We're drilling all over the place???? U.S. oil production and rig counts have declined steadily over the last few decades. We produced more oil in the 50s and 60s than we do today. History of U.S. Oil Production
You miss the point entirely. everybody knows production is down. What LC said was that the government won't let operators drill in the lower 48 states . . . which is bullchit. Do you not agree? Here is the 2006 rig count in the US. We drill 1,988 places in 30 states, 29 of which are in the lower 48 and range from Pennnsyvania to California and from Texas to Montana. I think that qualifies as "all over the place". 2006 Rig Count by RigData
OK, we have 1988 rigs in the US. How old are most of those? Over 20 years I'll bet. Oil companies have not been drilling new wells in the lower 48 for some time. It's not profitable enough for the expense. That's not bullchit.
Somebody got called on their stupid statements. I'll bet you 90% of those 1988 rigs are over 20 years old. Most over 30. You act like new rigs are popping up all over the place and they aren't.
I believe drilling is very limited compared to what is was before the mid-80s. That's why we have fewer rigs today than we had in the 70s and 80s. Environmentalists have been very successful at getting the government to limit where oil companies can drill. The can't expand drilling off the California and Florida coasts. Can't touch parts of the gulf of mexico. You think oil companies choose not to drill in these areas? Tree huggers and state governments are fighting oil companies from drilling in their backyard. Here's an old article about the state of California blocking the renewal of oil leases off their coast ... California Blocks Oil Drilling
At least 5 rigs have gone up in and around Houma in the last year. Several more have gone up in the marshes. These are new rigs. Admittedly, I know at least one of them is for natural gas.
Then prove it with some source data, wise guy. You can't. There are new wells being drilled as we speak. You never back up any of your wild claims with real information. You stated that the "government" prevented new oil wells being drilled in the lower 48 states for the last 30 years. Well, I'm calling BS on that and I cited statistics that suggest otherwise. Either prove it or admit you made it up. No, you'll just come back with the same repeated statement and call anybody that disagrees a commie or something.
I'd be fighting to keep oil out of my backyard too. The oil companies are resposible for subsidence, salt water intrusion, erosion, and habitat loss. If the oil companies would have been better stewards of the land they used in places like the Barataria and Terrebone estuaries, you would not see such fierce opposition.
You evaded the question. I never stated that drilling wasn't down. Of course it is because reserves are declining. What I asked was . . . are you agreeing with LC that "our own government has already limited supply for the last 30 years by not allowing drilling for new oil in the lower 48"? I say he is wrong. Are you backing him up or not?
I agree wholeheartedly with this. I'm not going to blame 'environmentalism' for the record price of crude oil, or the insane 'pump price'. These locales that are preventing drilling are learning from the mistakes of others, and are thinking long-term (something Louisiana is seemingly allergic to).
