Mon Sep 17, 2012, 05:09 AM

Shell postpones plans to start Arctic drilling until next year

Source: Guardian

Shell has abandoned controversial plans to start drilling for oil in the Arctic this year after a final test of its environmental protection equipment failed to meet the standards required to gain a full drilling permit.

The oil and gas group said a new type of "containment dome" – designed for use in the event of a leaking wellhead – had been damaged during testing.

"During a final test, the containment dome aboard the Arctic Challenger barge was damaged," Shell told investors in an update on Monday morning. "It is clear that some days will be required to repair and fully assess dome readiness."

As a result Shell has been unable to secure a permit to undertake full drilling operations and will have to wait at least until after the Arctic winter to resume its efforts.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/sep/17/shell-postpones-arctic-drilling-next-year

See also earlier news where work was suspended due to a large ice flow :
Shell boss defends Alaska project as ice halts drilling http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014233271

5 replies, 1195 views

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5 replies	Author	Time	Post
Shell postpones plans to start Arctic drilling until next year (Original post)	dipsydoodle	Sep 2012	OP
Translation	bucolic_frolic	Sep 2012	#1
To be honest, the way Mineral Mangement Dept gave away the store to BP	dixiegrrrrl	Sep 2012	#3
Du rec. Nt	xchrom	Sep 2012	#2
( ( ( (Y E A H !!! ) ) )	Auntie Bush	Sep 2012	#4
Woowoo!	Marthe48	Sep 2012	#5

Response to dipsydoodle (Original post)

Mon Sep 17, 2012, 07:24 AM

bucolic_frolic (708 posts)

1. Translation

if rmoney gets in, we won't have any regulations to comply with and
can save money on this stupid equipment that's supposed to protect
the environment

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Response to bucolic_frolic (Reply #1)

Mon Sep 17, 2012, 10:49 AM

dixiegrrrrl (30,795 posts)

3. To be honest, the way Mineral Mangement Dept gave away the store to BP

I am surprised that ANY permits could be denied.

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Response to dipsydoodle (Original post)

Mon Sep 17, 2012, 07:43 AM

xchrom (90,523 posts)

2. Du rec. Nt

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Response to dipsydoodle (Original post)

Mon Sep 17, 2012, 12:01 PM

Auntie Bush (15,250 posts)

4. ( ( ( (Y E A H !!! ) ) )

Polar Bears get to live an extra year before the next oil spill kills them.

If they didn't regulate the Oil Co. ...They would have used that container to protect the Arctic and it would have failed.

I can't fathom the disaster and it's effects on the environment and wildlife. I just wish Obama would forbid ALL oil exploration in the Arctic. But, soooo many organizations for tried to stop it and nothing seems to work.

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Response to dipsydoodle (Original post)

Tue Sep 18, 2012, 09:43 PM

Marthe48 (605 posts)

5. Woowoo!

On the upside, every day they don't drill is a day closer to using solar and wind power! Maybe they'll end up using their oil platforms for polar bear rests, so they stop drowning between ice packs.

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