Oil Rig Explosion - An Environmentalist's Nightmare?

Mariner Energy, Inc.has confirmed that a fire occurred at a production platform located on Vermilion Block 380. All 13 crew members have been evacuated and safely accounted for. One crew member had minor injuries, however, everyone else is completely fine. In the initial flyover, no hydrocarbon spill was reported.

Mariner Energy has notified and is working with regulatory authorities in response to this incident. The cause was not initially known, so an investigation is being undertaken.

Someone reported that they saw a "slight oil sheen" that measured "one nautical mile by 100 feet." One nautical mile is just a bit longer than a normal mile.

A press release from Mariner Energy contradicted the Coast Guard's report of the sheen.

The explosion may not have any future consequences, environmentally, however it will have consequences for both the company and off-shore oil drilling in general. Within minutes of the first reports of the explosion, environmentalists has begun using it to show that off-shore oil drilling and processing is both dangerous and that it's bad for the environment. Quite honestly, I think so too. If we had wind farms instead of coal generators, electric cars instead of gas guzzlers, electric high-speed trains instead of jet commutes, the environment would look different, and we would have a lot safer Earth.

Some people think that, "Well, nothing big has really happened to the Earth as a result of oil up 'til now, why should we change?" The reason is that it will not stay that way. If you look, the Gulf is not bright and shiny, the oil didn't just "disappear" it's under the surface. It's still there, only 3 percent was taken out.

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What people need to realize is that saving the environment starts with little things like recycling, turning off the water when you're not using it, not using plastic bags, avoiding styrofoam cups etc. All these little things add up to making a huge difference.