So you believe we could not possibly have a leak or some unexpected accident due to human error?
Never said that, again you try and twist everything.
What I deal in are facts, and not fear and emotion. Every single day Belize produces 5,000 barrels of crude oil. The vast majority of this leaves Big Creek by tanker, sails through the reef and goes off to be refined. Also Belize every single day uses 5,000 barrels of refined oil products (immeasurably more damaging than crude due to additives) and imports all of these by tanker. Given that is an indisputable fact that the overwhelming majority of oil spills worldwide are from oil transport why is not the focus of your protestation on something that is likely to happen, and be immeasurably more damaging, than something that has a miniscule chance of becoming reality??
Oil drilling has never in the past damaged Belize's reefs, yet every year there are multiple occasions of boats running aground, and oil being spilled directly on the reef. Please answer me one question. Based upon the evidence, what do you believe to be more dangerous.
1. Oil being transported in Belizean waters.
2. A drilling rig that pokes a hole (outside the reef) and doesn't find anything
3. A drilling rig that pokes a hole outside the reef and finds oil.
The problem is only one incident would potentially cause catastrophic results. Unfortunately we cannt control everything, especially in our ever changing environment. The fact is about the only people who are in favor of this are those who stand to profit.
If one incident will cause catastrophic results, why do you not protest about oil tankers and the day to day spills from boats and drains that pump pollutants into the sea? Why focus on a non problem?
I agree with you that the only people who favour this are those who profit, such as the Belizean government and the Belizean people amongst others.
Yes I would certainly consider my $50M is that being offered to us all? We would use it to surround all rigs with layers of protection for our environment. Maybe you could just get them to give the money to build our highway.
OK, so now I know where you stand, it is just a question of money
You are very hollow and transparent as all know. You originally said you were working for no one in Belize, just more oil company double talk as you obviously have a dog in this fight. Beating a conservationists rhythm on the head of an oil drum is just not very convincing.
I give my opinion to decision makers when it is asked for. I have never been paid anything for this, nor do I expect to be paid for giving my opinion. Nor have I received anything such as favours or goods in kind from any entity or person in the Belizean government, any oil company with interests in Belize, or any environmental group for anything I have done, supplied or said.
Do not try and portray me as some paid mouthpiece. I reject your accusation of hollowness, but I am totally transparent.
I would also accuse you of misreporting and misrepresentation of what I say, as well as constantly trying to denigrate me when you have shallow and incomplete research. I have been in my field for over 35 years, and know what I am talking about. You are making ill informed comment after a few days of using Google.
Who do you work for? What is your interest in offshore drilling in Belize? Do you really think that you will have the slightest effect on what path the gov takes, what kind of equipment etc?
Mike, you know exactly who I work for. I have told you, and you also published it in these forums. I work for Welltech Group LLC. This is an independent energy consultancy who advises both energy companies and governments.
Yes, I have had, and will continue to think I can have an effect on what path the government of Belize takes, and what equipment is ultimately used.
Maybe the oil companies can try to intimidate the govt but not the people of Belize who may have more clout than you think. Belize is not like most places. Quite often money changes hands and then nothing happens they just take the money and still do as they please. We have a very interesting country.
Now you see, there you are letting your emotions cloud your judgement again. No oil company has intimidated the government. BNE tried to do it by threatening to pull out if the government raised royalties on oil. The government held fast and BNE now pays more royalties. Your jingoistic rhetoric is wasted on me. I know exactly what Belize is like.
Our small size puts politics on a more personal level, we know everyone, their relatives and where they live, True for everybody. You cannt escape your political decisions in this country. Everyone will know what happened and socially that kind of thing can be very embarrassing and they follow you for years being politics is our national sport. In our country private sector is stronger than public sector. We routinely make the govt change its laws, not as much as we wish but we are all heard here. If they dont listen they pay the political price which is the very most important thing to them, not economy or ecology or anything except their political skins. If you really believe it cannt happen here you are a fool sir.
More rhetoric. It is not me who is the fool here
Your oil company double speak is getting boring, do you have any original thoughts?
Two things. If this all bores you, then please do not bother continuing this debate. The other slur about original thought is a bit rich? You do a little searching on Google, misrepresent what you are told, and suddenly you are an expert. Here is an original thought... Stop talking out of your arse, and stop trying to bully me into submission.