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What will the Mariner Energy platform explosion mean for the Gulf?
By Lauren | September 2, 2010
Just a couple of hours ago, the Coast Guard received word that a second oil rig has exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, not far from where the Deepwater Horizon rig exploded in April. According to The Wall Street Journal, the explosion injured one of thirteen workers on the rig, which is owned by Mariner Energy. There’s no report yet on whether the explosion will cause yet another oil leak.
Ordinarily, I don’t comment on breaking news because it’s so easy to go off in the wrong direction before all the facts are in. However, in this instance, a little speculation seems in order. If this new explosion leads to a second major leak, it’s all too likely to further complicate the already snarled situation in the Gulf. When there was only one spill to worry about, it was pretty clear that BP and its affiliates were responsible for cleaning up the oil and compensating injured parties. If this explosion creates a second spill, the question of “whose mess is it, anyway?” could easily be debated for years by clever lawyers and experts. And as long as that happens, it’ll probably be that much more difficult for people whose lives and businesses were destroyed by the first spill to get the relief they need - to say nothing of how much additional damage the Gulf ecosystem may suffer.
Obviously, there’s a lot more information to be gathered. This latest explosion may not be reflective of larger ethical lapses in the industry, but then again, a pattern may be emerging even as the Coast Guard races toward the second damaged rig. In the meanwhile, send good thoughts and prayers to Gulf of Mexico. The pelicans and people there are likely to need them.
Topics: Business Ethics, corporate responsibility, ethics |
September 2nd, 2010 at 5:57 pm
What will the Mariner Energy platform explosion mean for the Gulf ……
I found your entry interesting do I’ve added a Trackback to it on my weblog :)…
September 2nd, 2010 at 9:09 pm
This is just an incredible piece of news. I had thought that the only good that could come out of the Deepwater disaster would be that oil companies would learn from it. It’s so distressing to know that they seem to have learned nothing.