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Prepared Statement of The Honorable Joe Barton Ultradeep Water Research and Development: What Are the Benefits?
Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for holding this hearing on ultradeep water research and development. There have been enormous technological advances in oil and gas exploration and production in recent decades. Offshore drilling and production platforms are so technologically advanced that one platform on the surface of the water can handle production from several different wells several miles apart, house a myriad of technologically advanced computer systems, employ scores of personnel, generate electricity, enable people to face and conquer the adversities of living in the middle of the ocean, and do so 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; all without so much as losing a gum wrapper over the side of the platform. It is truly amazing. However, with all of the latest technologies, more research is needed as companies are forced into ever-deeper water to meet our nation's energy needs. Ultradeep water has been characterized as water depths of 1,500 meters or deeper--roughly 5,000 feet of water. Who would have ever imagined that a driller would have to string together 5,000 feet of pipe just to get to the dirt? Drilling at such depths will present a whole host of impediments to production that must be resolved through technology. American ingenuity will find the solutions. We need to explore the proper role of government in a program that advances cutting-edge technology to provide our nation's energy needs. I look forward to hearing the testimony from the panelists today--including my friend from Texas, the distinguished Majority Leader, Mr. DeLay--and thank them for their participation on this important topic.
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