Dr. Simon Atkins PhD, DSc (AM)

GLG News by Dr. Simon Atkins PhD, DSc (AM), CEO, Senior Industrial Disaster Threat Forecaster

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BP, NOAA, EPA Cover-Up: Neurotoxin Pesticide Dispersant Corexit's Lethal Effects

July 27, 2010

Analysis of:EPA Whistleblower Accuses Agency of Covering Up Effects of Dispersant in BP Oil Spill Cleanup | blog.alexanderhiggins.com

BP has poured nearly two million gallons of the dispersant known as Corexit (banned in the UK and 17 other countries) into the Gulf, and many lawmakers and advocacy groups say the Federal Government is not being candid about the lethal effects of dispersants.  At a recent Senate subcommittee, Maryland Senator, Barbara Mikulski, grilled administrators from the EPA about Corexit and said she didn’t want dispersants to be the Agent Orange of this oil spill.

No Question If BP Hayward Will Quit, The Real Issue Is Risk Of Seafloor Breaking

July 25, 2010

Analysis of:BP Chief Executive Tony Hayward May Quit Within Two Days, Telegraph Says | www.bloomberg.com

BP will publish its first-half 2010 results, and one deep wound it needs to heal at the same time as that announcement is telling the world that their CEO, Tony Hayward, is moving onto other things. BP will say that Hayward “has the board's confidence”, but behind closed doors, it needs him out to re-jack-up its stock price. That aside, the real scientific issue is the looming risk of sudden hemorrhaging of oil and methane due to pressure and a cracked pipe BELOW the seafloor bed. 

Government Says Gulf Oil Spill Hasn't Entered Human Seafood Supply. Really Now?

July 4, 2010

Analysis of:Food Safety Concerns Mount As Oil Found In Gulf Crabs | content.usatoday.com

Is oil from the BP Gulf disaster entering the food chain?  There are increasing food safety concerns.  First we had contaminated shrimp, and Red Lobster took them off their menu.  Then it was oysters leaking oil onto dinner plates (you didn't hear?)  Now golden globs have been found on newly-hatched crabs.   Organisms in the sea can accumulate the hydrocarbons, which could harm their ability to reproduce.  What happens when our food becomes contaminated and our air becomes toxic? 

Powerful Solar Storm Could Shut Down USA for Months: Oh Please, Enough Drama

June 17, 2010

Analysis of:As the Sun Awakens, NASA Keeps a Wary Eye on Space Weather | science.nasa.gov

Should we be concerned about NASA's warning about solar flares?  On June 8, a meeting called "The Space Weather Enterprise Forum" was held at the National Press Club in DC.  NASA says that the sun is going to produce very high solar flare levels and that our technology & society will be greatly affected.  NASA warns that a century-class solar storm coming before the middle of 2013 could cause twenty times more economic damage than Hurricane Katrina.

Ocean Therapy Technology Can Help Clean Up Oil Spill Environmental Disasters Now

June 6, 2010

Oil spill environmental disasters are a dime a dozen. The following list below briefly describes each major oil spill since 1967. Calculating how much oil has contaminated our oceans (total is well over 1 billion gallons) will make your mind spin. Kevin Costner's "Ocean Therapy" technology cost about $40 million to build (compared to a price-tag of at least $40 BILLION in clean-up costs to British Petroleum in 2010). Why has it not been used? We need to invest in cleaning our oceans now. 

Gulf Oil Spill Crisis, Active Hurricane Season Interaction & Industries Affected

May 28, 2010

Analysis of:Storm: Hurricane Outlook, Oil Spill A Possible Double Whammy For Gulf | www.therepublic.com

With the biggest oil spill ever, the Gulf of Mexico appears headed for a double whammy with the forecast of an "active to extremely active" hurricane season.  There's been much speculation about what might happen should a hurricane pass through the massive oil slick.  A hurricane could move oil through a storm surge and pushing oil-dispersant toxic 'aerosol' well inland with flooding rains.  What industries could be eventually impacted?  How DID the spill happen in the first place?

