Cuba Drills For Oil Off Florida

Rickster71

Rickster71

Audioholic Spartan
Hello all,
This looks much more attractive, now that gas is $4 a gallon.

July 24, 2006

CUBA DRILLS FOR OIL OFF FLORIDA

Cuba is drilling for oil 60 miles off the coast of Florida with help from China, Canada and Spain even as Congress struggles to end years of deadlock over drilling for what could be a treasure trove of offshore oil and gas.

Republicans in Congress have tried repeatedly in the past decade to open up the outer continental shelf to exploration, and Florida's waters hold some of the most promising prospects for major energy finds. Their efforts have been frustrated by opposition from Florida, California and environmental-minded legislators from both parties.

Florida's powerful tourism and booming real estate industries fear that oil spills could cost them business. Lawmakers from the state are so adamantly opposed to drilling that they have bid to extend the national ban on drilling activity from 100 miles to as far as 250 miles offshore, encompassing the island of Cuba. Cuba is exploring in its half of the 90-mile-wide Straits of Florida within the internationally recognized boundary as well as in deep-water areas of the Gulf of Mexico; the impoverished communist nation is eager to receive any economic boost that would come from a major oil find. According to Sterling Burnett, a senior fellow at the National Center for Policy Analysis, Cuba's activities show that the quarter-century ban on offshore drilling is putting the United States at a strategic disadvantage at a time of increasingly scarce energy resources and record high oil and gas prices that are hampering economic growth and stoking inflation.

Cuba, he says, is moving forward with plans to drill in offshore areas that abut U.S. coastal waters. Since pools of oil do not respect international boundaries, it is almost certainly true that Cuba will be accessing oil that could otherwise be developed by and for the benefit of Americans.

Source: Patrice Hill, "Cuba drills for oil off Florida," Washington Times, July 24, 2006.
 
J

jamie2112

Banned
Well that is pretty lame, for us paying 4 bucks a gallon: that sucks
 
R

rnatalli

Audioholic Ninja
According to Sterling Burnett, a senior fellow at the National Center for Policy Analysis, Cuba's activities show that the quarter-century ban on offshore drilling is putting the United States at a strategic disadvantage at a time of increasingly scarce energy resources and record high oil and gas prices that are hampering economic growth and stoking inflation.


I disagree and here's my logic. Even at current prices, the US enjoys some of the lowest gas prices around the globe. We're able to negotiate, bully, etc... other countries to receive cheap oil. Once we're done sucking up other countries' oil at discount prices, we'll drill our own and sell it for a hefty premium. By then, we'll hopefully have our oil addiction under control. There are and will continue to be plenty of developing countries that will need oil and will pay through the nose for it.

$4 per gallon for gas isn't terrible. Imagine if cars ran on Gatorade or something.
 
Pyrrho

Pyrrho

Audioholic Ninja
I disagree and here's my logic. Even at current prices, the US enjoys some of the lowest gas prices around the globe. We're able to negotiate, bully, etc... other countries to receive cheap oil. Once we're done sucking up other countries' oil at discount prices, we'll drill our own and sell it for a hefty premium. By then, we'll hopefully have our oil addiction under control. There are and will continue to be plenty of developing countries that will need oil and will pay through the nose for it.

$4 per gallon for gas isn't terrible. Imagine if cars ran on Gatorade or something.
I agree with you except for one thing: Very probably, the U.S. will not sell its oil to others, and will keep it for domestic consumption. The U.S. is unlikely to end its addiction to oil until there is no more oil anywhere to be found.
 
R

rnatalli

Audioholic Ninja
I agree with you except for one thing: Very probably, the U.S. will not sell its oil to others, and will keep it for domestic consumption. The U.S. is unlikely to end its addiction to oil until there is no more oil anywhere to be found.
Most likely which is why I said hopefully as I agree with you that it's unlikely.
 
Shadow_Ferret

Shadow_Ferret

Audioholic Chief
So... because we have some silly rules set up about off-shore drilling, we're going to allow Cuba to become the newest member of OPEC and gouge us with prices when we have the availability of cheap oil right off our own shores.

Makes sense to me.
 
Halon451

Halon451

Audioholic Samurai
Well, once again - the fools in charge of this circus (government) are content with trailing the pack and watching the rest of the world actually work to do something about their energy and oil issues.

The US has an addiction to oil? Do I mean to take that as the US alone has an addiction to oil? Last time I checked, just about every country on earth that utilizes internal combustion engines for automotive use are dependent on the substance. Yet here again, is a prime example to label us alone as the big bad guy on the block. $4/gal is not the big scare by the way, it's the $12/gal that some forecast by the year 2010 if things don't turn around. I can live with $4/gal - I won't like it one bit, but I can manage. $12/gal and a continued weakening of the dollar against the global market, and we're headed for big time trouble. OPEC has us by the proverbial balls, and yet we're the bully? How exactly is that?

