Investorideas.com - Water Stocks; Afghanistan's Kabul Basin Faces Major Water Challenges
Water Stocks; Afghanistan's Kabul Basin Faces Major Water Challenges
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U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey - June 24, 2010 (Investorideas.com water newswire) - In the next 50 years, it is estimated that drinking water needs in the Kabul Basin of Afghanistan may increase sixfold due to population increases resulting from returning refugees. It is also likely that future water resources in the Kabul Basin will be reduced as a result of increasing air temperatures associated with global climate change. These are the findings of a new study conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey.
The study estimates that at least 60 percent of shallow groundwater-supply wells would be affected and may become dry or inoperative as a result of climate change. Groundwater in the basin’s less widely used deep aquifer may supply future needs; however, the sustainability of this resource for large withdrawals, such as agricultural uses, is uncertain. Contamination is also a concern in shallow drinking water sources in Kabul.
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Thursday, June 24, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Water News; Afghanistan’s Kabul Basin Faces Major Water Challenges
Water News; Afghanistan’s Kabul Basin Faces Major Water Challenges
U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey ( Investorideas.com water newswire, http://www.water-stocks.com/ )
In the next 50 years, it is estimated that drinking water needs in the Kabul Basin of Afghanistan may increase sixfold due to population increases resulting from returning refugees. It is also likely that future water resources in the Kabul Basin will be reduced as a result of increasing air temperatures associated with global climate change. These are the findings of a new study conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey.
The study estimates that at least 60 percent of shallow groundwater-supply wells would be affected and may become dry or inoperative as a result of climate change. Groundwater in the basin’s less widely used deep aquifer may supply future needs; however, the sustainability of this resource for large withdrawals, such as agricultural uses, is uncertain. Contamination is also a concern in shallow drinking water sources in Kabul.
“Water resources in the Kabul Basin are a critical issue for both the people of Afghanistan and U.S. military personnel serving there,” said USGS Director Dr. Marcia McNutt. “The work the USGS has done in providing insight about the water situation in the basin can help with future water-resource planning and management efforts and can be applied to other areas of Afghanistan.”
This study presents the results of a multidisciplinary water-resources assessment conducted between 2005 and 2007 to address questions of future water availability for a growing population and of the potential effects of climate change.
Although there is considerable uncertainty associated with climate change projections, warming trends forecast for southwest Asia would likely result in adverse changes to recharge patterns and further stresses on limited water resources. Such stresses were simulated to result in 50 percent of shallow groundwater wells in the basin becoming inoperable.
“Investigating water resources in a country affected by war and civil strife — which have left a more than 20-year gap in the scientific record — is challenging,” said Thomas Mack, USGS scientist and lead author on the report. “However, our collaborative investigation and the USGS's capacity-building efforts help empower our Afghan colleagues to manage their resources and their future.”
The research for this study was conducted in collaboration with the Afghanistan Geological Survey, a division of the Afghanistan Ministry of Mines, and the Afghanistan Ministry of Energy and Water under an agreement with the U.S. Agency for International Development.
“Training with USGS scientists has helped our engineers to modernize their skills and improve their capabilities,” said Afghanistan Geological Survey Director Mohammed Omar. “Our engineers are using these improvements as they monitor groundwater levels and water quality in the Kabul Basin.”
The study assessed climate trends, water use, surface and groundwater availability and water quality by integrating several forms of data, including surface and groundwater analyses, satellite imagery, geologic investigations, climate change analyses, and estimates of public-supply and agricultural water uses, to provide a comprehensive overview of water resources in this basin.
The full report can be accessed at http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2009/5262.
Contact Information:
U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey
Office of Communication
119 National Center
Reston, VA 20192 Thomas Mack
Phone: 603-226-7805
Kara Capelli
Phone: 571-230-6601
_____________________________________________________________-
More water stocks info and water stocks research resources for investors:
Visit the water stocks directory, one of the most comprehensive water stocks directory online- Publicly traded water companies on global stock exchanges: http://www.investorideas.com/Water-Stocks/Stock_List.asp
Investorideas.com and http://www.water-stocks.com/ are positioning to be a leading destination for cleantech investors researching the water space.
U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey ( Investorideas.com water newswire, http://www.water-stocks.com/ )
In the next 50 years, it is estimated that drinking water needs in the Kabul Basin of Afghanistan may increase sixfold due to population increases resulting from returning refugees. It is also likely that future water resources in the Kabul Basin will be reduced as a result of increasing air temperatures associated with global climate change. These are the findings of a new study conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey.
The study estimates that at least 60 percent of shallow groundwater-supply wells would be affected and may become dry or inoperative as a result of climate change. Groundwater in the basin’s less widely used deep aquifer may supply future needs; however, the sustainability of this resource for large withdrawals, such as agricultural uses, is uncertain. Contamination is also a concern in shallow drinking water sources in Kabul.
“Water resources in the Kabul Basin are a critical issue for both the people of Afghanistan and U.S. military personnel serving there,” said USGS Director Dr. Marcia McNutt. “The work the USGS has done in providing insight about the water situation in the basin can help with future water-resource planning and management efforts and can be applied to other areas of Afghanistan.”
