Offshore drilling has been around for a long time and there are many precautions in place to keep workers safe, protect the environment, and reduce the impact on the sea life.  Though of course there will always be some disruption to the environment when people enter the picture (recreation, development, etc.), but when the offshore drilling regulations are followed, it is kept to a minimum. Recently the oil spill in the Gulf has made many people reconsider the risks and safety of offshore drilling.

There are risks to the environment include the following:

• Explosions and fire
• Sonar disrupts communication of some sea life communication
• The ocean floor
• Water temperature
• Oil spills and seepage
• Faulty pipe lines
• Drilling rig exhaust
• Hazard material waste

There are risks to workers as was seen with the explosion on the oil-drilling rig in the Gulf. Explosions, fire, and equipment malfunctions put workers at risk. When precautions and regulations are followed it reduces the risk of injury and death to workers on an oil-drilling rig.

Some feel the risks that are associated with offshore drilling are worth it because it reduces the dependency on foreign oil. The dependency on foreign oil comes with its own risks that are permanent and long lasting.

Some of the regulations that are in place include restricting the use of sonar during times that it can affect the reproduction activities of whales and dolphins that use sonar for navigation in the ocean. Exhaust from oil drilling rigs is restricted. The restrictions are fairly broad to accommodate an emergency when the rigs must run full power for extended periods of time.

The current offshore drilling precautions would be more effective if they were enforced and followed. It is expected that there will be additional regulations and restrictions on offshore drilling due to the results of the recent events in the Gulf of Mexico. It is expected that offshore oil drilling will resume as the push to become less dependent on foreign oil continues. Onshore drilling will most likely increase during the current halt on offshore oil drilling.

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