Teas 1

Madison L. Teas Professor Stephen Mendonca ENGL 1301 22 May 2011 Drilling in the Gulf; Worth It? In both Kent Garbers, Eyeing the Oil Under the Gulf; Amid the debate over the offshore drilling, a reality check (published August 8, 2008) and in Bob Kefe, National Debate: Weighing Advances VS. Fear (published August 2,2008) the articles analyze the conflict on offshore oil drilling caused by the fluctuating gas prices. Although both articles have similar topics the tone, style and context that they were written set them apart. In Kent Garbers article, Eyeing the Oil Under the Gulf; Amid the debate over the offshore drilling, a reality check, Garber explores the debate over offshore oil drilling. Even though the leasing auction, in New Orleans, of 18 million acres in the Gulf of Mexico by the U.S government is a example of the amount of oil exploration occurring. Garber asserts the offshore oil drilling debate in Washington makes it seem like there is no activity occurring in the Gulf of Mexico. Two thirds of Americans would like more drilling as a result some politician have altered their views. The debate is not as cut and dry as politician lead on. Lacking the proper drilling equipment and the small effect of global oil price would leave the people disappointed. A great deal of our natural oil comes from the Gulf and with new technology permitting us to drill through more water oil companies want to be allowed to drill in the million of acres there. At the beginning of this 20th century many oil companies leases were inactive. Now there is a increase activity and demand for these leases because of new technology making drilling in deeper water more affordable. Even with more acres to drill on oil specialist say there

Teas 2

will be no significant change in U.S. oil production. This is because we lack the supplies and once we get these supplies it will still take over a decade for the oil to be produced. In his article National Debate: Weighing Advances VS. Fear , Bob Kefe (published August 2,2008) investigates different points of views on the offshore drilling debate. The environmental activist Charlie Eckberg, opposes offshore drilling after witnessing the worst environmental damages caused by drilling after the blow out at Union Oil Co.s in 1969. With new technology like automatic shutoff valves and advances in construction and directional drilling techniques supporters, like President Bush, argue its highly unlikely for a similar accident to occur. Kefe advocates this opinion with Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthrone statement. Kempthrone said with no major spills during the hurricanes proved new technology and techniques were working. Most Americans and many politicians as in Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, presidential candidate John McCain and Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue favor the lift of the ban by Congress. Bruce Bullock, who use to work for offshore oil business, says there is more risk for a tanker accident to occur than a drilling disaster. The opposers of offshore drilling argue spills still occur and offshore drilling is to risky. Some accidents involve offshore rigs and they consider the spills during hurricane Katrina to be major even though the Interior Department and others did not. Even though Garber and Kefe articles are both about offshore oil drilling, they use strikingly different tones to illustrate the issue. One difference between the two articles was in Eyeing the Oil Under the Gulf, Garber uses a objective database view where as in National Debate, Kefe while using a database view includes a subjective point of view from environmentalist. Garbers objective tone is seen by him writing only about facts and data without voicing his opinion. On the other hand, Kefe starts his article with a opinion from the environmental-

Teas 3

ist Charlie Eckbergs. Then continues with a mixture of opinions from other offshore oil drilling opposers and supporters. Although Kefe does include some facts and data like Graber did his article was more heavily weighted in those who are not in favor of offshore drilling. Making it more bias and much less objective opinion then Garbers article. Another dissimilarity between the two articles is the style the writers use. Garber writes Eyeing the Oil Under the Gulf, in a narrative style stating facts not opinions. Where as Kefe in National Debate, use a more editorial style. Garber narrated the facts where as Kefe listed the facts in bullet points. For example, Kefe listed new technology in techniques which make drilling safer as bullet points in his article. A third difference is both articles mention new technology and techniques for offshore oil drilling, but in different context. Kefe in National Debate, discusses new technology and techniques on the basis of safety. For example, Kefe article contains a illustration at the end that describes smart pigs, blow out preventers, doublehulled tankers, and ocean engineering rovers which all make offshore drilling safer. Garber unlike Kefe explores new technology and techniques on how its enabling oil companies to drill in the Gulf. I do not think oil platforms kill marine life like Eckbergs argues. Oil platforms do have risk but they also create beautiful coral reefs, which is one reason they attract so many fishermen. The U.S government is leasing acres to other countries anyways to drill in these waters so why can we not? I do agree we lack the supplies for drilling so there would be no significant change in oil production in the next decade. However, I think congress needs to lift the ban to allow the leasing of the millions of acres in the Gulf. By doing this it would prepare us for the future because we would now have a reason to start producing the resources we need to drill. This would not only create jobs for the U.S. but it would also in the long run increase our oil production.

Teas 4

Although Kent Garbers, Eyeing the Oil Under the Gulf; Amid the debate over the offshore drilling, a reality check and Bob Kefe, National Debate: Weighing Advances VS. Fear have a similar topic concerning offshore oil drilling the tone, style and context differentiate them. Garbers objective tone, narrative style based on data and facts lets the reader draw their own conclusion on the issues. Where as Kefe used a more subjective tone and editorial style causing reader to reflect on other points of views. Although there was the BP oil spill we should continue to drill for oil because we are dependent on it as a country.