This study presents the results of a multidisciplinary water-resources assessment conducted between 2005 and 2007 to address questions of future water availability for a growing population and of the potential effects of climate change.
Although there is considerable uncertainty associated with climate change projections, warming trends forecast for southwest Asia would likely result in adverse changes to recharge patterns and further stresses on limited water resources. Such stresses were simulated to result in 50 percent of shallow groundwater wells in the basin becoming inoperable.
“Investigating water resources in a country affected by war and civil strife — which have left a more than 20-year gap in the scientific record — is challenging,” said Thomas Mack, USGS scientist and lead author on the report. “However, our collaborative investigation and the USGS's capacity-building efforts help empower our Afghan colleagues to manage their resources and their future.”
The research for this study was conducted in collaboration with the Afghanistan Geological Survey, a division of the Afghanistan Ministry of Mines, and the Afghanistan Ministry of Energy and Water under an agreement with the U.S. Agency for International Development.
“Training with USGS scientists has helped our engineers to modernize their skills and improve their capabilities,” said Afghanistan Geological Survey Director Mohammed Omar. “Our engineers are using these improvements as they monitor groundwater levels and water quality in the Kabul Basin.”
The study assessed climate trends, water use, surface and groundwater availability and water quality by integrating several forms of data, including surface and groundwater analyses, satellite imagery, geologic investigations, climate change analyses, and estimates of public-supply and agricultural water uses, to provide a comprehensive overview of water resources in this basin.
The full report can be accessed at http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2009/5262.
Contact Information:
U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey
Office of Communication
119 National Center
Reston, VA 20192 Thomas Mack
Phone: 603-226-7805
Kara Capelli
Phone: 571-230-6601
_____________________________________________________________-
More water stocks info and water stocks research resources for investors:
Visit the water stocks directory, one of the most comprehensive water stocks directory online- Publicly traded water companies on global stock exchanges: http://www.investorideas.com/Water-Stocks/Stock_List.asp
Investorideas.com and http://www.water-stocks.com/ are positioning to be a leading destination for cleantech investors researching the water space.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Water News; U.S. Maritime Industry Seeks Streamlined System to Put Vessels to Work on Oil Spill Clean-Up
Water News; U.S. Maritime Industry Seeks Streamlined System to Put Vessels to Work on Oil Spill Clean-Up
HARAHAN, La., June 19 Water News; ( http://www.investorideas.com/ water stocks blog ; http://www.water-stocks.com/ ) The Offshore Marine Service Association (OMSA) has proposed to BP and the U.S. Coast Guard that they create a smooth, efficient system to be sure vessel owners know what marine assets are needed to combat the Gulf oil spill, and to share with the Incident Command what vessels are available. OMSA, which represents the U.S. flag vessels that work in the offshore energy sector, has a number of member vessels that are currently involved in the cleanup effort, including skimming activities, working to control the leak at its source and setting out boom along the shore.
"Given the magnitude of the crisis we are addressing, it makes sense to set up direct communications between the industry as a group and the Incident Command, so that we can meet the needs of the spill head-on and in real time. Frankly, the Coast Guard should have done this weeks ago," said Ken Wells, OMSA President.
He noted that because of the moratorium on deepwater drilling and the effective moratorium on all new shallow water drilling, between 100 to 200 American offshore vessels may be without work soon, resulting in potential layoffs for thousands of mariners and shoreside personnel that support the offshore workboat industry. "We proposed last Monday that if BP and the Coast Guard will immediately set up a system to let us know their needs, we should be able to meet the requirements of the response effort without disruption. We hope that they are giving our proposal serious consideration," said Wells.
He pointed out that the Coast Guard recently indicated it had more than 400 vessels at work on skimming operations, making this the largest number of skimming vessels ever put to work in the Gulf of Mexico at one time. The Coast Guard has also recently sent out requests to industry to locate every additional available skimming unit in the country and even the world. "But the issue is complicated by the fact that there are a number of different situations requiring different types of vessels. A "skimmer" can be an unmanned floating device, a 16-foot boat equipped with a boom or a small skimming unit, a fishing troller or shrimp boat, a 180-foot offshore supply vessel, or a specialty-built Oil Spill Response Vessel. Each type of vessel has its own application, and we suspect there are significant needs for each. But we will not know that unless and until BP and the Coast Guard indicate that. To the extent that offshore supply vessels equipped with skimming units and storage tanks are needed, we want to make sure that as these skimming units are shipped here, there are American vessels ready to install them and get to work," Wells said.
Wells also noted that there has been some attention focused on the Jones Act, which says that vessels that carry cargo between places in the U.S. must be built in America, owned by Americans and crewed by Americans. The U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) testified before Congress on Thursday, June 17th that if it is necessary to waive the Jones Act, that can be done very quickly.
According to MARAD testimony, there has been only one request to waive the Jones Act and that was addressed in less than 24 hours. Wells stated, "clearly, if we need to bring in foreign boats, the Jones Act process can accomplish that with no delay and our industry will not stand in the way. At the same time, we need to make sure that American vessels and American mariners who are or will soon be out of work as a result of this catastrophe or the government's response are not left unemployed. American vessels are here, ready willing and able to further contribute to this response effort. We simply need clear direction and communication from our government."
