Equatorial Guinea and oil

[Edd.Kray at rf_doe.gov]

I came across a story in this mornings newspaper that really caught my
attention as a killiekeeper. It is entitled " US taps W.Africa oil boom"
and is distributed by AP, so its probably in your towns paper too. It
describes the manner in which our oil companies are taking a very big
interest in west Africa and expanding their holdings and drilling
massively. It describes intentions for increasing our production of W
African oil to 25% of the US total. (from the current 15%) by 2015. They
pay particular attention to Equatorial Guinea where they say: "The booming
backwater is surpassing Saudi Arabia in oil exports to the United States."
Thanks to this oil boom Equatorial Guinea is described as "one of the
worlds fastest growing economies, at a staggering 65% a year". It also
describes a petroleum pipeline "now inching its way across West Africa's'
Cameroon" and making up the two largest U.S. capital investments ever in
sub-Saharan Africa.

For those of us who realize that habitat is the key to any species
survival, this is a major concern. I am curious if any of you out there
have any more detail on the locations of these developments. They do
mention that much of the development is offshore and that's somewhat
mitigating. As something that could have such devastating effects on
killie-habitat I think we need to track this and continually assess its
effect on the numerous species that may be affected.

Comments and additional info?

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