Relaxing Rules On Iceland Volcano Ash Clouds: Clearly Putting Money Over Safety

May 19, 2010

Analysis of:Britain Joins Ireland to Relax Rules on Ash Clouds | www.nytimes.com

Britain and Ireland have relaxed the rules governing the closure of their airspace due to volcanic ash.  The "new zone" now allows airlines to fly through areas where ash density exceeds the maximum threshold agreed to by European governments last month.  The volcano will likely continue to periodically steer its ash southeastward over Europe.  No engine modifications have been made.  Nothing has changed except the degree of safety has been lowered.  Clearly, money (lost) is being put first.  

Gulf Oil Rig Disaster -- Grossly Underestimated; Watch Tanker & MS River Traffic

May 11, 2010

Analysis of:Oil spill In Gulf Of Mexico: In Maps And Graphics | news.bbc.co.uk

Much of Louisiana's coastline will see oil come ashore going forward as SE winds up to 30 mph will carry the slick in expanding amorphous circles.  Seas of 5-6 feet will dramatically lower the efficiency of booms.  The oil will very likely go along the SW Pass entrance to the Mississippi River and further west, south and east as winds switch direction and the oil amount will likely continue to increase in size.The impacts have only been one percent of the situation this is likely to become.

The Forecast Mix Of Mr. Naimi, El Nino, An Oil Contango And The H1N1 Flu

September 23, 2009

Analysis of:The Old Man and the Sea of Oil | www.rigzone.com

For many a wrong reason, bulls in crude believe that the “Old Man” (Mr. Naimi) is right (in his saying there has been "a fundamental change" in the oil market) when he says that the global economy is recovering.  In addition, many oil bulls think the “Little Boy” (El Nino) will remain weak this winter despite most forecasts saying it won’t.  To top off the confusing mix of signals, let’s mix in the H1N1 flu. It’s strange, but the mix might be something that needs to go into a risk portfolio.

Natural Gas Decoupling From Crude; Take Chesapeake Energy Comments With A Grain Of Salt, Especially If Long-Range Winter '08 Forecasts Pan Out True

September 24, 2008

Analysis of:Natural Gas Futures Advance As Output Slow To Resume in Gulf | www.bloomberg.com

This article has three main issues: 1) Aubrey McClendon, the CEO of Chesapeake Energy Corp, the second-biggest U.S. independent natural gas producer, says that up to 400 drilling rigs might shut down by the end of 2008; 2) There are worries that natural gas winter supplies will be less than anticipated after hurricanes Ike and Gustav caused havoc in the Gulf.  Even though no winter forecast is given, it will be interesting to note what does happen with natural gas prices especially with a couple of early to mid-Fall and mid-winter Canadian blasts well below normal likely occur; 3) Will natural gas decouple from oil?

Linking Human Activity With Arctic Sea Ice Shrinkage: How Much More Wool Do We Have To Pull Over Our Eyes?

September 17, 2008

Analysis of:Arctic Sea Ice Shrinks To 2nd-Lowest On Record | www.usatoday.com

Human beings boast about having kept sea ice records for just 30 years.  Then we have the audacity to say there is an “alarming trend” of arctic sea ice shrinkage.  The most frightening aspect is that this ‘theory’ that human activity is causing the majority of sea ice shrinkage is going to have a heck of a negative impact on business especially in the energy, insurance, environmental, and financial sectors over the next five years.