To see examples of U.S. flag vessels involved in oil skimming operations, visit www.uscg.mil or visit the following links:
http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_itemId=903509
http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_itemId=900225
http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_itemId=870426&g2_imageViewsIndex=1
Visit http://www.offshoremarine.org/
SOURCE Offshore Marine Service Association
______________________________________________________________
More water news and stocks info and water stocks research resources for investors: Visit the water stocks directory, one of the most comprehensive water stocks directory online- Publicly traded water companies on global stock exchanges: http://www.investorideas.com/Water-Stocks/Stock_List.asp
Investorideas.com and http://www.water-stocks.com/ are positioning to be a leading destination for cleantech investors researching the water space.
HARAHAN, La., June 19 Water News; ( http://www.investorideas.com/ water stocks blog ; http://www.water-stocks.com/ ) The Offshore Marine Service Association (OMSA) has proposed to BP and the U.S. Coast Guard that they create a smooth, efficient system to be sure vessel owners know what marine assets are needed to combat the Gulf oil spill, and to share with the Incident Command what vessels are available. OMSA, which represents the U.S. flag vessels that work in the offshore energy sector, has a number of member vessels that are currently involved in the cleanup effort, including skimming activities, working to control the leak at its source and setting out boom along the shore.
"Given the magnitude of the crisis we are addressing, it makes sense to set up direct communications between the industry as a group and the Incident Command, so that we can meet the needs of the spill head-on and in real time. Frankly, the Coast Guard should have done this weeks ago," said Ken Wells, OMSA President.
He noted that because of the moratorium on deepwater drilling and the effective moratorium on all new shallow water drilling, between 100 to 200 American offshore vessels may be without work soon, resulting in potential layoffs for thousands of mariners and shoreside personnel that support the offshore workboat industry. "We proposed last Monday that if BP and the Coast Guard will immediately set up a system to let us know their needs, we should be able to meet the requirements of the response effort without disruption. We hope that they are giving our proposal serious consideration," said Wells.
He pointed out that the Coast Guard recently indicated it had more than 400 vessels at work on skimming operations, making this the largest number of skimming vessels ever put to work in the Gulf of Mexico at one time. The Coast Guard has also recently sent out requests to industry to locate every additional available skimming unit in the country and even the world. "But the issue is complicated by the fact that there are a number of different situations requiring different types of vessels. A "skimmer" can be an unmanned floating device, a 16-foot boat equipped with a boom or a small skimming unit, a fishing troller or shrimp boat, a 180-foot offshore supply vessel, or a specialty-built Oil Spill Response Vessel. Each type of vessel has its own application, and we suspect there are significant needs for each. But we will not know that unless and until BP and the Coast Guard indicate that. To the extent that offshore supply vessels equipped with skimming units and storage tanks are needed, we want to make sure that as these skimming units are shipped here, there are American vessels ready to install them and get to work," Wells said.
Wells also noted that there has been some attention focused on the Jones Act, which says that vessels that carry cargo between places in the U.S. must be built in America, owned by Americans and crewed by Americans. The U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) testified before Congress on Thursday, June 17th that if it is necessary to waive the Jones Act, that can be done very quickly.
According to MARAD testimony, there has been only one request to waive the Jones Act and that was addressed in less than 24 hours. Wells stated, "clearly, if we need to bring in foreign boats, the Jones Act process can accomplish that with no delay and our industry will not stand in the way. At the same time, we need to make sure that American vessels and American mariners who are or will soon be out of work as a result of this catastrophe or the government's response are not left unemployed. American vessels are here, ready willing and able to further contribute to this response effort. We simply need clear direction and communication from our government."
To see examples of U.S. flag vessels involved in oil skimming operations, visit www.uscg.mil or visit the following links:
http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_itemId=903509
http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_itemId=900225
http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_itemId=870426&g2_imageViewsIndex=1
Visit http://www.offshoremarine.org/
SOURCE Offshore Marine Service Association
______________________________________________________________
More water news and stocks info and water stocks research resources for investors: Visit the water stocks directory, one of the most comprehensive water stocks directory online- Publicly traded water companies on global stock exchanges: http://www.investorideas.com/Water-Stocks/Stock_List.asp
Investorideas.com and http://www.water-stocks.com/ are positioning to be a leading destination for cleantech investors researching the water space.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Water News; Dallas Investment Banker Requests Jones Act Waiver to Send Skimmers to Gulf, Sends Open Letter to Admiral Allen
Water News; Dallas Investment Banker Requests Jones Act Waiver to Send Skimmers to Gulf, Sends Open Letter to Admiral Allen
DALLAS, Water News , ( http://www.investorideas.com/ water stocks blog ) Fred McCallister, an investment banker with Allegiance Capital Corporation, sent a letter to Incident Commander Admiral Thad Allen today asking for a limited waiver of the Jones Act, to enable 12 to 25 foreign flagged skimmer ships to assist in clean-up efforts in the Gulf.
"Many in the Gulf have been calling for this equipment, which can collect 3,500 gallons of oil per hour per vessel from Gulf waters. With estimates now at 2.5 million gallons of oil spilling into the Gulf every day, the urgency can't be overstated," said McCallister, a Vice President at Allegiance Capital.
