The Lousiana oil rig failure...

[Skybird]

German TV news showed a report from the US saying that a security device, some kind of a remote-controlled vent, that is obligatory to be used in Norway and Brasil, was prevented by oil producers lobbying in politics to be made a business standard. eventually it could have saved the situation.

That device they said costs 500.000 diollar. The damage now will go into the high billions.

And this although drilling depths have tripled (since the shallow fields all have been exploited) and the according risks from greater pressure have risen therefore - just that industry security technical standards (were they are left to voluntary actions by the industry), have not been raised accordingly. Norway seems to claim the lead in security standards. no wonder, if you need to drill in the North Sea.