spills cause and also this one. The fact that a previous spill has had such lasting effects and that this is an even larger spill concerns me. How long will these effects last for this time? Did we catch the spill in time? But I think these aren’t even the right questions, I think that we need to ask questions about how we are sourcing our oil and if it is worth it. The article even said that all of the oil that we produce ourselves is some of the most costly oil to extract and is that worth it. We could save the environmental damage and just ship it in, yes this means we still use oil but it means we don’t have to deal with spills. And with the shipping in of oil, it means it is more costly creating a want for change within energy sources. Here in California we aren’t known for our spills yet we get them very often still and they are very detrimental. I think the facts provided about the damage show we need to change and think of how to change fast. 

Talia, Kaplan. (February 1, 2022) Gas prices in California will soar following the LA ban on new oil and gas wells, industry rep warns. Retrieved from February 4th, 2022, from

https://www.foxbusiness.com/energy/how-will-los-angeles-ban-on-new-oil-and-gas-wells-impact-drivers-wallets

In Los Angeles California, gas prices could be on an even more extreme rise as oil production is even more limited. Los Angeles City Council voted to ban new oil wells along with phasing out preexisting wells. Arguments against the movement, state that this will create a loss of jobs and raise the price of gas. If more gas production is phased out in California more will be imported raising the prices even more. In response job programs have been created by the council for the workers. 

I think that this is a great decision by the city as they are working to phase outgas. Along with this, even the downsides are somewhat beneficial, as gas prices rise people will want to use less of it, therefore, creating a push for alternatives and a move to alternatives. I think that this is all great news for our future world as although yes we will still be importing oils and gasses it will be much more expensive and incentivize more change. Also, we will not be taxing our land by drilling or extracting oils which yes we will still be polluting the land but we won’t be disrupting the integrity of it as much. This move is a great step in the long push to minimize oil and gas usage from our world. 

LA, Times. (2021, December 17). Did California Issue Its Last Fracking Permit? Retrieved January 27, 2022, from https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2021-12-17/fracking-permits

I couldn’t access the site again without subscribing so I do not know the author^

State oil and gas regulators have been denying hydraulic fracturing(Fracking) permits in California. No new permits have been issued since February of 2021, although there have been over 100 requests. And is the start of a new age may be as this is the first year California has denied a permit, this news could mean an end to fracking within California. The goal of the state and oil regulators is to limit the effects of oil extraction and therefore, hopefully, production in California as they have related to the heatwaves, wildfires, and droughts. Along with the impact that hydraulic fracking has on the communities nearby and the people within them. Although over 500 new permits have been granted for oil and gas drilling, the government plans to decrease the number gradually to not fully shock the economy. 

I think that this is great news within California, although fracking makes up only about 2% of all oil production within California it shows the government is starting to phase out oil production. Fracking as an industry was harmful and not needed as it only was so limited so to see that the Government realized that and made it a priority to remove it means something. I do agree with the plans which are to slowly phase out the oil drilling within California gradually too and not all at once, because if we were to phase it out immediately not only would economic problems occur but our society would not be adapted or ready enough to embrace the full change too. 

Emma, Newburger (2021 October, 21). California moves to ban oil wells within 3,200 feet of homes and schools. Retrieved January 27, 2022, from https://www.cnbc.com/2021/10/21/california-moves-to-ban-oil-wells-within-3200-feet-of-homes-schools.html

Governor Gavin Newsom proposed to have a 3,200-foot buffer zone, separating schools, homes, and hospitals from oil and gas wells. Any wells within the zones would be required to implement new pollution controls. California has no pre-existing buffer zone which causes the 7th highest oil-producing states, residents, many health problems. Including asthma and other birth defects. This oil buffer zone is not something new as other states have already implemented similar regulations but California would be the largest in the country. The overall downside of this would be the impact on the oil industry and its workers.

I think this is a great thing, it is a small step towards moving away from fossil fuels and is helping communities and their health. The new regulations would also help the environment around the wells which would be amazing. And although fracking wasn’t able to be banned this as I said would be a small but crucial step towards moving California a major fossil fuel producer and consumer away from it all. Yes, this would affect the price of fossil fuels but that as well helps motivate people to move away from them and to new renewable sources. 