The Jones Act has been waived as part of disaster response in the past, including a waiver to assist in response to Hurricane Katrina. More recently it has been waived to support renewable energy development efforts off of the coast of Delaware. Several Gulf state leaders have asked for a general waiver of the Jones Act this week.
Mr. McCallister has 12 skimming vessels specifically designed to remove surface oil from the Gulf that are immediately available and at least 13 more that can be made available over the next few weeks. The firm also has specialized vessels for deploying oil booms and providing housing for personnel working in the Gulf of Mexico on the BP oil spill cleanup.
SOURCE Allegiance Capital Corporation
http://www.allcapcorp.com/
___________________________________________________
More water stocks info and water stocks research resources for investors: Visit the water stocks directory, one of the most comprehensive water stocks directory online- Publicly traded water companies on global stock exchanges: http://www.investorideas.com/Water-Stocks/Stock_List.asp
Investorideas.com and http://www.water-stocks.com/ are positioning to be a leading destination for cleantech investors researching the water space.
DALLAS, Water News , ( http://www.investorideas.com/ water stocks blog ) Fred McCallister, an investment banker with Allegiance Capital Corporation, sent a letter to Incident Commander Admiral Thad Allen today asking for a limited waiver of the Jones Act, to enable 12 to 25 foreign flagged skimmer ships to assist in clean-up efforts in the Gulf.
"Many in the Gulf have been calling for this equipment, which can collect 3,500 gallons of oil per hour per vessel from Gulf waters. With estimates now at 2.5 million gallons of oil spilling into the Gulf every day, the urgency can't be overstated," said McCallister, a Vice President at Allegiance Capital.
The Jones Act has been waived as part of disaster response in the past, including a waiver to assist in response to Hurricane Katrina. More recently it has been waived to support renewable energy development efforts off of the coast of Delaware. Several Gulf state leaders have asked for a general waiver of the Jones Act this week.
Mr. McCallister has 12 skimming vessels specifically designed to remove surface oil from the Gulf that are immediately available and at least 13 more that can be made available over the next few weeks. The firm also has specialized vessels for deploying oil booms and providing housing for personnel working in the Gulf of Mexico on the BP oil spill cleanup.
SOURCE Allegiance Capital Corporation
http://www.allcapcorp.com/
___________________________________________________
More water stocks info and water stocks research resources for investors: Visit the water stocks directory, one of the most comprehensive water stocks directory online- Publicly traded water companies on global stock exchanges: http://www.investorideas.com/Water-Stocks/Stock_List.asp
Investorideas.com and http://www.water-stocks.com/ are positioning to be a leading destination for cleantech investors researching the water space.
Water News; Department of Energy - Gulf Oil Spill updates
Water News; - Department of Energy - Gulf Oil Spill updates can be found at
http://www.energy.gov/open/oil_spill_updates.htm
energy.gov/oilspilldata
( http://www.investorideas.com/ water stocks blog )
At the request of the President, Secretary Chu assembled a scientific team of top scientists and has made three trips to Houston, monitoring the progress of BP's effort to contain the leak and helping to design the strategies for moving forward. When not in Houston, the Secretary and his team of scientists have been receiving regular updates from BP officials and asking questions to ensure that all options are considered. The team consists of the following scientific experts:
•Dr. Tom Hunter, Director of the Department of Energy's Sandia National Labs
•Dr. George A. Cooper, an expert in materials science and retired professor from UC Berkeley
•Richard Lawrence Garwin, a physicist and IBM Fellow Emeritus
•Dr. Alexander H. Slocum, professor of mechanical engineering at MIT
Secretary Chu is on the phone with his science team a minimum of 1-2 times a day, 7 days a week, and the calls frequently last 90 minutes or more. Secretary Chu and members of his team also have a dialogue with BP executives each morning.
•At the direction of the President, this week Secretary Salazar and Secretary Chu convened a meeting with oil industry executives to review BP's updated containment plans and identify additional resources that could be brought to bear to build upon what is already the largest cleanup effort in the nation's history. While the companies have already offered and provided expertise and resources, the meeting was an opportunity to update those efforts based on the expanded and accelerated containment plan that the government recently directed BP to develop.
•We have urged BP to use the choke and kill lines to collect oil from the BOP. These lines are designed to pump mud into the BOP and are not used to produce oil under normal circumstances. BP had discounted that option initially but were pushed by us to look at it again, and decided after the choke/kill attempt that it would work. Since only one ship can be connected to the riser that is connected to the top hat, BP has connected the choke line to another ship on site. That line is now available, allowing another 5,000 - 10,000 BPD to be produced in addition to the 18,000 BPD that can be collected by the Enterprise from the top hat.
•The team insisted that BP bring in additional ships so they will have the capacity to collect more oil from the BOP, and we have examined the configurations of lines they are using to optimize the amount of oil that can be collected. A ship currently leased by Chevron has been reconfigured so it can also receive oil from the choke and kill configuration. It will be able to produce an additional 10,000 BPD.
•Our science team has designed a new more permanent cap with BP that can replace the top hat and allow a permanent production riser to be attached to the BOP. This could have a capacity to collect the entire flow of the well up the main riser.
