CNN: 'Huge' Russian pipeline oil spill

[DeepModem Mom]

'Huge' Russian pipeline oil spill
Monday, July 31, 2006

MOSCOW, Russia (CNN) -- Russian officials said Monday there had been a "huge" oil spill in an export pipeline in the Byransk region, which is near Russia's western border with Ukraine and Belarus.

Oleg Mitvol, deputy chief of the Federal Service for Supervision of Natural Resources, said the oil spill was "huge," affecting a 10-square kilometer (6 mile) area. He said more than 50 cubic meters of oil had been spilled.

Mitvol added that he was on his way to the affected area, and that rescue teams were already there. He also said that there was no immediate danger to people living in the affected area.

"Judging by information reaching the ministry from representatives of environmental organizations ... the consequences of the accident may be an environmental catastrophe in the region," a statement Natural Resources Ministry quoted by The Associated Press said....

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/07/31/russia.oilspill/index.html

[NewJeffCT]

1. Another excuse for them to raise gas prices

But, it's understandable given how tough ExxonMobil has had it under the Bush Regime.

[KKKarl is an idiot]

2. Oil is killing us

We spend so much money defending it's free flow. It is the major cause of global warming. We have less money this summer because of the need for it. Conflicts have come, gone & will come over this commodity. It funds terrorists. When it spills it causes an environmental mess. It is time to look at alternative fuels. I believe oil has served its purpose in world development lets leave it to rest in the ground.

[wtmusic]

3. 43 metric tonnes vs. 10,000 spilled in the Mediterranean by Israeli bombs

Wonder why CNN considers this a story? :shrug:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060729/wl_mideast_afp/mideastconflictlebanonenvironment_060729120853;_ylt=Ar4385rwaVoeBLXioVNlr2sUvioA;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl

[Xipe Totec]

4. 50 cubic meters? That can't be right

A cubic meter is 1,000 liters, 159 liters equals one barrel, so 50 cubic meters is only 315 barrels of oil, not enough to cover 10 square kilometers or area.

Could they mean a cube 50 meters on the side?

That would be 125,000 cubic meters, or 786,000 barrels of oil.

Worth about $55 million dollars.

[BrotherBuzz]

9. Agree, I was thrown by that number as well...

although I question your 50 meters cubed suggeation as being a little unconventional. I'm more inclined to believe they might have droped or shifted a decimal point in the report. 500 cubic meters of spilled oil could make one heck of a mess, 5000 even more, no?, :shrug:

[Massachusetts]

5. "may be an environmental catastrophe in the region,"

Its those pesky humans again said one cockroach to the other.

[Doctor_J]

6. I'm beginning to think we might be in the twilight of Planet Earth

This shit's piling up really, really fast. Wars everywhere, man-made environmental disasters, droughts, hurricanes, and George W Bush add up to something akin to the Great Flood. It'll be kind of fun to watch, I guess, but could have been prevented just by letting the votes in Florida be counted.

[halobeam]

7. I know what you mean.

I'm celebrating my kids 11th bday today. I'm going to take "memory pics"... every minute counts, at least we can be wise to enjoy what joys there are in life. VERY IMPORTANT. Otherwise, depression can wave it's ugly hopeless face at us.

Don't mean it to sound like I'm throwing in the towel.... I'm NOT. But taking breaks to enjoy what you have, is essential, and I think it would be foolish of people to throw their moments away.

[juajen]

8. Google "The Secret"

It made me feel better, and I'm determined to picture our earth pristine and thriving in all quarters once again. I pray for change and imagine it so constantly, but if it doesn't come, it will not be for lack of trying on my part and so many others on DU.

Come on people, let's begin imagining just as the brilliant John Lennon wrote.

BTW, can someone find me the link to Big Dawg singing this song with the beautiful singer and the children of the ME? I lost it, and would certainly like to get it back. It is marvelous.