In response to the US Department of
Interior’s approval of Shell Oil’s Chukchi Sea drilling lease, Greenpeace Arctic
campaigner Ian Duff said:
“It’s an indefensible decision. The Arctic is melting rapidly because of
climate change. But instead of seeing it as a warning, Shell sees profit. It
wants to drill for more of the stuff that caused the melting in the first
place. And all the evidence shows Shell can’t drill safely in the Arctic. The
extreme conditions means it’s when, not if, a spill will happen.
On 29 January 2015, Royal Dutch Shell confirmed that it intends, subject to regulatory approval, to resume its US Arctic drilling programme at a cost for 2015 of at least $1bn. To date, Shell's Arctic programme has been a failure despite capital expenditure in excess of $6bn. 2012's drilling season beset by multiple operational failings was followed by a 'pause' for 2013 and a forced reversal of 2014 plans because of a US court decision.
Fossil fuel companies are increasingly coming under pressure from investors. Together with Platform and ShareAction we have worked to challenge the industry's business model for several years. We have developed a unique risk matrix that allows us to analyse macroeconomic risks as well as technical, legal and regulatory challenges in high risk projects, such as offshore Arctic drilling.
In response to Shell’s announcement
it intends to drill in the Alaskan Arctic this year if it gets the right
permits, Charlie Kronick, campaigner at Greenpeace said:
Last night the operator of Shell’s two Arctic drilling rigs employed in
2012, pleaded guilty to eight felony charges for environmental and safety
violations during that operation. Noble Drilling has agreed to pay $12.2
million dollars in fines and community service payments.
It’s a bad day for Shell! If you opened the Metro,
Independent or Telegraph newspaper this morning, you’re one of two million
people who saw our counter-ad against the Arctic oil drillers.
