Shell one step closer to Arctic offshore drilling

Federal officials reaffirmed Royal Dutch Shell’s 2008 offshore oil and gas lease north of Alaska, bringing the company a significant step closer to drilling.

The affirmation of the Bush administration’s lease by the Interior Department came over the objection of environmentalists and wildlife advocates who say that any drilling in the delicate Arctic Ocean would hurt the environment and ecosystems.

{mosads}It means that Interior can start its formal process to review Shell’s plans for an exploratory well in the Chukchi Sea, just over two years after Shell’s last botched attempt to drill there resulted in its rig running aground during a severe December storm.

“The Arctic is an important component of the administration’s national energy strategy, and we remain committed to taking a thoughtful and balanced approach to oil and gas leasing and exploration offshore Alaska,” Interior Secretary Sally Jewell said in a statement.

“This unique, sensitive and often challenging environment requires effective oversight to ensure all activities are conducted safely and responsibly,” she continued.

Shell wants to resume drilling this summer, but the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement and other federal agencies will have to approve its plan first.

The agencies have said that they’ll be extremely cognizant in their review of the 2012 failures and institute requirements on any drilling that would reduce the chances of problems, like a nearby rig for relief wells.

The 2008 lease was challenged in federal court, which sent it back to the agency for review.

Environmental groups lamented Interior’s reaffirmation.

“Today’s announcement is both expected and disappointing,” Susan Murray, a vice president at Oceana, said in a statement. “The Obama administration has steadfastly refused to fully and fairly evaluate the risks of selling leases in the Chukchi Sea and, instead, treats the leases sold in 2008 as if they’re set in stone.”

“We are disappointed in Interior’s rushed lease sale decision,” Erik Grafe, an attorney with Earthjustice, said in a statement. “Interior still has time to make a better decision when evaluating Shell’s drilling plan, and we sincerely hope it says no to Shell’s louder, bigger, and dirtier tactics, loaded with potential environmental harm.”