Gulf Gas for Dummies

[julialnyc]

I know I should probably know this, but why do we need to refine our gas (or oil) that we accumulate from the middle east in the gulf coast region.Is there something about the soil that lead us to refine in natures way?

[incapsulated]

1. It's because of american oil

From the rigs in the gulf. It's a quick trip from the gulf to the gulf coast.

Obviously, it's also in a very dangerous place.

[incapsulated]

4. Forgot to add..

Only 20 percent of the refineries are on the gulf coast (I believe that's what I heard). But major pipelines come from there to feed the rest of the country.

[Nevernose]

2. Misread original post

Sorry

[Nevernose]

3. Quickest way to most of America

Houston, for instance, is the fourth busiest port in the entire world.

[A HERETIC I AM]

7. Actually, Houston ranks 6th or lower

http://geography.about.com/cs/transportation/a/aa061603.htm

South Louisiana ranks higher based on Volume.

did a few searches and it was either 6th, 7th or eighth, depending on commodity/method (Containers, Bulk, etc)

I think much of the reason that area has so many refineries is because of the Texas oil industry to start with.

Plenty of Refineries in California too, as well as New Jersey (Old PA. oilfields) and Chicago/north IL. and North IN.

[Nevernose]

10. Okay, in the sixth grade it was the 4th busiest port

Of course, it's been awhile since the sixth grade.

But still, the sixth, seventh, or eight busiest port in the world is still pretty damned busy.

By the way, I just spoke to my chemical engineer step-father an hour or two ago: he assures me that there are far more refineries in Port Arthur, and although the hurricane shifting North is better for my friends and family, it is fatr worse for the nation as a whole.

Then again, he still thinks * has been good for gas prices for the consumer...

[KharmaTrain]

5. Supertankers

You can't run those babies up your local harbor or bay...they need a lot of room to manuever. The Gulf coast is both deep and the most direct route from the Middle East. The only other port that can handle such ships is Long Beach...but that facility handles most of what comes from Alaska.

The pipeline terminals there can reach the East and Midwest quicker as well.

Then there's the NIMBY factor. Would you want an endless parade of Supertankers off your shoreline? Didn't think so.

[incapsulated]

6. I was thinking about that, too

The route from the ME.

[KharmaTrain]

8. A Little History

The Middle East comes later in the story. Those pipelines go back to the wildcatting days of the 20's and 30's when that region was the prime oil producing region of the world. Texaco, Marathon...a bunch of oil companies got their start in that region.

The pipelines were built as the need to get oil and gas to the big cities to the east and midwest got too much for the rails to handle. Pipelines of oil, gasoline and natural gas stretch for thousands of miles...and with the flat topography it's a straight shot to the biggest markets.

When Middle East oil came along, they just dumped their loads in the terminals that then pumped them, along with the Texas "tea". One thing leads to another...Aristotle Onasis builds ships the size of small countries and the only way oil was shipped was in those large ocean-only vessels.

This comes from sorta paying attention to the "oil is our friend" exhibit at the Museum of Science & Industry. LOL.

Cheers...

[incapsulated]

9. Ah, see that?

It's always good to pay attention, lol. Thanks!