Abstract The paper discusses the Exxon Valdez oilspill and compares it to the Prestigespill. The paper analyzes the costs and environmental impact each spill had and offers suggestions to prevent more spills such as these from happening. These include the need to have stronger regulations on oil tankers, proper enforcement of maintenance on tankers and a willingness of governments to work together for a common good.
From the Paper "On March 24, 1989, the Exxon Valdez ran aground on a reef in Prince William Sound, "rupturing its hull and spilling nearly 11 million gallons of crude oil" (NOS). In an attempt to circumvent an iceberg, the Valdez captain moved outside of the normal shipping lanes, thus running the large tanker aground. The oil spill that occurred resulted in a large clean-up operation--the largest yet in the world (NOS). Despite the huge impact of the spill, the ecosystem has proven quite resilient. Much of the affected areas look the same as they did before the spill. However, there are still long-term impacts of the spill, according to the NOAA."
Abstract The paper is an endeavor to disseminate the truth from the differing opinions relating to an oilspill and environmental disaster. The paper examines the claims made that the fisheries that were destroyed when the ship Exxon Valdez spilled its oil into the Prince William Sound, have completely recovered.
Outline:
Introduction
Exxon's Shame
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Report
Alaska Fisheries Science Center Report
Conclusions Drawn from the Review of Literature
From the Paper "A report published by the Alaska Fisheries Science Center entitled: "The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill: How Much Oil Remains" states that the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Prince William Sound "released a minimum of 1.1 million gallons of Alaska crude oil into one of the largest and most productive estuaries in North America." (Short, Rice and Lindeberg, 2001) Studies conducted since that time, specifically a study in 1993 returned estimates stating that "7m of shore line were still contaminated with subsurface oil." (Short, Rice and Lindeberg, 2001) Monitoring that has been ongoing in nature has determined that by 1999 "oil was surprisingly persistent and often in relatively unweathered state, containing high concentrations of toxic and biologically available polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)." (Short, Rice and Lindeberg, 2001) Moreover, "fauna from higher tropic levels such as sea otters and sea ducks still have not recovered." (Short, Rice and Lindeberg, 2001) Public concern led the 2001 assessment of the shorelines of Prince William Sound. The following table relates the summary of the sampling effort in this assessment."
Abstract The paper describes the Exxon Valdez oilspill in Prince William Sound, Alaska, the damages it caused to the the coastal environment along southern Alaska's shore, and the methods used for the cleanup. The paper also identifies the legal policies on oil transportation and collection that were created after this spill.
Outline:
Summary of the Spill Impact on the Environment
Legal Policies Following the Spill Oil Cleanup
New Tanker Designs to Minimize Effects of Spills
From the Paper "The oil Tanker Exxon Valdez spilled over 10.8 million gallons of oil into the waters of Prince William Sound on March 24, 1989, after which the currents and waves washed the oil out to sea and in to shore, killing millions of marine organisms and birds. After unsuccessful cleanup methods and attempts, the United States Coast Guard had to resort to skimming the oil off of the water, which proved strenuous, and was made even more difficult by unsatisfactory weather conditions. Exxon was widely criticized for its lethargic attitude when it came to assisting in the cleanup, as the coast guard started the efforts without any help from the oil company."
Abstract This is a case study about the damage oilsspill can cause to society. The author discusses the economic, ethical and legal implication of oilspills. Furthermore, he introduces Kant's and Rawls? philosophical theories on ethics and provides an example of Ashland official behavior during oilspills to support his argument.
From the Paper "Balancing profit and ethical behavior is one of the hardest things that a company has to try to do. In the case of Ashland, company officials failed to act with sufficient care, thoughtfulness and foresight to prevent environmental tragedy. It was this kind of deregulation that of course marked the entire Reagan era in American politics and the environmental consequences of which we are still paying for. "
Abstract Oil has been an important part of the Nigerian economy since vast reserves of petroleum were discovered in the 1950s. In 1997, Nigeria earned over 95 percent of its foreign exchange from the sale of oil on the global market. Foreign oil companies dominated oil exploration, drilling and shipping in Nigeria, with Shell Oil controlling approximately 60 percent of the country's domestic oil market. This paper examines the huge environmental damage in Nigeria caused by oilspills, gas-flaring and oil waste dumping. The paper looks at the destruction to the biodiversity of the affected regions, loss of wildlife and soil fertility and health problems. It looks, in particular, at the problems which affect the Ogoni people of the Delta region and the compensation Shell was forced to pay. Finally, the paper discusses the future of Nigeria's oil industry and Shell's promise to improve environmental concerns in the region.
From the Paper "Critics note that such low-tech security operations can surely be significantly improved, especially when hundreds of millions of dollars are spent in developing technologies to discover oil under the ground. There are many oil pipeline surveillance technologies currently on the market, including a host of fiber optic sensors that detect stress in the pipelines and drilling equipment through subtle shifts in the optic wavelength. Researches at the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio have developed harmonic sensors that can be placed inside of pipes via the flow of oil and then attach themselves to the interior to measure outside force. And over the last two years, ChevronTexaco has invested tens of millions of dollars in startup companies that design pipeline sensor networks (ibid)."