Matt, Vasilogambros. (2021, December 20). California Oil Spill Prompts New Push to Ban Offshore Drilling. Retrieved January 28, 2022, from https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2021/12/20/california-oil-spill-prompts-new-push-to-ban-offshore-drilling

After a 25,000-gallon oil spill off the shore of Huntington beach. Many propose, to ban offshore drilling in California; requiring going through federal and state jurisdictions, along with voiding contracts. Newsom already called to end all oil extraction by 2045, but the majority of California’s workforce is within the oil and creates strong opposition. Opposition proposes to create an oil tax, therefore, using oil tax money to support conservation efforts and coastal restoration efforts. Many other states have already put bans in place on offshore drilling showing it is possible for California. California already banned any new leases to offshore drilling after 1994 but drilling operations before the ban are still allowed. Many of these rigs are outdated and have lived past their expected lifespans yet continue to operate and help California to be the 7th largest producer of oil within the country. Many think that all the rigs should be shut down as each passing year exponentially increases the odds of a spill due to the rig’s age. These dismantling projects as a whole would take billions and many years. 

I think this is striking seeing how detrimental the spill was and seeing that although people are calling for action, none has been taken or seemingly won’t for a while. Many of the rigs should simply not be in service due to their age and wear yet they still operate and further risk the oceans and ecosystems around the coast of California. The opposition to the dismantled plans does bring up good alternatives such as an oil tax which would be very beneficial. But change should happen and so many people are valuing their economic wealth over environmental health and I think that this is crazy. The projects would cost both sides extreme amounts of money but wouldn’t that save the money that is required to clean the oceans and restore the damage? We are starting to see the signs of deteriorating offshore oil rigs and it is just the start, only more problems are going to occur and more spills will happen. Yes, it would drive down the oil production of the 7th highest producing state in the nation, and would overall drive down the amount of oil within the US and require more imported oil. But this would force innovation and the move to renewable energy.

World Oil. (2021, July 23). South Sudan Launches First Ever Oil Licensing Round. Retrieved July 30, 2021, from https://www.worldoil.com/news/2021/6/23/south-sudan-launches-first-ever-oil-licensing-round

South Sudan, essentially untouched land to oil companies, is for the first time leasing its land for exploration and production to oil. According to an analysis by the ministry, around 90% of South Sudan’s reserves are unexplored. Sudan is looking for ‘high-quality’ investors who are experienced and foreign, who will bid for blocks that will be evaluated by the MoP. China and Malaysia already accompany the region that will be leased off to the bidders. The available blocks are tending to be from 15,000-20,000km^2 which is about double the average size of a block. Sudan will be offering 14 blocks total but only 5 blocks in the first round of bidding. And will open up more as time goes on, eventually until all available blocks are occupied. 

With the influx of Companies now testing out new untapped lands the resulting detriments seem that they will only rise. We have already been warned about the problems that come with fossil fuels and now with having the lowest amount of them then ever we are still making a push to find the last bit and extract it. Although yes this will benefit our economy and our society for a short period of time, it is only prolonging the main search and need for alternative energy. As we push for the last bit of oil we will grow that much more complacent and not be trying to improve the renewable energy sources. The race for the untapped oil is not what we need as we will soon almost completely remove oil from our world creating a collapse and furthermore polluting the already damaged environment.

Rigzone. (2021, July 29). ExxonMobil Makes Significant Oil Find Offshore Guyana. Retrieved July 30, 2021, from https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.rigzone.com/news/exxonmobil_makes_significant_oil_find_offshore_guyana-29-jul-2021-166058-article/%3famp

In offshore Guyana Exxonmobil announced another oil discovery at Stabroek Block, 120 miles offshore and around 6.6 million acres, much larger than the Gulf of Mexico Block. (location of all the Exxon drill sites offshore Guyana). The Stenna DrillMAX (oil drill) and Noble Don Taylor (oil drill), situated 3 miles from each other, discovered significant amounts of ‘pay dirt’ in sandstone reservoirs in the Whiptail location (offshore drilling location). Exxon is now testing even deeper in the same locations hoping for even more success. Along with Whiptail adding approximately nine billion barrels of oil, Lisa Phase 1, Lisa Phase 2, and Payara are all showing to be profitable as well adding 120,000 barrels, 220,000 barrels, and 220,000 barrels daily (Payara as it doesn’t start till 2025). 

The significance of this article is very extreme, as these discoveries will help to benefit the world. Not only does the article explain the discoveries but it also gives the impact they will have on the future. These discoveries will help to keep the oil business running strong through the next 10 years if not longer due to the sheer quantity that will be produced from the wells. Along with even more plants in development and waiting upon approval will hopefully allow for even more success and more oil production. And although the world is trying to move on from oil, oil is still essential and with these discoveries oil supplies will be able to be at more of a constant as we slowly move away from it. 

