Our Pacific Northwest: Shell's Rigs Set Sail for Asia

Our Pacific Northwest

Shell's Rigs Set Sail for Asia

Last month, Empirical brought to light a story circulated by the Associated Press stating the Department of the Interior will review Shell Oil’s 2012 offshore drilling exploits in Alaskan waters. Today, the Anchorage Daily News has reported Shell will tow its two drills used in 2012 to Asia for repair and further inspection. The report speculated the move by Shell indicates major work on the rigs may be necessary, and casts doubts on whether the oil mogul will be able to resume its drilling before season’s end. The AP report last month laid out several problems Shell encountered with its drills last year, including a drill barge which ran aground New Year’s Eve, a drill ship which was found to have numerous safety violations, and an oil barge which did not gain certification before the start of last year’s drilling season. According to the Daily News' report, Shell invested almost $5 billion in leases, oil spill response equipment, and infrastructure. But environmentalists in the region claim the risks are too high and call for all offshore drilling to cease.

Photo Via Anchorage Daily News

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