A 2007 report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) cites both “oil and gas exploration and production” and the development of coastal “pipelines and cables” as primary threats to the survival of coral reefs, including in the Gulf of Mexico.Another NRDC report states that the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill killed more than 1,000 sea turtles and 1 million offshore birds, in addition to contaminating 12 percent of bluefin tuna larvae.A 2009 report by the Natural Resources Defence Council (NRDC) states: “Marine mammals, sea birds, fish, shellfish, and other sea life are extremely vulnerable to oil pollution and the long-term toxic effects can impair reproductive success for generations.”.A 2019 article published in Frontiers describes how offshore oil drilling “discharges drill cuttings and drilling mud” that then get released into the ocean, “smothering the natural sediments” of the ocean, affecting marine habitats and, in turn, ocean biodiversity.In the 21st century, drilling has moved further into the ocean, threatening different kinds of deep-sea wildlife. The industrial exploitation of oil and gas resources in oceans began in 1897, when the first oil wells off the pier of Summerland, California produced crude oil. Since offshore oil drilling began, its potential negative effect on ocean ecosystems has concerned scientists.
![ocean on fire ocean on fire](https://uproxx.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/oceanonfire1024.jpg)
In 2020, Israel and Greece also agreed to build an underwater gas pipeline. Gas pipelines can also transport natural gas to consumers: For example, there is currently a dispute over the construction of a natural gas underwater pipeline that would allow gas in Russia to flow to Germany. Pipelines funnel fossil fuels from drilling platforms to onshore facilities on land, where crude material is refined and shipped. Natural gas and crude oil can be found in deposits under the sea bed, the result of ancient animals, plants, and microorganisms decomposing.īecause the fossil fuel deposits can be found offshore and deep under the ocean floor, there are offshore drilling rigs. The losing side of that risk means jeopardizing ocean life, and all that relies on it.Īn illustration of offshore oil drilling. An ocean on fire.ĭespite Pemex’s claim the leaked gas caused no damage, some environmental groups are skeptical, considering the lack of transparency in Mexico’s energy sector.īut ultimately, it should not be viewed as a freak accident, but as an inevitability: relying on underwater fossil fuel pipelines inherently means engaging in risk. During this hunt for answers, the image remains: ships dumping water and nitrogen on an inferno for five hours.
![ocean on fire ocean on fire](https://sambadenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/ocean-on-fire.jpg)
Now the company is investigating the cause of the pipeline leak. On Monday, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador announced the leak was contained, and Pemex claims there was “no oil spill and the immediate action taken to control the surface fire avoided environmental damage."
![ocean on fire ocean on fire](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/G0kp3LCRLxg/maxresdefault.jpg)
Despite the ocean fire, Pemex was awarded the Zama oil field by the Mexican government on Friday. What’s new - The pipeline is managed by Pemex, a state-owned petroleum company. On July 2, in the Gulf of Mexico, a gas leak from an underwater pipeline caused a firey ring to churn on the ocean’s surface.
![ocean on fire ocean on fire](https://get.pxhere.com/photo/sea-water-ocean-vehicle-fire-bonfire-explosion-flaming-boats-ships-flames-coast-guard-atmosphere-of-earth-geological-phenomenon-gas-flare-fireboats-putting-out-1356347.jpg)
The idea of Earth “on fire” is used as a metaphor for the climate crisis, but earlier this month, the ocean was literally ablaze.