My bet is that when that happens most of you will be literally screaming to drill any freaking where we can to bring it under control. I'd bet my next ten paychecks and a year's worth of gas on it. ;)
 
R

rnatalli

Audioholic Ninja
My bet is that when that happens most of you will be literally screaming to drill any freaking where we can to bring it under control. I'd bet my next ten paychecks and a year's worth of gas on it. ;)
$4 per gallon is nowhere near what others have to pay for gas. We're getting a deal in this country. People are just big babies. They can crank the cost to $12/gallon for all I care. If people can't afford higher prices for gas and everything else that goes with it, that's just too bad. I've always felt that we should move forward as a society, but lately I'm of the mind of every man for himself which is why I'll probably vote republican this time around.
 
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Pyrrho

Pyrrho

Audioholic Ninja
Well, once again - the fools in charge of this circus (government) are content with trailing the pack and watching the rest of the world actually work to do something about their energy and oil issues.

The US has an addiction to oil? Do I mean to take that as the US alone has an addiction to oil? Last time I checked, just about every country on earth that utilizes internal combustion engines for automotive use are dependent on the substance.

There is a difference between being a user and being an addict. I doubt you will find any other country in the world where it is common for people to drive alone to work in a huge gas guzzling SUV. How much gas, per person, does the U.S. use, and how does this compare with people in other countries?


Yet here again, is a prime example to label us alone as the big bad guy on the block. $4/gal is not the big scare by the way, it's the $12/gal that some forecast by the year 2010 if things don't turn around. I can live with $4/gal - I won't like it one bit, but I can manage. $12/gal and a continued weakening of the dollar against the global market, and we're headed for big time trouble. OPEC has us by the proverbial balls, and yet we're the bully? How exactly is that?

And tell us, whose fault is it that Americans burn gas like there is no tomorrow? Does OPEC make us buy huge, low mileage vehicles? Are they stopping us from using more electric cars? Are they stopping us from using buses and trains and other more efficient ways of travel?


My bet is that when that happens most of you will be literally screaming to drill any freaking where we can to bring it under control. I'd bet my next ten paychecks and a year's worth of gas on it. ;)

I imagine that there will be some crybabies screaming for drilling anywhere and everywhere for oil when the prices go up to $12/gallon. There are enough who do that now.

The thing is, no matter how much drilling we do, there is a finite amount of oil in the world, and so it is wise to see if we can use less of it sooner rather than later. It is best if we can ease ourselves off it in favor of alternatives, rather than to eventually be forced to use other things because we run out of it.
 
unreal.freak

unreal.freak

Senior Audioholic
$4 per gallon is nowhere near what others have to pay for gas. We're getting a deal in this country. People are just big babies. They can crank the cost to $12/gallon for all I care. If people can't afford higher prices for gas and everything else that goes with it, that's just too bad. I've always felt that we should move forward as a society, but lately I'm of the mind of every man for himself which is why I'll probably vote republican this time around.
How do you figure we are babies? I dont like spending more for fuel, just like everyone else. I wouldnt mind the higher prices if i had the peace of mind knowing that this countries government was using some of that money to develope more fuel efficient automobiles or constructing oil refineries. I dont think comparing the price per gallon in the U.S. to other countries price per gallon is a good comparison. You would need to take the whole economy of another country into consideration before you sa we are getting such a great deal on fuel.

Peace,
Tommy
 
R

rnatalli

Audioholic Ninja
How do you figure we are babies? I dont like spending more for fuel, just like everyone else. I wouldnt mind the higher prices if i had the peace of mind knowing that this countries government was using some of that money to develope more fuel efficient automobiles or constructing oil refineries.
Americans always expect things to be right and complain when they aren't. Most of the world expects the worst and is pleasantly surprised when things go right. We have tons to be thankful in this country, yet people still cry about everything. We pop pills and see shrinks for the dumbest things and make mountains out of molehills. Some people should go live in places like the Sudan for a few months and see how they do. As for the higher gas prices, to quote from The Departed, "make more money, this is America."
 
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unreal.freak

unreal.freak

Senior Audioholic
Americans always expect things to be right and complain when they aren't. Most of the world expects the worst and is pleasantly surprised when things go right. We have tons to be thankful in this country, yet people still cry about everything. We pop pills and see shrinks for the dumbest things and make mountains out of molehills. Some people should go live in places like the Sudan for a few months and see how they do. As for the higher gas prices, to quote from The Departed, "make more money, this is America."
Im not disputing this countries blessings, but to make a quote "Make more money, this is America" Is narrow minded in my opinion. The solution to the problem isnt throwing more money at a fuel supply that is bad for the enviornment. Lets take some of the money that is being earned from oil and figure out something new and more earth friendly. Better on the wallet couldnt hurt any either. I wouldnt live in any other country unless i was forced to. The U.S.A is by far the best i know of. Im happy here, high gas prices and all!

