JYohe, if not mistaken, the reason the rig was so far out in the Gulf/deeper water was due to public pressure to not drill closer inshore in the event such a catastrophe happened. BP was not allowed to get a permit to drill closer to shore and as such had to drill that deep in the Gulf. There are rigs further out and deeper as we speak all drilling up a storm. The oil companies are not happy about the permit requirements, but do what they must to get the oil to the consumers. They know that drilling a such depths is riskier and more costly. Still, they are not allowed to drill closer to shore by virtue of their permit stipulations. Now, please do not mistake my post as coddling up to the Oil and Gas companies. Regardless of where they are permitted to drill I feel it is their responsiblity to keep their equipment and fail safes up to speed with respect to this situation. Criminal intent/negligence may still come up on this issue. This is a blow we will all be experiencing for several years, both ecologically and financially I am sure.

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