Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Wildcatting in West Sussex?

The cost of crude oil seems to be bringing about a new rush to seek out additional oil reserves. We've seen Dubbya urging the big oil boys to restart exploration in Alaska, and I read an article the other day which stated that many of the US southern states were seeing the return of the 'wild-catters', commencing a new rush into exploratory drilling on a small scale. Well, now it would appear that it is happening on our side of the big pond too!

As a Geologist by original academic training, I could never understand why the UK had never really exploited what had been known for decades to be small oil bearing structures dotted around our once green and pleasant land. Maybe it was just that such small reserves were simply never commercially viable, but perhaps this is the start of a new exploration era?

Full story from the Telegraph. Let's hope the potential environmental consequences are carefully monitored, managed and controlled? But, errrrrm, just when did that ever happen regarding black gold..........

Indy - NEW - Permit for oil well in South Downs is 'act of vandalism' Ya think? (Junkk Male)

5 comments:

Emma said...

'potential environmental consequences are carefully monitored, managed and controlled'

Optimism is all. I am not aware of too many oil collection systems that blend in too well with the local flora and fauna, and whose additional product does not combust to add to the level of Co2 going up in smoke.

Dave said...

It obviously didn't come across too well but my comment was intended to be read with tongue rather in cheek!

Emma said...

Sorry. You were very 'po-faced' and factual in your writing style.

I just thought a quick nod to how the joke may become real was required:)

Dave said...

Peter,
OK, I think I've made it clear now.

Just a thought, but maybe you ought to know that Ross sits on a nice little anticlinal geological structure - let me know when the rigs move in.
D.

Emma said...

They are running a flood relief tunnel 20m under the house at the mo'. Should I buy shares in Exxon?

'Let me tell you a story 'bout a hugger named Peter,

Tried to save the planet, and fixed a water meter.

Next thing you know it, up bubbled not Perrier, but Ross-on-Wye crude,

So he gave up on the future and splurged instead, watching that gusher at the end of his bed.'