Khelil Predicts Oil At $170 By The End Of 2008? Usually I Might Agree, But Not This Time

July 1, 2008

Analysis of:OPEC Leader Khelil Says Dollar Will Drive Oil to $170 | www.bloomberg.com

Chakib Khelil, Algerian Oil Minister and OPEC President, predicts that oil will climb to $170 a barrel by 12/31/08 due to the likelihood that political pressure on Iran as well as other conflicts and turmoil will continue, and on further speculation that the US dollar will see further decline (weakening against the Euro in particular). Khelil, as well as most other OPEC oil ministers, believe that the increasing price of oil is not linked to supply, and that there is more than enough oil in the market to meet the international demand. I have followed Khelil’s public words for over 5 years now, and when he says / forecasts something regarding crude, particularly with regard to its future price, I have calculated that the man is 84% accurate.  So it may be a bit of a surprise that I have to disagree with his prediction of $170 by the end of 2008, especially when it almost seems almost a certainty to some that oil will continue rising.  My commentary explains the logic.

Don't Hold Your Breath Waiting For Mass-Market Hydrogen Car Buyers

June 24, 2008

Analysis of:The Last Car You Would Ever Buy--Literally: Why We Shouldn't Get Excited By The Latest Hydrogen Cars | www.technologyreview.com

If you build it, it’s almost certain the media will come, and they certainly did come in hoards recently to see Honda’s new FCX Clarity.  However, the proposed hydrogen fuel cell economy is a fantasy in the media hype consciousness. Why should oil companies (or government) spend tens of billions of dollars building a hydrogen fueling infrastructure, which at best will take away business from their gasoline sales, and at worst will be a complete business loss, assuming as now seems likely, that hydrogen cars never catch on? Sure, hydrogen can be made from carbon-free sources of power like wind energy or nuclear (but has not so far), but so can electricity for electric cars.  Hydrogen cars are just outright inefficient, very costly and have little to no supporting infrastructure in place compared with electric cars. In two years, GM and Toyota have promised to deliver plug-in hybrids. That will be a real step closer to a future free of petroleum.

Peak Oil: Not A Blessing In Disguise With Regard To Global Warming

June 23, 2008

Analysis of:Global Warming Meets Peak Oil | windnh3.blogspot.com

On the subject of Peak Oil and Global Warming, the article http://windnh3.blogspot.com/search?q=Global+Warming+Meets+Peak+Oil is an intelligent set of ideas on presenting a feasible solution to reversing the energy-climate crisis. 1.  We are at or have already passed the peak of cheap conventional oil production. 2.  There is little realistic prospect that the conventional oil supply can keep up with current projected demand since it is unlikely in the short-term (despite higher gas prices) that industrialized countries won’t take strong action to sharply reduce consumption, and perhaps more unlikely that China & India won't take strong action to sharply reduce consumption growth. 3.  More supply (of oil) is not the answer to our energy-climate crisis. 4.  Two primary solutions to Peak Oil:  fuel efficiency and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles run on zero-carbon electricity.  This is a sane energy policy thacan be a compromise between different groups with different interests.

Is The Weather Channel REALLY A Prized Asset?

April 30, 2008

Analysis of:NBC, CBS seen bidding for Weather Channel | www.msnbc.msn.com

Even if you're one of the less than 3% of people that does not get TWC (The Weather Channel) on one of the average household's multiple TV sets blaring away at any hour of the day or night, TWC is the favored channel at airport screens and even in bars.  And of course the TWC is in many other languages too.  So if you have never seen TWC, you literally have been holed-up in some cave.  TWC is almost as ubiquitous as McDonald’s!  Everybody is talking about TWC.  Everybody wants to own it, now that it is up for sale.  So, surely, TWC is a top dog prize, right?  I might shock you, but I would not be doing my job if I agreed with the majority of TWC fanatics.  

Dow To Surprise, Gaining Ground In Hybrid Acquisitions And Innovative Mergers

December 17, 2007

Analysis of:Dow on the Hunt for Acquisitions | www.icis.com

Dow Chemical is on the prowl.  And it has the confidence of a Tyrannosaurus Rex.  While sources cite Dow's ability to swallow up to 50-60 acquisitions, JVs or divestments, the quantity aspect is really not Dow's main goal.  While quality is more important, this time around, it's a measure of three things:  1) adding strengths to its long-term weakness; 2) processing hybrid mixes; and 3) think Middle East.

