Shell Oil has overcome the final hurdle in its plans for exploratory drilling in the Arctic.
The U.S. Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement approved Shell’s final drilling permits, and the company can now begin drilling exploration wells this summer in the American portion of the Chukchi Sea north of Alaska.
For the moment Shell can begin drilling, but not down to the level of oil and gas, That has to wait until the arrival of the M.V Fennica, the ice breaker carrying the required capping stack for the wells. The ship has been undergoing repairs in Portland Oregon to its damaged hull.
Shell will also only be allowed to drill one well at a time.
A U.S. report for the federal government found there is a very high risk of an oil spill if drilling proceeds in the Arctic. Even though the report estimates a 75 percent probability of a large spill, the Bureau said it felt Shell was able to adequately respond should a spill occur.
Ill-prepared for Arctic spills
Robert Huebert, associate- professor of Political Science at the University of Calgary was interviewed by CBC in May. He said that the speed at which Shell was given approval compared to the resistance of pipeline projects such as the Keystone XL project shows, there is more than just the environment and/or oil and gas riches at stake.
He says in geopolitical terms, the drilling presence is also a statement of claim to resources in the Arctic. He adds that while environmentalists insist no drilling should take place, that is not the attitude of countries, including Russia, Norway, Greenland and others. He says for politicians it was never a question of “if” drilling should be allowed, but rather “when”.
Friends of the Earth Climate Campaigner Marissa Knodel issued the following response to the final approval for Shell to begin drilling:
Today’s approval ignores Shell’s dismal record of safety violations and undermines President Obama’s pledge to combat climate change. With this decision, President Obama has given Shell an open invitation to turn the Chukchi Sea into an energy sacrifice zone, threatening both the resilience of the American Arctic Ocean and his climate legacy. Shell will pollute the environment, threaten endangered species, impair the subsistence practices and livelihoods of coastal communities, and take us further down the path of climate disruption. Regardless, the fight to keep the Arctic Ocean off limits to Big Oil is not over, and climate activists will not let our future be dictated by Shell. The original oil and gas lease sale and Shell’s exploration plan violate the law and President Obama’s promise to leave a safe and healthy environment for future generations. President Obama should know better — Shell has no business in our Arctic Ocean and the only path to a safe climate future is to leave Arctic Ocean oil and gas in the ground. President Obama will bear responsibility for the damage that Shell wreaks in the Arctic.
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