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
= new reply since forum marked as read
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.
