Today’s release of “Deepwater Horizon” brings back memories
Friday, September 30, 2016
The highly anticipated release of “Deepwater Horizon” is poised to bring back memories of the April 10, 2010, oil rig disaster that set off the worst oil spill in U.S. history.
Spending $118 million on the movie, the filmmakers depict the tragic events that left 11 workers dead. The crew is depicted as under pressure from BP to plug the well and move onto a new location as they were weeks past schedule and millions of dollars over budget, according to Bloomberg.
The film is directed by Peter Berg, who also directed “Lone Survivor” and “Friday Night Lights” and the cast includes Mark Wahlberg, Kate Hudson, Kurt Russell and John Malkovich. Filling some other roles, the filmmakers used current and former oil workers.
Learn more: Bloomberg > ‘Deepwater Horizon’ Film Retraces Stigma of U.S. Oil Distaster
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Shale FAQ
What is fracking?
Fracking is a slang term for hydraulic fracturing. Fracturing is a process by which highly pressurized fluid is pumped thousands of feet into the ground to fracture rock formations. The goal is to release the natural gas that’s locked inside the rock.
Is it safe?
What most concerns people about fracturing is ground water contamination. The worry is that fractures underground, caused by the process, will extending upwards and into aquifers, releasing gas and chemicals into the ground water supply. There’s been no confirmed reports of such a thing happening. Though surface spills and drill site blowouts can lead to localized environmental concerns.
Will my water catch on fire?
Flammable water is caused by the release of methane gas into a drinking water supply. Methane gas occurs naturally and can be released by any kind of drilling, including water wells. In Pennsylvania officials fined Chesapeake Energy $1 million for contaminating ground water with methane. It was determined that the company had not properly cemented it’s boreholes and gas migrated up the well, between rock and into aquifers.