•Due to our suggestion, BP used high energy gamma rays to image parts of the internal state of the BOP. Lab personnel have independently analyzed the 2D gamma ray images. That imaging is crucial in helping understand what is happening inside the BOP and informing the approach moving forward. For example, it told engineers which valves and rams inside the BOP were closed and which were open, and it showed that a piece of drill pipe was stuck inside the BOP. Trying to determine what was wrong with the BOP without this information is akin to determining why your car has stopped running if you have no working gauges and can't open the hood.
•They strongly encouraged BP to collect additional pressure measurements, which were very valuable in interpreting the behavior of the well and BOP after each top kill and/or junk shot attempt, and ultimately those measurements helped the government and BP determine that the top kill was not going to work and that it was time to move on. The measurements also showed that the top kill attempts did not significantly erode the BOP.
•During the top kill attempts, the team suggested rechecking all of the hydraulics on the BOP, which BP did. As a result, one of the pipe ram valves closed more tightly and provided more resistance to the flow.
•The team conducted an extensive suite of structural analyses to assess the stability of the riser system in support of the choke and kill series.
•The team conducted an independent set of analyses to explain the oil and mud flow during the choke and kill series. This provided an understanding of the operational limits of the containment system going forward.
•The Secretary asked for and received detailed briefings from BP on the work to drill the relief wells that will ultimately kill the well. The team continues to monitor progress and evaluate the effectiveness as this proceeds to ensure that BP is on track to stop the leak.
•Team members have suggested design improvements for the top hats to achieve a tighter seal and capture more of the oil. Some of these modifications may be incorporated into additional top hats in construction if they are needed.
•The team insisted that BP add a device to measure pressure in the top hat so that a more accurate flow estimate can be obtained.
•BP has asked the scientific team to develop additional backup and contingency plans. For example, they have asked the team to propose ways of storing some of the oil captured from the well undersea in the event that an approaching hurricane forced the drillship Enterprise (which is collecting the oil from the top hat) to leave the scene.
As part of the Obama Administration's ongoing commitment to transparency surrounding the response to the BP oil spill, the Department of Energy is providing online access to schematics, pressure tests, diagnostic results and other data about the malfunctioning blowout preventer. The information is posted at energy.gov/oilspilldata, which is updated regularly with additional data.
You can find out more about what steps DOE is taking to help stem the impact of this spill and cap the flow of oil by reading our fact sheet. We also provide updates through Energy Assurance Daily on impacts to energy infrastructure from events of national significance, including the BP oil spill.
____________________________________________________
More water stocks info and water stocks research resources for investors: Visit the water stocks directory, one of the most comprehensive water stocks directory online- Publicly traded water companies on global stock exchanges: http://www.investorideas.com/Water-Stocks/Stock_List.asp
Investorideas.com and http://www.water-stocks.com/ are positioning to be a leading destination for cleantech investors researching the water space.
http://www.energy.gov/open/oil_spill_updates.htm
energy.gov/oilspilldata
( http://www.investorideas.com/ water stocks blog )
At the request of the President, Secretary Chu assembled a scientific team of top scientists and has made three trips to Houston, monitoring the progress of BP's effort to contain the leak and helping to design the strategies for moving forward. When not in Houston, the Secretary and his team of scientists have been receiving regular updates from BP officials and asking questions to ensure that all options are considered. The team consists of the following scientific experts:
•Dr. Tom Hunter, Director of the Department of Energy's Sandia National Labs
•Dr. George A. Cooper, an expert in materials science and retired professor from UC Berkeley
•Richard Lawrence Garwin, a physicist and IBM Fellow Emeritus
•Dr. Alexander H. Slocum, professor of mechanical engineering at MIT
Secretary Chu is on the phone with his science team a minimum of 1-2 times a day, 7 days a week, and the calls frequently last 90 minutes or more. Secretary Chu and members of his team also have a dialogue with BP executives each morning.
•At the direction of the President, this week Secretary Salazar and Secretary Chu convened a meeting with oil industry executives to review BP's updated containment plans and identify additional resources that could be brought to bear to build upon what is already the largest cleanup effort in the nation's history. While the companies have already offered and provided expertise and resources, the meeting was an opportunity to update those efforts based on the expanded and accelerated containment plan that the government recently directed BP to develop.
•We have urged BP to use the choke and kill lines to collect oil from the BOP. These lines are designed to pump mud into the BOP and are not used to produce oil under normal circumstances. BP had discounted that option initially but were pushed by us to look at it again, and decided after the choke/kill attempt that it would work. Since only one ship can be connected to the riser that is connected to the top hat, BP has connected the choke line to another ship on site. That line is now available, allowing another 5,000 - 10,000 BPD to be produced in addition to the 18,000 BPD that can be collected by the Enterprise from the top hat.
•The team insisted that BP bring in additional ships so they will have the capacity to collect more oil from the BOP, and we have examined the configurations of lines they are using to optimize the amount of oil that can be collected. A ship currently leased by Chevron has been reconfigured so it can also receive oil from the choke and kill configuration. It will be able to produce an additional 10,000 BPD.