Abstract This paper claims that environmental oilspills are one of the most hazardous and preventable accidents that occur. The paper explains that, although there are a number of agencies that support the ongoing transport of oil via major waterways, by and large, such transport often leads to devastating consequences. The paper describes the importance of the establishment of stringent protocols for the safe transport of oil across waterways. The paper contends that environmental protection agencies need to work in collaboration with tanking and shipping organizations to ensure that every measure is taken to protect the environment from the hazardous effects of oilspills.
From the Paper "Many oil tanker companies and major corporations such as Exxon have adopted protective measures to help guard against spills in the future. Despite these efforts however spills, small or large in nature continue to occur. Exxon even had another oil spill that was much smaller, but a spill nonetheless a few years after the Valdez disaster. Most of the companies involved in spills argue that the environment and ecosystems affected can recovery quickly and efficiently, and that most environments can return to a normal state of existence as they were before a spill. It is according to Dicks (1998) unrealistic to define recovery as a return to pre-spill conditions but rather recovery is defined as the re-establishment of a healthy biological community in which the plants and animals characteristic of that community are present and functioning normally (Dicks, 1998:2). Generally the area will not have the same composition or structure that was present prior to a spill and continues to change over time."
Abstract This paper examines the problem of oilspills into waterways. The paper presents the thesis that oilspills are a terrible ecological hazard which justify such dramatic resolutions as the establishment of a global ship safety standard for qualifications to haul oil and, even more aggressively important, to find ways to reduce America's dependency of fossil fuel and foreign oil.
From the Paper "This is a stark indication that there is a need for something to be done. We cannot afford to sacrifice our environment and ecology to continue to live our collectively chosen lifestyle. It is necessary to introduce meaningful legislation that can at least limit America to a receptiveness to ships meeting safety and environmental standards. That will mean coming to either terms of cooperation or diminishing need from oil trading partner. Of course, facing off with the oil industry is not a desirable task, with the sheer power and influence of this industry making it difficult if not impossible to oppose. However, the economic demands upon the industry are high as well, meaning that there is a sheer internal logic to improvement of standards across the boards."
Abstract The paper analyses the Exxon Valdez oilspill, which occurred on March 24, 1989. The paper examines the environmental concerns of the oilspill, Exxon Valdez being the largest ship ever built for the world's largest oil company. The writer explains that it was not only an industrial accident, but a "technological and organizational disaster" as well. The paper further analyzes the public relations disaster that followed, and concludes that had the crisis been handled differently, Exxon's reputation might well have been enhanced, rather than damaged.
From the Paper "The industry's insistence on having its own way regarding the regulation of the Valdez tanker trade, and the government's incremental accession to industry pressure, culminated into a disastrous system failure (Details pp). The general public reacted with anger over the environmental damage and the mar upon the Alaskan wilderness (Details pp). The Exxon spill remains on the list of the world's largest oil spills during the past twenty-five years, and has come to be seen as the nation's largest environmental disaster, since Three Mile Island (Details pp)."
Abstract Oil has been an important part of the Nigerian economy since vast reserves of petroleum were discovered in the 1950s. In 1997, Nigeria earned over 95 percent of its foreign exchange from the sale of oil on the global market. This paper discusses the environmental damage on the Nigeria caused by oilspills, particularly on the Ogoni people of the Delta Region who claim that Shell Oil Company caused extensive damage to their way of life. The paper examines the damages that Shell was forced to pay out to the tribe, as well as the steps taken by the Shell and other petroleum companies to ensure less environmental damage.
From the Paper "Although residents of the area also complain that tests should be taken to determine the extent of oil spills when they occur, this too, is passed up. The government of Nigeria has no labs that can test for oil pollution and international environmentalists are leery about doing work in the area because of the economic and political situation. As a result, the residents have never taken soil and water samples from despoiled areas. They have never tagged animals with sensors in order to chart disrupted habitats. They have never done a computer simulation to determine whether the canal that Shell built, in order to quicken the removal of oil from the river running through the village, has permanently changed the flow of the river. This was once seasonal but now flows year-round, thereby erasing cyclical ponds critical to spawning fish (Zachary)."
Abstract Specifically, it will justify the assertion that oilspills occur from a variety of sources by bringing many of them to light. Upon this, it will be clear that there is indeed significant cause for concern and even greater need for a system-wide outlook on oil-leakage. After disclosing the various sources of oil spillage into the world's marine environments, the impact on marine ecosystems will be discussed, as will suggestions for prevention and spillage containment and recovery. Specific cases will be highlighted where appropriate. 8 pgs. 17 f/c. 7b.
Abstract This policy document proposes a framework for determining responsibilities of damages caused by oilspills from accidents in the sea and liabilities of the damages. It charts out general directions for the European Union and its member states with regard to the prevention of damage and the realization of compensation.
