"Way Cleared for Shell to Start Drilling in Arctic Ocean"

"WASHINGTON — The Obama administration cleared the way on Wednesday for Shell to start drilling in the Arctic Ocean this summer, but the safety restrictions it is imposing could slow the pace at which rigs strike oil.

The authorization was widely expected, after the Interior Department gave conditional approval in May for the company’s long-delayed application to drill in the untouched waters of the Chukchi Sea off Alaska’s northwest coast.

The permit would allow Shell to start drilling at the top of the seabed but would not allow the drill to penetrate into the oil reserves until the company has quick access to equipment called a capping stack, which is used to shut down wells in case of emergency spills."

Coral Davenport reports for the New York Times July 22, 2015.

SEE ALSO:

"U.S. Says Shell Is Not Yet Allowed To Drill in Arctic Oil Zone" (Reuters)

"Obama Administration Greenlights Shell Drilling Off Alaska’s Arctic Coast" (Washington Post)

"Shell Gets Permits for Limited Oil Drilling in Arctic Waters" (AP)

"Interior Allows Shell To Drill in Arctic, With Limits" (Alaska Dispatch News)

"Could Damage To Shell’s Arctic Icebreaker Derail the Firm’S Drilling Plans?" (GreenPeace)