The Ever-Shifting Sea Ice: Arctic Drilling Postponed Until 2013
As Royal Dutch Shell announced today that it would postpone its Arctic oil drilling operations until 2013, the Center for American Progress released the following statement from Michael Conathan, Director of Ocean Policy:
"Ever-shifting sea ice and technical challenges have proven too much for Shell, bearing out predictions that the Arctic is simply too volatile to allow for safe drilling operations. Shell’s inability to get its own equipment in order, despite a massive investment of time and money, should give pause to any company with similar plans, and the same challenges will remain next year. Until we develop adequate safeguards and sufficient response infrastructure to manage and support drilling operations, the Arctic should remain off limits to drilling."
As offshore oil drilling edges ever closer to becoming a reality in the Arctic Ocean, the Center for American Progress examines the region’s lack of readiness in the event of a spill in its recent video presentation:
Editor's Note, part of Shell Oil's statement :
"The time required to repair the dome, along with steps we have taken to protect local whaling operations and to ensure the safety of operations from ice floe movement, have led us to revise our plans for the 2012-2013 exploration program. In order to lay a strong foundation for operations in 2013, we will forgo drilling into hydrocarbon zones this year. Instead, we will begin as many wells, known as ‘top holes,’ as time remaining in this season allows. The top portion of the wells drilled in the days and weeks ahead will be safely capped and temporarily abandoned this year, in accordance with regulatory requirements. We look forward to the final receipt of our drilling permits for the multi-year exploration program upon the successful testing and deployment of the Arctic Containment System."
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