Abstract This paper describes the oilspill accident that infused several million gallons of oil into a pristine wilderness area in Prince William Sound, Alaska, in 1989. The details of the spill are recorded and the writer also includes the conclusions of the OilSpill Commission that investigated the accident. The paper explains the impact of the oilspill and how the subsequent efforts of ExxonMobil to repair the damage are still considered to be inadequate. The paper also quotes a recent study which concluded that far from having recovered, the Sound area persists to experience problems as a result of the oilspill but concludes that valuable lessons have been learnt from the Exxon Valdez disaster and great strides have been made since the disaster in setting up an oil-spill prevention system in the Sound.
From the Paper "The oil tanker Exxon Valdez was a 987-foot ship, which was the second newest out of the 20 tanker fleets of the Exxon Shipping Company. The ship left the Alyska Pipeline Terminal at 9.12 pm, Alaska Standard Time on March 23, 1989 and was then loaded with 53,094, 540 gallons of North Slope crude oil to be transported to Long Beach in California. (The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Disaster) Exxon Valdez had hit at a reef in the Prince William Sound of Alaska on March 24, 1989 and it was considered as a nightmare. Within three hours if the incident, the Exxon Valdez was being grounded at Bligh Reef, with eight of its 11 cargo tanks being damaged and about several million gallons of crude oil were being spread into Prince William Sound. Before the occurrence of this accident Exxon Valdez had already transported oil through the Prince William Sound for more than 8700 times. Further before the occurrence of the Exxon Valdez disaster, the system of transiting of about 2 million barrels daily from the North Slope oil to the West coast and Gulf Coast markets had worked really well. Such complacency and efficacy were being affected when the Exxon Valdez had faced with the disaster on March 24. (Details about the Accident) This incident not only brought about revolutionary changes in Prince William Sound but also made the world to think seriously regarding the assurances, which were received from the corporations about their operations being safe."
Abstract The writer explores the affect that Alaskan oil drilling has on the environment, the fossil fuel issue and the effect drilling has on the Eskimo's lifestyle. The paper includes a diagram of the animals affected by the oilspilling and discusses points of view for and against the issue.
From the Paper "As the world continues to improve medical research people are living longer than ever before. While people are living longer babies are still being born and this translates to a need for more natural resources than ever before. While the world is using the current resources in record numbers scientists and environmentalists are scrambling to locate new resources and solutions that will support the increasing world population while at the same time protect the environment. Sometimes the scientists and environmentalists agree and other times they are at odds as to the best way to go. For the past few years there has been an ongoing debate about oil drilling in Alaska. Alaska is often referred to as America's last frontier. It is wild and untamed and it has untapped resources that are currently being eyed for the future. Drilling for oil in Alaska has become a controversial issue for several reasons. Environmentalists and scientists remain at odds over the affect the drilling will have on the future of the area. Some of the concerns involve the Eskimos, the fossil fuel question, the environmental impact and the disruption drilling has on the sea. These topics are being addressed while the drilling marches forward which puts the topic in a time crunch in environmental eyes. The affects the drilling has on the environment and those who live in the area must be considered and addressed if the drilling is going to be productive to the world."
Abstract This paper examines the impact of underwater fossil fuel extraction and transportation on ocean life. It looks at how several accidents have happened during the ocean transportation of fossil fuels, polluting the surrounding ocean waters ,and killing marine life, and how offshore fossil fuel extraction may also lead to oilspills, polluting the surrounding environment. The paper examines the effect of oil pollution on ocean life from these two perspectives and argues that the environment cannot survive these accidents for long. Solutions are proposed, such as stricter controls on the specification of the ships used to transport fossil fuels and, maybe, the prohibiting of offshore drilling of fossil fuels.
From the Paper "In order to understand the effects of oil pollution in the ocean life and the difficulties in identifying the invisible pollution, the difference between the short term and the long term effects of pollution should be taken into consideration. The short term pollution is the effect of the obvious pollution on the marine environment. One of the most significant examples of the short term pollution is the accident of Exxon Valdez. As Robert H day Et Al biologists say, on the 24th march 1989, the oil transportation tanker Exxon Valdez crashes the Prince William sound area in Alaska and within hours an incredible amount of oil had spilled into the marine environment."
Abstract This paper discusses how it is possible to isolate some of the more major and dramatic effects that oil has on the environment. This assessment considers several consequences, including oilspills, drilling, and even the wider implications of global warming.
From the Paper "The effects of oil on the environment are wide-ranging and could easily fill hundreds of studies this size. Such an examination would span hundreds of years and incorporate information and statistics regarding everything from the expansion of the railroads in the U.S. in the 19th century to the modern production of plastic chew toys for dogs. The point is that oil is a ubiquitous commodity in contemporary Western society. It affects all aspects of our lives in ways most people don't even think about. The effects on the environment, as such, should be considered just as pervasive. Nevertheless, it is possible to isolate some of the more major and dramatic effects that oil has on the environment. "
