Shell Preparing for Arctic Drilling in 2015

Meta Description: In a news that has shocked many environmental activists,

Shell has earlier announced its plan to execute drilling services in the
Arctic by 2015.
Known as a global petroleum company, Shell is now again proving its
powerful stance in the market as it is set to begin its drilling services in the
Arctic come 2015. In the past, there have already been plans about such but
they have been repeatedly cursed because of different groups trying to block
their way. Now, even in spite of the objections from environmental activists,
Shell seems like more serious with what it intends to do. A proof to their
willingness to tackle every challenge just for the project to push through is
their submission of a comprehensive blue print to the federal regulators.
The Attractiveness of the Arctic
According to experts who conducted the US Geological Survey, it is
estimated that about 13% of the unexplored reserves all over the globe can
be found on the Arctic. Obviously, this seems like the reason why Shell is
eyeing its exploration efforts in the area, even in spite of repeated
expression of objections towards the project from concerned private groups.
For more than ten years now, Shell already has a plan to perform a wide
array of drilling services in the area. The plan is estimated to have a cost
of 6 billon US dollars. To date, however, there has been very little progress.
In the plan that has been submitted by Shell, it was specified that they are
eyeing towards being able to drill up to six wells in the next years, with
concentration in an area known as the Chukchi Sea. Integrated planning and
more stringent marine protocols were also given emphasis on the plan,
recognizing the fact that such are the factors that have initially hindered
them from their exploration efforts when the first plan submitted in 2011 has
been disapproved.
Numerous Oppositions
If there is one thing that the company has to deal with, it would be the fact
that a lot of people are not happy with the plan that they have in hand. Even
site investigation drilling is already being blocked because of the belief that
they will do more harm than good. In fact, a US federal court ruling has been
already issued once declaring that it is illegal to gain access of the
exploration area where they intend to do the environmental investigation
services or the drilling activities.
Among others, Greenpeace is one of the most active groups in expressing
their dismay over the plan of Shell to take advantage of the oil reserves that

are possibly present in the Arctic. According to the organization, even if Shell
has already acquired capital investments necessary to carry out site
investigation drilling the Arctic is an area that is too vulnerable, and even
such a global powerhouse will be incompetent in proceeding with the
exploration. They also added that if the administration of Obama is serious
about it efforts to address climate change, it must be the first one to halt the
move of Shell.
Meanwhile, in spite of all the controversies facing the project, Shell continues
to await federal permits and regulatory approvals. While such is currently
happening, it is believed that it is already working with environmental drilling
companies to help them complete the fleet of machineries they will need. It
has also been reported that they are trying to establish better relationship
with the natives of Alaska, with high hopes that this will gain the support
they need for the project to push through.