Shell gets green light for Chukchi Sea exploration program

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has conditionally approved Shell Gulf of Mexico, Inc.’s revised multi-year Exploration Plan (EP) for the Chukchi Sea.

Among the conditions of approval is the requirement that Shell obtain all necessary permits from other state and federal agencies, including permits to drill from the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) and appropriate authorizations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Another condition of approval prevents Shell from commencing drilling operations until all Biological Opinions under the Endangered Species Act have been issued and requires all operations under the plan comply with the terms and conditions included in those Biological Opinions.

“As we move forward, any offshore exploratory activities will continue to be subject to rigorous safety standards,” BOEM Director Abigail Ross Hopper said.

The EP describes all exploration activities planned by the operator, including the timing of these activities, information concerning drilling vessels, the location of each planned well, and actions to be taken to meet safety and environmental standards and to protect workers, resources, wildlife and access to subsistence use areas. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, the review of the EP included the preparation of an Environmental Assessment and a subsequent Finding of No Significant Impact.

Shell’s revised EP proposes the drilling of up to six wells within the Burger Prospect, located in approximately 140 ft of water about 70 miles northwest of the village of Wainwright. Shell will conduct its operations using the drillship M/V Noble Discoverer and the semi-submersible drilling unit Polar Pioneer, with each vessel providing relief-well capability for the other.

The two drilling units and their supporting vessels will depart the Chukchi Sea at the conclusion of each exploration drilling season.