•Our science team has designed a new more permanent cap with BP that can replace the top hat and allow a permanent production riser to be attached to the BOP. This could have a capacity to collect the entire flow of the well up the main riser.
•Due to our suggestion, BP used high energy gamma rays to image parts of the internal state of the BOP. Lab personnel have independently analyzed the 2D gamma ray images. That imaging is crucial in helping understand what is happening inside the BOP and informing the approach moving forward. For example, it told engineers which valves and rams inside the BOP were closed and which were open, and it showed that a piece of drill pipe was stuck inside the BOP. Trying to determine what was wrong with the BOP without this information is akin to determining why your car has stopped running if you have no working gauges and can't open the hood.
•They strongly encouraged BP to collect additional pressure measurements, which were very valuable in interpreting the behavior of the well and BOP after each top kill and/or junk shot attempt, and ultimately those measurements helped the government and BP determine that the top kill was not going to work and that it was time to move on. The measurements also showed that the top kill attempts did not significantly erode the BOP.
•During the top kill attempts, the team suggested rechecking all of the hydraulics on the BOP, which BP did. As a result, one of the pipe ram valves closed more tightly and provided more resistance to the flow.
•The team conducted an extensive suite of structural analyses to assess the stability of the riser system in support of the choke and kill series.
•The team conducted an independent set of analyses to explain the oil and mud flow during the choke and kill series. This provided an understanding of the operational limits of the containment system going forward.
•The Secretary asked for and received detailed briefings from BP on the work to drill the relief wells that will ultimately kill the well. The team continues to monitor progress and evaluate the effectiveness as this proceeds to ensure that BP is on track to stop the leak.
•Team members have suggested design improvements for the top hats to achieve a tighter seal and capture more of the oil. Some of these modifications may be incorporated into additional top hats in construction if they are needed.
•The team insisted that BP add a device to measure pressure in the top hat so that a more accurate flow estimate can be obtained.
•BP has asked the scientific team to develop additional backup and contingency plans. For example, they have asked the team to propose ways of storing some of the oil captured from the well undersea in the event that an approaching hurricane forced the drillship Enterprise (which is collecting the oil from the top hat) to leave the scene.
As part of the Obama Administration's ongoing commitment to transparency surrounding the response to the BP oil spill, the Department of Energy is providing online access to schematics, pressure tests, diagnostic results and other data about the malfunctioning blowout preventer. The information is posted at energy.gov/oilspilldata, which is updated regularly with additional data.
You can find out more about what steps DOE is taking to help stem the impact of this spill and cap the flow of oil by reading our fact sheet. We also provide updates through Energy Assurance Daily on impacts to energy infrastructure from events of national significance, including the BP oil spill.
____________________________________________________
More water stocks info and water stocks research resources for investors: Visit the water stocks directory, one of the most comprehensive water stocks directory online- Publicly traded water companies on global stock exchanges: http://www.investorideas.com/Water-Stocks/Stock_List.asp
Investorideas.com and http://www.water-stocks.com/ are positioning to be a leading destination for cleantech investors researching the water space.
Water Stocks News ; BioteQ (TSX:BQE) Completes Commissioning of Minto Water Treatment Plant
Water Stocks News ; BioteQ (TSX:BQE) Completes Commissioning of Minto Water Treatment Plant
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA-- Water news- Investorideas.com water stocks newswire, http://www.water-stocks.com/ ) - BioteQ Environmental Technologies, Inc. (TSX:BQE), a leader in the treatment of industrial waste water, has completed commissioning of the new water treatment plant at the Minto Mine site in the Yukon, owned by Minto Explorations Ltd., a subsidiary of Capstone Mining. The plant produces treated water that meets design criteria. Continuous operations will commence when the mine's water use licence amendments are approved.
This is a design-supply-operate project where BioteQ has provided an integrated package of services including process design, plant equipment and installation, commissioning services, and ongoing fee-based water treatment operations at the site for the next three operating seasons. The operating fee includes a water treatment fee based on volume of water treated, plus fees for labour. The design-supply-operate structure of the project has expedited the project execution, reduced implementation costs, and reduced project risk. As the operator of the plant, BioteQ provides a process guarantee that the plant performs to the design specifications.
For 2010, BioteQ's goal is to add two new plants to its operations portfolio. The Minto plant is the first of the two new plants; the second new plant is anticipated to be in China, subject to final review and approval of the design report, which is in progress.
BioteQ Corporate Profile
BioteQ applies innovative technologies and operating expertise to solve challenging water treatment problems, reducing environmental liabilities while delivering lower life cycle costs for water treatment. The Company's commercially proven technologies treat industrial wastewater contaminated with dissolved heavy metals and sulphate, producing saleable by-products and clean water that can be discharged safely to the environment. BioteQ has built 10 plants at sites in Canada, the US, China, Australia and Mexico, with additional projects in design and construction.
BioteQ's sustainable water treatment solutions have been recognized with the CIM/Syncrude Award for Excellence in Sustainable Development, the Canada Export Achievement Award, the Jantzi/Maclean's Most Socially Responsible Corporations in Canada, the Globe Award for Environmental Excellence, the PDAC Award for Environmental and Social Responsibility, the China Mining Environmental Protection Award, and the Mines & Money Sustainable Development Award. BioteQ is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, and trades on the TSX under the symbol BQE. For additional information, please go to www.bioteq.ca.
