Case in point as to why Pioneer Natural Resources’ Oooguruk oil production facility should be temporarily shutdown, until such time this Texas based corporation can prove to State of Alaska oversight police that they are indeed responsible and competent to explore and exploit natural resources on Alaska’s North Slope, in the Beaufort Sea:
Alaska Oil & Gas Conservation Commission inspects Pioneer Natural Resources well ODSK-35 on May 12, 2010 and instructs Pioneer field personnel to replace temporary piping that is allowing this well to produce crude oil. On May 18th, Commission requests timing for the above mentioned resolution. On May 27th, Pioneer requests a meeting to discuss the above mentioned inspection and the Commission’s attempt to have Pioneer come into compliance and fix problems. No meeting is ever scheduled by Pioneer, a No-Show! On June 9th, Commission again warns Pioneer that the use of “temporary piping” was inconsistent with “good oilfield practice” and a possible violation of Alaska statutes. Pioneer did not respond. On June 16th, the Commission once again inquired about status of the “temporary” well piping and Pioneer was verbally instructed to shut the wells in immediately. Pioneer did not comply! On June 18th, Pioneer asserted that it was a “good oilfield practice” to utilize temporary piping to produce crude oil for sale. Finally on June 22nd, the Commission through correspondence warned the following:
The Commission recognizes there have been unexpected conflicts that have prevented direct communication between appropriate personnel of the Commission and Pioneer. However, for over a month, Pioneer has clearly and repeatedly been instructed to correct the problem or shut in the well. Pioneer’s failure to resolve this matter constitutes serious non-compliance and must be resolved immediately. In accordance, Pioneer is instructed to shut-in both wells immediately.
The above scenario is clear-cut evidence that this state cannot trust the Independents. With “Drill Baby Drill” the Sarah Palin legacy, what she left for this state to deal with, it is now starting to show its ugliness and if not stopped will ruin the Beaufort Sea. If the regulators cannot even get Pioneer to shut down wells that are violating the state statutes, because of unsafe practices, then this state is doomed and we see that Sarah Palin’s “DBD” is a wrecking ball, just like her run for the vice! Like already mentioned, if the state oversight is in-effective it can have devastating effects, making such oversight a useless tool in efforts to keep the environment safe for future generations to come, without responsible oil development. Write your representative, in fact call your representative and demand that PNR’s Oooguruk development project located on Harrison Bay of the Colville River delta watershed be stopped through a “Cease and Desist” order until such time the state can be guaranteed that the so far no give a crap attitude is changed, as it is a privilege to work the “slope”, not just a free-for-all crap shoot wherein oversight is just a suggestion!
