Washington, D.C. — Royal Dutch Shell announced today that in light of disappointing discoveries after its second season of drilling an exploratory well in the Chukchi Sea off the North Slope of Alaska, it would be suspending all future operations in Arctic waters. Center for American Progress Director of Ocean Policy Michael Conathan issued the following statement in response:
Shell’s decision to abandon future drilling operations in the Arctic is a huge win for the Arctic environment, the world’s climate, and for common sense. Shell owns leases on hundreds of other areas in the region. The decision to walk away from a $7 billion investment after one dry well confirms what the environmental community has known for years: Arctic drilling is simply not worth the risk.
For more information on this topic or to speak with an expert, contact Elise Shulman at [email protected] or 202.796.9705.