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05/10/10 7:03 PM

#650870 RE: Smart_Money #650867

Where is the GlomarExplorer when you need it. LOL. Hydrocarbon (mostly methane) Hydrates are widespread on the ocean floor, especially in oil producing regions. In fact, the hydrates is nothing more than part of the hydrocarbon (natural gas and oil) seeping out, thereby proving that there is more gas and oil below . . . . just like the old days at the beginning of land-based oil exploration, natural gushers and natural out-gassing/oil-flow pointed out where to plant the rigs.

For the same reason, the oil spill is not going to be a long-lasting disaster . . . natural hydrocarbon spill at the bottom of the ocean happens all the time . . . that's why there are the hydrates all over the ocean floor. In the short-term however, visible oil slick on the surface of the water does pose short-term economic damage, especially to tourist industry and local fishing. The risks associated with those jobs are what the locals need to work out, instead of having national governments impose on them and make them into cry-babies when the inevitable accidents happen.