Critics say grounding shows Arctic drilling danger
Critics say grounding shows Arctic drilling danger
By DAN JOLING | Associated Press • Published January 02, 2013
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Environmentalists say the grounding of a Royal Dutch Shell PLC drill ship on a remote Gulf of Alaska island shows that oil companies are not ready to drill in Arctic Ocean waters, which are even more remote.
The drill ship Kulluk (CULL'-uck) ran aground in a fierce North Pacific storm Monday night off an uninhabited island near Kodiak.
Marilyn Heiman (HIGH'-man) of the Pew Environment Group says near hurricane-force wind and waves are typical of the North Pacific and the Arctic. She says the conditions and the lack of infrastructure in the north would make marine mammals vulnerable to a petroleum spill.
Shell Alaska spokesman Curtis Smith says the company will learn from the grounding and remains confident that it can operate safely in Arctic conditions.
More: http://www.theolympian.com/2013/01/02/2371085/storm-impedes-salvage-of-grounded.html#storylink=cpy
