Links

[MacQuigg]

Here are some links that I have found helpful on topics related to
this forum:

http://www.theoildrum.com - Discussions about energy, currently
hosting voluminous discussion of the current crisis in the Gulf. Some
knowledgeable participants, but lots of noise.

http://dailyhurricane.com/energy - another point of view on energy,
politics, and the current crisis. Raises important questions the
media will never ask.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Offshore_oil_spill_prevention - article I
started to relieve my frustration with the lack of good technical
information in the media. The idea was to get things started, then
let the experts finish. Unfortunately, the experts all have different
agendas, and generally can't explain anything to the public. The
article is turning into a boring discussion of regulatory agencies.
For the original, see my sandbox page at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Macquigg/Sandbox.

http://www.aifestival.org/audio-video-library.php?menu=3&title=639&action=full_info
- Shell's slide presentation at this year's Aspen Ideas Festival, on
how they avoid blowouts and how their wells differ from BP.

http://www.glossary.oilfield.slb.com - Schlumberger's excellent
oilfield glossary

[August]

Hi David,

On Jul 15, 11:28 am, MacQuigg <macqu...@ece.arizona.edu> wrote:
> ... the experts all have different
> agendas, and generally can't explain anything to the public.  ...

I'm wondering about that "can't". Are they prevented from explaining
anything or are they incapable of explaining anything? Politics or
Skill?

[MacQuigg]

I would say it's a little of both. The politics is especially heavy
surrounding this topic. There is a lot of blame being tossed around,
and engineers are getting an unfair dose of it (see the thread
"Blaming the engineers"). Some may actually be legally prevented from
talking, but they could participate anonymously in the forums. We're
looking for general technical information, not "gotcha" disclosures
that can be used in court.

As for skill, there is difficulty in any field for experts to explain
things to non-experts. This is not quantum physics, however. Most of
what we are discussing is plumbing. What I am seeing in the forums I
have visited is a reluctance to engage in discussion, or think
"outside the box".