The Return of Drilling and Risk of Injury

January 20th, 2012

The return of drilling to the Gulf is, to say the least, controversial. Gulf drilling has environmental, economic and health and safety implications. Organizations such as the National Academy of Engineering warn that technological and regulatory safety measures are not up to par to prevent another catastrophe. A myriad of environmental organizations warn that drilling in the Gulf endangers the purity of our water and threatens thousands of species.

On the other hand, world demand for oil continues to rise and the Gulf is a prime spot for drilling. Gulf production of oil could help to decrease the U.S. reliance on foreign oil, as well as provide jobs for American seamen, who suffered after the 2010 BP disaster.

The third component of drilling is the inherent danger. After the deaths suffered during the BP disaster, oilrig workers and their families were faced with a very real example of the known dangers of the industry. In addition to major issues like the BP spill, there are countless ways for workers to become injured while at sea.

Due to the unique nature of at-sea laws, as well as the potential life-long disability of injuries, oilrig workers who are injured or the families of those killed should seek experienced representation by attorneys. The maritime lawyers of Lamothe Lea Aertker LLC are skilled Louisiana maritime attorneys who are determined to defend the rights of local oilrig victims as drilling returns to the Gulf.

Shell Oilrig Perdido Draws Attention from Advocates and Critics

No matter what side of the energy fence you occupy, all eyes are on the Gulf. There are numerous rigs drilling, but one project is currently dominating the news. The Shell rig Perdido (Perdido means “lost” in Spanish) sits in the middle of nowhere and at the very center of a hotbed of controversy.

Perdido is special in that it pushes the limits of Gulf drilling during a time when the memory of the BP disaster is still very fresh. The issue is far from simple with valid points on both sides:

Pros

• Perdido could potentially access enough oil and natural gas to fill U.S. demand for 2 years.
• Shell estimates that Perdido may produce oil for decades, drawing oil from 35 wells within a 30-mile radius of the main rig.
• Perdido will, therefore, help to decrease U.S. demand for foreign oil.
• The deep-water oilrig demonstrates the feasibility of technology that makes the whole Gulf accessible to excavation.
• The project provides employment, directly and indirectly, for hundreds of maritime workers.

Cons

• The well that is associated with the Perdido rig begins 9,627 feet below the surface of the ocean. While technologically impressive, if something goes wrong the depth makes emergency response far more difficult.
• A spill would jeopardize thousands of occupations and livelihoods as well as thousands of species, all of which are still struggling to recover after the 2010 BP oil spill.

Louisiana Seamen Go Back to Work

The BP oil spill impacted thousands of Louisiana residents, leaving them unemployed, their valuable skills in drilling, fishing and tourism all of a sudden unmarketable. Nearly two years after the 2010 disaster, those workers are finally back in demand as clean up and restoration efforts render Gulf seafood and beaches once again safe. Along with fishermen and tourism employees, oilrig workers are also back to work. Close to 40 rigs have returned to the Gulf of Mexico. Whether you are for or against oil rig efforts, the jobs created are a boon to those who depend on offshore work to feed their families.

Contact Us

If you or someone you know has been injured during offshore work or if you are still suffering from the BP Oil spill contact our knowledgeable attorneys at Lamothe Lea Aertker, LLC, today online or by phone at 877-249-6801 to find out if you are eligible for compensation. We offer a free consultation during which we will discuss your legal rights and options.

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