New York Times. (2021, January 20). Suriname Could Be Latest Big Oil Find as Industry Cuts Costs. Retrieved July 28, 2021, from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/20/business/energy-environment/suriname-oil-discovery.html

Major oil companies have a newfound interest in Suriname, a small untapped underdeveloped country asking for nearly half the cut of revenue from oil companies than most anywhere else. In hopes to boost the economy Suriname is offering 5-10 more years than anywhere else in their agreements, mixed with the low cost for the barrels of oil, companies are jumping to drill in hopes of success like neighboring Brazil has created recently. Experts predicted at least three billion to four billion barrels of reserves within Suriname mixed with a jump in inflation, president Chan Santokhi hopes that this can lift his country from poverty. And with discoveries popping up at alarming speed the interest in to drill and scavenge Suriname is growing rapidly. 

I think that what Suriname is doing is extremely beneficial for the oil and petroleum world. They will be allowing for oil petroleum to be sold and bought at lower cost which will benefit the consumers and sellers. On top of benefiting the consumers, suriname will be helping out their own economy and helping a developing country develop. And by giving the companies extra time on their contracts it will allow for companies to be able to invest more money and supplies into this area resulting in better production and success therefore helping the oil and petroleum crisis that is spreading. I think that it is great that for once a government is able to help itself and others without greed, as many people will benefit from this. The undeveloped area of Suriname will help fund the final peak of oil consumption before the world changes almost fully to new renewable energy. And therefore bring a smoother transition from oil and petroleum to clean energy.

World Oil. (2021, July 26). Brazil’s offshore revival seeks to double crude output by 2030. Retrieved July 28, 2021, from https://www.worldoil.com/news/2021/7/26/brazil-s-offshore-revival-seeks-to-double-crude-output-by-2030

In Brazil hundreds of millions of dollars are being piled together into offshore rigs and projects to find new pockets. Brazil and Latin America will be responsible for a fourth of oil production outside of the OPEC group. Due to the lack of money in these countries it is hard to move away from the cheap and efficient crude oils. Brazil is now climbing to be a leader in output of oil just below the middle east. COVID slowed the business in Brazil, but President Jair Bolsonaro, is opening Brazil’s oil industry. ANP Brazil’s oil regulation is expecting a massive expansion in the number of rigs and exploration. Brazil’s dams due to the droughts fluctuate resulting in Brazil trying to tap the most out of oil before it is no longer useful. 

This article sheds light on Brazil’s newfound want and push for crude oil‘s, a push that before had not been much like Brazil. Brazil’s massive push to be a top of the crude oil industry output wise represents many of the struggles of developing countries when it comes to the modern world adapting around the energy crisis and climate change. Brazil he’s trying to tap majorly into The oil market and because of this we as a world I’m going to end up milking the last drop of oil out of this world. The idea that countries might as well take advantage of crude oil and petroleum now before they run out of value is truly a terrible thing as they are disregarding what they are doing and not making an effort to change until they are forced out of what they are doing. While reading the article and finding out the background of Brazil’s president and his lack of awareness of climate change it made me question the people that we put in power and what they will do to keep the power. And although Brazil and other countries may have tried all the alternatives I do not understand why they decide to fall back and revert to detrimental ways just to profit. The result of these selfish actions will be nothing but poor and once again will only provide a temporary solution to a problem that will only get worse the more they try to avoid it and fall back on oil as their source.

CNBC. (2021, July 22). Iran opens new oil terminal in bid to bypass the Crucial Strait of Hormuz for exports. Retrieved July 25, 2021, from https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/22/iran-opens-new-oil-terminal-in-bid-to-bypass-crucial-strait-of-hormuz-for-exports.html. 

Iran opened their first oil terminal east of the Gulf of Oman. The terminal started in 2019, reducing insurance expenses and transportation expenses for oil tankers. Majority of oil exports from the Middle East transport in the Strait of Hormuz. Being to the east of the Gulf allows for access to the Arabian Sea. Though while Trump was president he and his administration had decided to re-impose sanctions on Iran’s exports of oil, therefore limiting the oil exports of Iran to half of per usual exports, majorly affecting the Iranian economy. But this new terminal is not covered by the sanctions and therefore will plan to export 1 million barrels of oil per day according to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s. 

This article introduces what could be a new problem to our world considering crude oil’s/petroleum are very harmful and a thing of the past that the world is trying to move on from. This relates to environmental sciences as this problem will only allow for more pollution to the world as exports of oil will be increased and therefore a spiral effect of increases in oil usage, oil mining, and many pollutions as a result. The progress that has been made to limit oil usage and oil pollution will stop if not regress due to the topics of this article. And although the sanctions may hurt the economy of Iran they are put in place to help limit the destruction to our environment, but by trying to find ways around the sanctions only creates more problems for a short term solution. I understand why this is being done but I personally think that this is selfish. Rouhani is doing this to help himself and his country but is not thinking of the impact of his mistake in the bigger picture than just his world.