Peace,
Tommy
 
R

rnatalli

Audioholic Ninja
The solution to the problem isnt throwing more money at a fuel supply that is bad for the enviornment. Lets take some of the money that is being earned from oil and figure out something new and more earth friendly.
I don't disagree with you, but it all starts with the people. Until people stop spending beyond their means and buying cars that guzzle gas, there's little the oil companies or the government will do. I've become cynical recently in that I don't care what happens as I will adapt. I've gone from enlightened to selfish.
 
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MinusTheBear

MinusTheBear

Audioholic Ninja
The cost of gasoline in VENEZUELA $0.14 USD/Gallon. Would I want to live there, probably not.

As consumers we have choices. I understand gasoline is in-elastic in demand, however it is foolish not to make different consumption choices(cutting back on non-essential goods) if gasoline is taking a hit on your income.
 
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Halon451

Halon451

Audioholic Samurai
There is a difference between being a user and being an addict. I doubt you will find any other country in the world where it is common for people to drive alone to work in a huge gas guzzling SUV. How much gas, per person, does the U.S. use, and how does this compare with people in other countries?
I guess maybe you've been living in a bubble, so I'll forgive you. You might want to visit some of the other countries in the world before you make such a statement - I can tell you the places I've been to in the world, traffic congestion is just as bad if not worse than most major cities in the US. Not only that but SUV's are being sold worldwide, not just here. And in case you haven't noticed there has been a steady rush of people in the US trying to dump their SUV's, but can't because the market is flooded with surplus inventory on account of nobody wanting to buy them and/or trading them in for more fuel efficient cars.

I imagine that there will be some crybabies screaming for drilling anywhere and everywhere for oil when the prices go up to $12/gallon. There are enough who do that now.
Crybabies... maybe you're one of the lucky ones who will not be affected by a $12/gal fuel price, congratulations. But you might want to use that money to invest in a good security system, or a gun, because all hell will break loose when this happens. We're seeing an exponential rise in prices at the pump that are far outdistancing the inflation index, meaning this isn't the difference between seeing $2/gal a few years ago and $4/gal today - this is an increase of epic proportions - consider $144 to fill a standard 12 gallon tank? Trouble, either way you slice it.

The thing is, no matter how much drilling we do, there is a finite amount of oil in the world, and so it is wise to see if we can use less of it sooner rather than later. It is best if we can ease ourselves off it in favor of alternatives, rather than to eventually be forced to use other things because we run out of it.
How do you propose we do that and not have a huge impact on our welfare as a society? Ethanol has proven itself to be a grossly inadequate solution - not only does it take more energy to produce than it actually yields, but competing with our own food supply has driven prices up at the grocery store, now it's hitting us in two places. Sell our SUV's? Oh, we covered that already. Walk to work? How practical is that for most of us? Let me know - or better yet, let the world know, you could be a very famous man. :)

Listen, as soon as something comes out that is viable, I'm 100% on board. I hate the fact that we're dependent on oil - and yes, it is a finite resource, but it's one of the only ones we've got that can keep ourselves running until the hydrogen or electric cars become practical. All I'm asking is what are we to do in the meantime, shut everything down and wait for the technology to catch up to us?
 
Halon451

Halon451

Audioholic Samurai
Americans always expect things to be right and complain when they aren't. Most of the world expects the worst and is pleasantly surprised when things go right. We have tons to be thankful in this country, yet people still cry about everything. We pop pills and see shrinks for the dumbest things and make mountains out of molehills. Some people should go live in places like the Sudan for a few months and see how they do. As for the higher gas prices, to quote from The Departed, "make more money, this is America."
I can't disagree with that, for the most part - yes, people do whine too much, but we're on the cusp of a real, no-sh*t problem that, if isn't corrected by our own means, and by our own resources, I truly fear the outcome.
 
Halon451

Halon451

Audioholic Samurai
As consumers we have choices. I understand gasoline is in-elastic in demand, however it is foolish not to make different consumption choices(cutting back on non-essential goods) if gasoline is taking a hit on your income.
At $12/gal by 2010, gasoline won't be simply taking a hit on most people's incomes, it will be consuming it. Simply cutting back on non-essentials will not work for these people - they will be forced to start cutting into the essentials, and the bitter irony is they will still have to keep paying for that gas, because without it, they lose their jobs, then what?
 
mtrycrafts

mtrycrafts

Seriously, I have no life.
I disagree and here's my logic. Even at current prices, the US enjoys some of the lowest gas prices around the globe. .
Except that in those high cost countries, it is the the internal TAX on gas that drives up their prices, not the cost of the barrel of oil.
 
Tomorrow

Tomorrow

Audioholic Ninja
There is a difference between being a user and being an addict. I doubt you will find any other country in the world where it is common for people to drive alone to work in a huge gas guzzling SUV. How much gas, per person, does the U.S. use, and how does this compare with people in other countries?

And tell us, whose fault is it that Americans burn gas like there is no tomorrow?
Sure there is. Venezuela, where a gallon of gas costs 12 cents, has people guzzling like winos on a good Friday night.

And since when is there no Tomorrow? :D
 

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