Comments on: The real contamination of New Mexico

By: otis

otis — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 02:12:27 +0000

Nope. Mr.Swickard is wrong regarding the effect of pit rules. There may be a sliver of wildcatters or production companies that would be swayed by the added cost of the pit rule. Not many. If the price of oil is up, we drill. If it goes too far down, we stack rigs. It isn’t much more complicated. If you want to get an idea of drilling activity in the state or country just read the daily, weekly, monthly and yearly “rig count” reports. You will note that drilling activity is up in New Mexico by two rigs to 70 according to the Baker-Hughes rig count. It shows that the rig count is up in New Mexico and in the country as a whole. http://investor.shareholder.com/bhi/rig_counts/rc_index.cfm If what Mr.Swickard claims about pit rules were true, these numbers for New Mexico would not be up. They are up because the returns to companies for exploration, drilling, completion, production, refining and retails sales is up. Ask any person in the oil industry if they will be drilling when the price of crude goes up. The answer is always “yep”.

By: Hemingway

Hemingway — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 22:06:25 +0000

There is NO way that there will be a New Mexico-specific greenhouse gas cap-and-trade plan. It is too complicated! We need to concentrate on present matters.

The pit rule is absolutely necessary to protect our shrinking water resources in New Mexico from contamination!

By: Dr. J

Dr. J — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 21:30:25 +0000

If any of you think change is not coming to regs in NM, including the pit rule, you should read what Ms. Denish says here:
http://www.dianedenish.com/news/articles?id=0060
She says, among other things: “Everyone can agree that our state’s economy depends heavily on oil and gas production, so we need a balanced approach to stay competitive with our neighbors. That’s why I also support revisiting the pit rule and I believe the Environmental Improvement Board must not only be passionate stewards of the environment, but also mindful of the potential economic impact of its regulations.” And: ” I strongly urge the Environment Department to reconsider moving forward with cap-and-trade at this time”.

Of course you all already know what Ms. Martinez thinks about the pit rule and cap and trade. So change in these thing is coming, no matter who is our new Guv. Live with it. And there is no oil company on earth that would say the pit rule has no impact on their decisions to drill in NM vs. the neighboring states. So when the pit rule is “revisited” under Ms. Denish for instance, what do you think they will say about its’ effect on NM’s competitiveness and business environment?

By: Hemingway

Hemingway — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 19:21:38 +0000

This was just reported today. Concho Resources Inc. signed a definitive agreement to acquire all the oil and gas assets of Marbob Energy Corp. Timothy Leach, Concho’s chairman, CEO and president, said, “After closing, we plan to increase the activity level and rig count on these acquired properties (in New Mexico), which should result in significant production growth over the next several years.” Again the pit rule is not relevant! See story below!!!!!

http://www.rttnews.com/Content/BreakingNews.aspx?Id=1364322&SM=1

By: www.socorronews.com

www.socorronews.com — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 19:10:14 +0000

The thing that’s nice about being a professional spin doctor (read: professional liar) is that facts are irrelevant, so long as you can turn a quick buck. The oil and gas industry – and their frequently paid mouthpieces – have, since time immemorial, promised us that the disasters they’ve inflicted on the public are “things of the past”.

Corporate apologists and paid mouthpieces always claim, “sure, we’ve had problems in the past, but with modern technology those things are now impossible.” Exxon promised us that prior to the Valdez (which still has not been cleaned up – because Exxon lacks the will and, frankly, Exxon – or anyone – lacks the expertise; it’s simply impossible to clean these things up). BP (and others) promised us that deep water drilling was “perfectly safe”, until facts once again proved otherwise. Texaco and Chevron promised the folks in the South American jungles similar pledges of “harmless” activity, all the while the cancer rates there skyrocket. Remember the promises of the Nuclear industry (Chernobyl, Three Mile Island, et. al.)? Similar spin. Same facts. Spin cannot change facts, no matter how many blogs someone writes. But thanks for playing.

To paraphrase Shakespeare, “methinks they doth protesteth too much.” When you can’t argue with facts, argue with promises. You can’t refute a promise, because it’s always “manana”. Tomorrow, tomorrow, I luv ya, tomorrow, you’re always a day away.

By: Hemingway

Hemingway — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 20:41:26 +0000

Read the Apache Corporation website on oil rig expansion in New Mexico

http://www.apachecorp.com/explore/Browse_Archives/View_Article.aspx?Article.ItemID=978

Oil prices not the pit rule determine the viability of an oil company business – basic economics.

By: Michael Swickard, Ph.D.

Michael Swickard, Ph.D. — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 19:37:00 +0000

Hemingway writes: “Apache Corporation is planning to build a hundred rigs ” So, how many would they have built if we had a better business climate? Announcements aside, are you sure they are really going to build those rigs? What will the price of oil have to be for them to drill? The pit rule is just one of several things that increase or decrease drilling. And, a very important question since we really need the money – like renewable energy are they drilling for the tax incentives rather than the oil? The tax incentive cost the state money, they do not support the public schools.

I have friends who have worked the rigs all of their adult lives… the rigs are leaving for better pickings. That is a fact. Good riddance perhaps but what are you going to use to fully fund the public schools? Will you close every school in New Mexico rather than drill the Otero Mesa or relax the rules of drilling?

I know what contamination does, I am a downwinder victim – cancer survivor – read more here: http://www.alamogordonews.com/ci_15518953

By: Hemingway

Hemingway — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 17:48:01 +0000

If we are not careful we will end up like Martha Kentucky and its Martha oil field caused by Ashland Corporation’s wreck less drilling practices.

New Mexico’s pit rule is a necessary safeguard to protect our most important resource – WATER.

We certainly don’t want to be singing a variation of this Kentucky song on Martha Oil Field.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NB0MPvDWGw

By: Hemingway

Hemingway — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 17:28:27 +0000

Mr. Swickard, PHD is obviously not aware that Apache Corporation is planning to build a hundred rigs in New Mexico despite the excellent pit rule!

By: enviroman

enviroman — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 17:23:10 +0000

Well put! We must be sensible in our decisions and not let “emotion science” overcome real science in our pursuit of what is in the best interest of all New Mexicans. There has to be give and take for this to happen.