Core Bit News: Drilling under Arctic Ice Cap for Oil and Natural Gas

Core Bit Drilling Awareness – Drilling for oil in the arctic has been a most talk about topic recently, with giant oil companies trying to loosen the restrictions in their exploration for oil and natural gas drilling, and environmentalists opposed to this step because of the risks involved. There are many problems involved with drilling under the Antarctic ice cap, and even Alaskan drilling for oil, because of the large possible of damage to the environment and the wildlife in these areas. Oil companies say there are no risks involved, but as we have seen time and time again, it is not possible to drill for oil with no risks involved.

Scientific studies suggest that roughly twenty percent of the undiscovered oil in the world lies underneath the arctic ice cap, and around thirty three percent of the natural gas that has not been discovered is located here as well. There are many concerns when it comes to drilling for oil in the arctic and Alaska. Marine life in the area can be severely affected by the testing methods and procedures as well as the actual drilling methods and processes. Seismic waves are released into the earth, and when these waves return they carry clues about the topography, and any possible hidden reserves of oil or natural gas.

Using seismic waves has been proven to be disruptive and harmful to whales, and result in mass beaching when the whales become disturbed. When ExxonMobil used seismic waves to explore close to Madagascar, over one hundred whales were beached, and ExxonMobil suspended the exploration because of this. Even with seismic waves, geologists can never be certain that there is fossil fuel under the earth until the drilling confirms it. Quite often, seismic tests harm animals and show promise concerning a reserve, but end up being a dead end.
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