Thesis: Despite the existing environmental and human losses connected with fracking and offshore drilling, the government cannot neglect its political, financial, and employment benefits, thus promoting new plans and thoroughly analyzing profits and failures.
Bailey, R. (2014). Offshore drilling remains a risk worth taking. In T. Thompson (Ed.), Oil spills: Current controversies. Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven Press. Web.
In his article, Bailey focuses on the benefits and shortages of offshore drilling from the point of view of economics and society. On the one hand, it is hard to ignore the necessity of drilling as it is associated with the conveniences that are critical for modern people. Besides, $323 billion productions ($50 per barrel with 10 billion barrels offshore) is an evident advantage. On the other hand, the author underlines that this industry is dangerous for people due to the lack of a safe prevention system. Offshore drilling continues taking human lives and creating environmental hazards. This article makes a solid contribution to discussing the influence of oil drilling and the development of commodities for people. Although the price of human life is high, scientists cannot ignore the importance of the industry. Therefore, the analysis of risks should help increase safety issues and find the required trade-offs.
Calma, Justine. “Offshore Drilling Has Dug Itself a Deeper Hole Since Deepwater Horizon.”The Verge, 2020, Web.
Calma describes the event known as the Deepwater Horizon that happened on the evening of April 20th, 2010. That night took 11 human lives, and 200 million oil gallons spewed out into the water. The marine ecosystem and economies were harmed, which questioned the necessity of offshore drilling in the region. The supporters of drilling admit that deepwater promotes free cash flow, and the more people dig, the more they find, including greater pressure and resistance. However, the problem was not connected to the nature of drilling activities but the level of employees’ preparedness to work with such volumes of oil. Therefore, this article fits the current research about the main characteristics of drilling and the choice of the position in regard to this sphere. Drilling may be dangerous, but these fears should not touch upon the production of oil but the quality of human knowledge and its application in practice.
Fears, Darryl, and Scott Clement. “Americans Would Rather Reduce Oil and Gas Exploration than ‘Drill, Baby, Drill’.”Washington Post, 2019, Web.
At this moment, the citizens of the United States are involved in multiple discussions about the necessity to decrease drilling or make it stay as it is. Using this idea as a background for their article, Fears and Clement investigate the situation, using the results of a national public opinion poll. People shared their attitudes in a variety of ways, depending on the areas of drilling reduction (federal lands – 51%, offshore – 53%, and both – 32%). However, there are also the individuals who supported drilling, considering the possibility for America to decrease its dependence on imports and create new working places. This article is necessary for the current study as it provides the opinions of local citizens, as well as the government, about the pros and cons of drilling. Regarding the existing outcomes, drilling remains a serious issue for discussion, and the analysis of quantitative data may serve as credible evidence.
Freeman, B. (2014). Fracking is not harmful to the environment. In L. M. Zott (Ed.), The environment: Opposing viewpoints. Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven Press. Web.
Freeman states that the American government is interested in the creation of special conditions to achieve offshore drilling energy independence in the future. The usage of hydraulic fracturing to improve the productivity and quality of drilling is frequently discussed today. The author finds out that the fracturing treatment is not associated with drinking water contamination due to the existing construction requirements and the offered equipment. Instead of accusing the drillers of pollution and the promotion of negative environmental effects, it is high time for opponents to improve their knowledge about the nature of drilling and its actual worth for society. Despite a number of controversies associated with fracking, this article is based on the idea of drilling harmlessness. If people are aware of the techniques and guidelines and standards, they make offshore drilling safe and beneficial. Therefore, Freeman’s work must be used in research to understand the value of drilling.
Zachos, Elaina. “Trump’s Offshore Drilling Plan – What You Need to Know.”National Geographic, 2018, Web.
When people discuss offshore drilling, they should identify all the aspects of the industry. During the last several years, Trump’s drilling plan is analyzed in terms of its impact on society, animals, the environment, and the economy. Zachos combines the challenges and advantages of offshore drilling and describes the essence of the drilling plan supported by the government. While coastal tourism and fishing experience losses, drilling brings high revenues. Focusing on the history of opposition and the intention to promote an independent industry, it becomes clear why the United States does not have a clear attitude toward drilling and fracking. In addition to the two-sided nature of drilling debates, the worth of this article is the relation between the energy industry and other spheres like tourism or recreation. Further research on drilling activities in the United States will benefit from the findings made by Zachos and Trump’s drilling plan promotion.