US says idle Gulf of Mexico oil wells must be plugged

[dipsydoodle]

Source: BBC News

The US is set to require oil companies to plug 3,500 non-producing Gulf of Mexico oil wells in an effort to prevent future leaks, officials say.

The interior department will also require companies to dismantle 650 unused oil and gas platforms.

Some installations have sat idle for decades without inspection for leaks.

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In an order issued on Wednesday, the interior department said wells that had not been used in the past five years for exploration or oil production must be plugged and their pipelines and rig structures dismantled.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-11320852

[Mimosa]

1. Good for the President and the Dept of the Interior

Hopefully the Gulf will eventually heal. But BP hasn't done anywhere near the cleanup which is necessary.

[dipsydoodle]

2. Since you mentioned BP and the subject is sealing wells -

BP's Gulf of Mexico oil well to be sealed 'by Sunday'

BP's ruptured oil well in the Gulf of Mexico is expected to be permanently sealed by Sunday.

Adm Thad Allen, in charge of cleaning up the oil spill, has said a relief well, which has taken more than four months to drill, should intersect the damaged well later on Thursday.

A mixture of mud and cement will then be pumped in, permanently sealing it.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-11324297

[groundloop]

3. JOBS!!! This will kill JOBS!!!!

:sarcasm:


Anyone care to wager how long before oil companiy cries of catastrophic job loss due to this requirement hit faux news?

[Arctic Dave]

4. What's funny is that it will create jobs.

So now all the service companies can't cry about losing work due to the drilling stand downafter the blow out.