On behalf of the Board of Directors Brad Marchant
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
Except for statements of historical fact relating to the Company, certain information contained herein constitutes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "might" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These factors include the inherent risks involved in the development, construction and operation of water treatment plants, variations in water quality, fluctuating metal prices, the possibility of project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future and other factors described in the section entitled "Risks" in the Company's Annual Report for the Year Ended December 31, 2009. Circumstances or management's estimates or opinions could change. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
The Toronto Stock Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or the accuracy of this release.
________________________________________
More water stocks info and water stocks research: Visit the water stocks directory at www. Investorideas.com and http://www.water-stocks.com/ to research publicly traded water companies, listed on global stock exchanges and research water stocks news, articles and commentary from some of the leading experts in the sector.
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA-- Water news- Investorideas.com water stocks newswire, http://www.water-stocks.com/ ) - BioteQ Environmental Technologies, Inc. (TSX:BQE), a leader in the treatment of industrial waste water, has completed commissioning of the new water treatment plant at the Minto Mine site in the Yukon, owned by Minto Explorations Ltd., a subsidiary of Capstone Mining. The plant produces treated water that meets design criteria. Continuous operations will commence when the mine's water use licence amendments are approved.
This is a design-supply-operate project where BioteQ has provided an integrated package of services including process design, plant equipment and installation, commissioning services, and ongoing fee-based water treatment operations at the site for the next three operating seasons. The operating fee includes a water treatment fee based on volume of water treated, plus fees for labour. The design-supply-operate structure of the project has expedited the project execution, reduced implementation costs, and reduced project risk. As the operator of the plant, BioteQ provides a process guarantee that the plant performs to the design specifications.
For 2010, BioteQ's goal is to add two new plants to its operations portfolio. The Minto plant is the first of the two new plants; the second new plant is anticipated to be in China, subject to final review and approval of the design report, which is in progress.
BioteQ Corporate Profile
BioteQ applies innovative technologies and operating expertise to solve challenging water treatment problems, reducing environmental liabilities while delivering lower life cycle costs for water treatment. The Company's commercially proven technologies treat industrial wastewater contaminated with dissolved heavy metals and sulphate, producing saleable by-products and clean water that can be discharged safely to the environment. BioteQ has built 10 plants at sites in Canada, the US, China, Australia and Mexico, with additional projects in design and construction.
BioteQ's sustainable water treatment solutions have been recognized with the CIM/Syncrude Award for Excellence in Sustainable Development, the Canada Export Achievement Award, the Jantzi/Maclean's Most Socially Responsible Corporations in Canada, the Globe Award for Environmental Excellence, the PDAC Award for Environmental and Social Responsibility, the China Mining Environmental Protection Award, and the Mines & Money Sustainable Development Award. BioteQ is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, and trades on the TSX under the symbol BQE. For additional information, please go to www.bioteq.ca.
On behalf of the Board of Directors Brad Marchant
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
Except for statements of historical fact relating to the Company, certain information contained herein constitutes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "might" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These factors include the inherent risks involved in the development, construction and operation of water treatment plants, variations in water quality, fluctuating metal prices, the possibility of project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future and other factors described in the section entitled "Risks" in the Company's Annual Report for the Year Ended December 31, 2009. Circumstances or management's estimates or opinions could change. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
The Toronto Stock Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or the accuracy of this release.
________________________________________
More water stocks info and water stocks research: Visit the water stocks directory at www. Investorideas.com and http://www.water-stocks.com/ to research publicly traded water companies, listed on global stock exchanges and research water stocks news, articles and commentary from some of the leading experts in the sector.
Water Stocks News; Pall Corporation (NYSE:PLL) Repurposes Filter Material to Help Oil Clean Up in Gulf Breeze, Florida
Water Stocks News; Pall Corporation (NYSE:PLL) Repurposes Filter Material to Help Oil Clean Up in Gulf Breeze, Florida
PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. & PENSACOLA, Fla.--(Investorideas.com water stocks newswire, http://www.water-stocks.com/ )--Pall Corporation (NYSE:PLL) is donating leftover polypropylene membrane from its manufacturing operations in Pensacola, Florida, to help protect local beaches from the Gulf oil spill. So far, the company has contributed over 6,000 pounds of the highly absorbent material to aid in the clean up. Pall employees and other local volunteers are bagging the material into netting “socks” to soak up the oil and help contain environmental damage.
Pall's polypropylene membrane is widely used by Life Sciences and Industrial customers to filter water, chemicals, biologicals, fuels and in other applications requiring high dirt-holding capacity. The facility in Pensacola is a Center of Manufacturing and Research Excellence in the company's global supply chain.
Polypropylene is the most common form of absorbent for lifting oil from water. Its fast-wicking fibers can absorb 25 times their weight in petroleum-based liquid, but repel water. Pall trims rolls of polypropylene on the production line to specific customer requirements and, as a result, accumulates leftover material. By repurposing the material for a "second life" to abate the oil contamination Pall's accomplishment is a doubly significant environmental achievement.
