Administration Gives Conditional Approval for Shell to Drill in Arctic

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration gave conditional approval on Monday for Shell Gulf of Mexico, Inc. to start drilling for oil and gas in the Arctic Ocean this summer.

The approval is a major victory for Shell and the rest of the petroleum industry, which has sought for years to drill in the remote waters of the Chukchi seas, which are believed to hold vast reserves of oil and gas.

'We have taken a thoughtful approach to carefully considering potential exploration in the Chukchi Sea, recognizing the significant environmental, social and ecological resources in the region and establishing high standards for the protection of this critical ecosystem, our Arctic communities, and the subsistence needs and cultural traditions of Alaska Natives,' Abigail Ross Hopper, director of the Interior Department’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, said in a statement. 'As we move forward, any offshore exploratory activities will continue to be subject to rigorous safety standards.'"

Coral Davenport reports for the New York Times May 11, 2015.

SEE ALSO:

"Shell To Resume Arctic Drilling Off Alaska as Green Groups Warn of Disaster" (Guardian)

"Shell's Chukchi Exploration Plan Wins Federal Approval" (Alaska Dispatch News)

"The Many Unknowns of Inevitable Arctic Oil Spills" (InsideClimate News)

"Obama Administration Gives Thumbs Up To Shell’S Arctic Drilling Plans" (FuelFix/Hearst)

"U.S. Gives Conditional OK To Shell Oil For Drilling Off Alaska's Arctic Shore" (NPR)

"Shell Wins Approval to Seek Oil Off Alaska’s Arctic Coast" (Bloomberg)

"Obama Administration Approves Shell's Drilling Plan For The Arctic" (Huffington Post)

"Shell Wins Key Federal Approval for Its Arctic Oil Drilling Plans" (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

"U.S. Government Conditionally Approves Shell Arctic Drilling Plan" (Wall Street Journal)

"Obama Administration Gives Conditional OK To Shell Arctic Drilling Plan" (Los Angeles Times)

"White House to Shell: Arctic Drilling? Go Right Ahead" (Grist)

"Shell’s Oil Rig Is Already Falling Apart — And It Hasn’t Even Left for the Arctic" (Grist)

"Obama OKs Shell's Plan to Drill for Oil in the Arctic" (Mother Jones)