Algerian Minister's Words Provide 80% Confidence In OPEC Predictions

December 17, 2007

Analysis of:Crude-Oil Futures Decline On OPEC Comment | www.marketwatch.com

Listen to what Chakib Khelil says:  his words predict the actions at OPEC better than some weather forecasts (excluding AFC's prognostications of course)! Words from OPEC sources almost always stoke a reaction on the Markets worldwide.  For the past 5 years, I have "tracked" important comments from OPEC, and have found some very interesting results.  Most importantly, it is the Algerian Oil Minister, Chakib Khelil, that provides an eighty percent (80%) confidence in saying what OPEC will likely do -- that is, what he has said ahead of an OPEC meeting does occur 80% of the time.

OPEC Will Likely Increase Trading In Other Currencies Because The Dollar's Depreciation Does One Thing OPEC Does Not Want To Do: It Increases Oil Demand

November 21, 2007

Analysis of:Oil Futures Rise Above $98 On Weaker Dollar: Heating Oil Hits New High On Low Inventory And Cold Weather Expectations | www.marketwatch.com

This MarketWatch article is a better report because it does not beat around the bush.  The authors interviewed a professor who had some intelligent things to say.  First, when the dollar loses value, the demand for crude increases which naturally reduces oil supplies, which causes the price of oil to increase.  We have seen from multiple sources in the last few months that OPEC has really not increased supplies -- and it is mainly because they see no need to do so.  Call me sarcastic, but the true face of OPEC is a wolf in sheep's clothing:  its members say they don't forecast a recession in the USA, but they are expecting it to occur.  When oil prices increase and the dollar falls at the same time, economic growth in areas outside of the USA is impacted negatively.  Therefore, with dollar depreciation continuing, look for OPEC to invest less and less in additional capacity, thereby reducing supplies overall, causing prices most likely to escalate in stair-like fashion in 2008.

The WSJ's Two Contrasting Views On The Sustainability Of $100 Oil

November 21, 2007

Analysis of:Why $100 Oil Can't Float | online.wsj.com

First, I strongly do not agree with the article's assumption that oil at $100 is unsustainable.  One-hundred-dollar oil is just another round number, like $70, $80 and $90 -- all so-called "ceilings" of the past that were "incredulously" surpassed when the dollar devalued more, or violence increased more in oil-producing regions of the world, or when OPEC said this or didn't say that.  Granted, $100 oil does have an important psychological emphasis and importance attached to it, but interesting enough, not necessarily because of the fact that we are then talking about "triple-digit" prices (and what that means to the global economy), but possibly more because of the fact that the Goldman Sachs energy report that came out well over a year ago calling for $100 oil (double the price back then) in the near future came true!  In addition, the all-time inflation-adjusted high of $101 a barrel is again -- just another marker on the way up to many more agreeing that Peak Oil is in the past.

What Happens To ADM Regarding Ethanol After The Honeymoon?

November 20, 2007

Analysis of:Ethanol's Uncertain Future Grows Risk For ADM | www.dailyherald.com

When Archer Daniels Midland Co. (ADM) looks at itself in the mirror, it knows itself very well, and foremost, the management knows that its business has had and will continue to have ups and downs, based on commodities, politics, global weather, and a plethora of other risks, some of them not even showing-up on the periscope yet.  My best prediction is that ADM will "weather" the storm of biofuel risk, because as far as I can tell from studying the company for a long time, they know what they are doing.  I have to say it:  America's falling in love with ethanol is akin to a guy or a gal falling in love and proposing marriage after just 2 dates.  Good things sometimes DO come about from irrationality but they are usually accompanied by good luck, cosmic guidance and other intangible stuff that most cannot wrap their arms around.  To the contrary, a very studious strategy is needed to attempt to predict "Part 2" of the ethanol boom (a.k.a., now that the honeymoon period is over).

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