“I want to thank Pall for getting involved. We appreciate your staff coming out to pitch in as well. Your donation of oil absorbent material is being put to good use in the fight to keep oil off our beaches. On behalf of our Mayor, City Council and all of our Gulf Breeze area residents, thanks for all your support,” said Edwin Eddy, Gulf Breeze City Manager.
Eric Krasnoff, Pall Chairman and CEO, said, "We are pleased to help any way we can. I'm especially proud of our Pensacola employees for their ingenuity and for rallying to the aid of their community. Their actions epitomize Pall's culture of innovation, citizenship and environmental stewardship. They also demonstrate the positive impact that each of us can have on our communities."
About Pall Corporation
Pall Corporation (NYSE: PLL) is a filtration, separation and purification leader providing Total Fluid ManagementSM solutions to meet the critical needs of customers in biopharmaceutical; hospital, transfusion and veterinary medicine; energy and alternative energy; electronics; municipal and industrial water; aerospace; transportation and broad industrial markets. Together with our customers, we foster health, safety and environmentally responsible technologies. The company’s engineered solutions enable process and product innovation and minimize emissions and waste. Pall Corporation, with total revenues of $2.3 billion for fiscal 2009, is an S&P 500 company with more than 10,000 employees serving customers worldwide. Pall has been named a top "green company" by Newsweek magazine. To see how Pall is helping enable a greener, safer, more sustainable future, visit www.pall.com/green.
Editor's Note: Pall has substantial operations in the following US locations:
California: Covina and San Diego
Florida: Deland, Ft. Myers, New Port Richey and Pensacola
New York: Port Washington, Hauppauge and Cortland
Maryland: Timonium
Massachusetts: Northborough
Michigan: Ann Arbor
Pennsylvania: Exton
___________________________________________
More water stocks info and water stocks research: Visit the water stocks directory at Investorideas.com and http://www.water-stocks.com/
to research publicly traded water companies, listed on global stock exchanges : http://www.investorideas.com/Water-Stocks/Stock_List.asp
PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. & PENSACOLA, Fla.--(Investorideas.com water stocks newswire, http://www.water-stocks.com/ )--Pall Corporation (NYSE:PLL) is donating leftover polypropylene membrane from its manufacturing operations in Pensacola, Florida, to help protect local beaches from the Gulf oil spill. So far, the company has contributed over 6,000 pounds of the highly absorbent material to aid in the clean up. Pall employees and other local volunteers are bagging the material into netting “socks” to soak up the oil and help contain environmental damage.
Pall's polypropylene membrane is widely used by Life Sciences and Industrial customers to filter water, chemicals, biologicals, fuels and in other applications requiring high dirt-holding capacity. The facility in Pensacola is a Center of Manufacturing and Research Excellence in the company's global supply chain.
Polypropylene is the most common form of absorbent for lifting oil from water. Its fast-wicking fibers can absorb 25 times their weight in petroleum-based liquid, but repel water. Pall trims rolls of polypropylene on the production line to specific customer requirements and, as a result, accumulates leftover material. By repurposing the material for a "second life" to abate the oil contamination Pall's accomplishment is a doubly significant environmental achievement.
“I want to thank Pall for getting involved. We appreciate your staff coming out to pitch in as well. Your donation of oil absorbent material is being put to good use in the fight to keep oil off our beaches. On behalf of our Mayor, City Council and all of our Gulf Breeze area residents, thanks for all your support,” said Edwin Eddy, Gulf Breeze City Manager.
Eric Krasnoff, Pall Chairman and CEO, said, "We are pleased to help any way we can. I'm especially proud of our Pensacola employees for their ingenuity and for rallying to the aid of their community. Their actions epitomize Pall's culture of innovation, citizenship and environmental stewardship. They also demonstrate the positive impact that each of us can have on our communities."
About Pall Corporation
Pall Corporation (NYSE: PLL) is a filtration, separation and purification leader providing Total Fluid ManagementSM solutions to meet the critical needs of customers in biopharmaceutical; hospital, transfusion and veterinary medicine; energy and alternative energy; electronics; municipal and industrial water; aerospace; transportation and broad industrial markets. Together with our customers, we foster health, safety and environmentally responsible technologies. The company’s engineered solutions enable process and product innovation and minimize emissions and waste. Pall Corporation, with total revenues of $2.3 billion for fiscal 2009, is an S&P 500 company with more than 10,000 employees serving customers worldwide. Pall has been named a top "green company" by Newsweek magazine. To see how Pall is helping enable a greener, safer, more sustainable future, visit www.pall.com/green.
Editor's Note: Pall has substantial operations in the following US locations:
California: Covina and San Diego
Florida: Deland, Ft. Myers, New Port Richey and Pensacola
New York: Port Washington, Hauppauge and Cortland
Maryland: Timonium
Massachusetts: Northborough
Michigan: Ann Arbor
Pennsylvania: Exton
___________________________________________
More water stocks info and water stocks research: Visit the water stocks directory at Investorideas.com and http://www.water-stocks.com/
to research publicly traded water companies, listed on global stock exchanges : http://www.investorideas.com/Water-Stocks/Stock_List.asp
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