Read more here

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/business/Ja-may-have-3-billion-barrels-of-oil_792 2092

If we think fishing is bad now, just wait. Pray for the turtles now too. How about it Real Big Man? Did you figure out the wind speed yet? We may need to outspeed Big Oil pronto!

the next hurricane will help us,to skip this project

Just rec'd my JPS bill- $4100 to run a small frig and lights for 1 person for 1 month. Where does all the oil come from that produces 99.9% of the energy used on the Island? Yes, I feel the same way, "not in my back yard". But who's back yard is going to supply the oil that we all use? Current technology produces high cost energy, but until the wells run dry we all decide where the next well will drilled. But, not in my back yard.

All I see is bad,if the town needs money, where it willcome from, tourist, work, but this talk will scare, so much nevative vives here and there. The negative forum

I continue to shake my head in wonder that any country that cares about its environment would allow offshore drilling. The horrible effects the US has experienced from the BP Gulf oil spill will be felt for decades. Meanwhile, the companies involved are pointing fingers at each other, with no one wanting to take the responsibility for their mistakes.

This morning another oil rig has exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, about 80 miles off the Louisiana border.

Invest in solar cells, inverter, battery control and deep cycle battery/ies.

While youre at it, get a solar water heater and set up collection and storage of water from your roof.

Cash tight, start small and build up.

Drilling for oil and being efficient with energy are two different things. Eavery person can do their best not to waste current. It is the GOVERNMENT who will put a favorable light on drilling for oil and they will go out of their way to tell people how it will be good for them. People in America are finally waking up to the horrors of having oil drilling off their coast. It would be good if Jamaica could learn some things from others mistakes.

No one thinks the BP oil spill was a good thing, but people are saying BP is making good on its promises to pay for the mess they created. I would like to point out the following from the New York Times:


BP Says Limits on Drilling Imperil Spill Payouts

BP is warning Congress that if lawmakers pass legislation that bars the company from getting new offshore drilling permits, it may not have the money to pay for all the damages caused by its oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

The company says a ban would also imperil the ambitious Gulf Coast restoration efforts that officials want the company to voluntarily support.


What this means is BP says unless the US allows them to start drilling new wells, they may not meet their promises.

Where I come from, this is called blackmail.

Last time I heard, the gasoline automobile was still the preferred means of transport. Since oil will be the major energy source for the auto for some time yet should we continue to purchase oil if there is a chance that we may be able to produce our own? What about electric power generation? If you could half your current bill would you say no? BTW, does anyone know how deep the areas around the Pedro banks are? I would think not as deep as the gulf of mexico but please correct me if I am wrong.

I doubt Jamaica would be able to produce its own oil. They will do as America does and allow PRIVATE companies to drill off their shores. This does not make for cheaper petrol in America. The reason it is cheaper is because the US government does not tax it as much as other countries do.
In other words, assuming there IS oil out there, do not expect your current bill to drop by one cent.

There's more treasure than oil in the Pedro Key's.
Still need oil to make solar panels and the likes of and the silica used in the cells is running out.
the push to invent new alternatives is amazing and very exciting (I will continue but my laptop is almost out of power, LOL)

Well at least it is in shallow water which makes things somewhat more manageable.

What kind of taxes do these big foreign outfits pay to Jamaica for the privileged of sucking up all their/our oil?

They do pay a lot of taxes to the Gov.of Jamaica,and also give jobs to locals, so there is some ganing from that.

If you believe any positive impact will come to Jamaica from drilling for oil you are smoking something that is way stronger than what Jamaica seems to be known for. Dream on brother. Be sure to ask the people of Falmouth how much benefit they get from what was done up there. None. Nada.

The Jamaican government raises taxes and what do you get? NOTHING. There is not even enough money to run the schools properly. Why do you think you might get something if they permitted oil drilling? You are probably too old to believe in Santa Claus or the Easter bunny.

IF oil drilling is allowed it will do nothing more than create another source of ruin to the environment.

I´m talking for I have seen, when Alpart was there, and how it is now, a lot of stores, restaurants, and jamaicans lost jobs, they pay the goverment of Jamaica taxes, if you can´t keep them from coming in, well hope for the best, that is all I´m saying, the same with the drilling, you can not stop progress, and they need to follow rules and regulations of the country they operate in. Many countries do not like ousiders to come in, but they do like their MONEY....

I'm sorry exp, but it's a stretch to use the words "Jamaican Government" with any combination of the words "rules and regulations". It's what my teacher would have called an oxyMORON. If the oil companies can do what they have done in the USA, imagine what they can do in a little Third World country like ours.

It it all about the "BIG BUCKS" for the "BIG WIGS".

The little people will still suffer.

[edited by TBNet]

Hope it will never happen there.