Mass of sea ice forces drilling to halt, raises doubts about spill cleanup
Chukchi Sea, Alaska. (Florian Schulz / visionsofthewild.com)
Shell’s vice president of Alaska operations was quoted last Saturday as saying "Happy, happy, happy." Then the ice showed up.
Hours after Shell began drilling in the Artic, operations were forced to shut down to accommodate a drifting 30-mile by 12-mile hunk of sea ice, moving at a rate of a mile every 30 minutes. That’s what ice does in the Arctic—it is unpredictable, unforgiving and moves in with the high winds just in time to ruin a happy day.
A week ago, the Department of the Interior approved drilling in “non-oil-bearing zones” and Shell immediately began drilling its first exploration well in the Chukchi Sea, off the coast of Northern Alaska in the early morning hours of Sunday. The drilling lasted only a few hours before the company took a “precautionary” move and disconnected the drilling rig from the seafloor anchors and temporarily moved the vessel off the well site. One wonders what would happen if such an ice mass moved in while Shell was trying to respond to a major oil spill.
The window for Shell to strike oil this season is rapidly closing as Shell is approved only until Sept. 24 for drilling into the oil-bearing zones. The company has asked for an 18-day extension but Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said that extension decisions won’t happen until after the final permits to drill deeper have been issued.
Drilling deeper this year has not been possible so far because of challenges with the Arctic Challenger, the oil spill response and containment barge, which had been undergoing retrofitting and testing in Washington State for months. Until Shell gets Coast Guard and various agency approvals of this vessel and moves it in place in the Arctic, Shell can’t drill for oil.
The Arctic Challenger left Bellingham, Washington in the middle of the night last week and hasn’t been seen since. Sea testing? On its way to the Arctic while undergoing sea testing? We don’t really know, even though the administration and Shell both promised the communities of the Arctic and the rest of us—transparency.
The latest government approvals to Shell’s ever-changing set of standards, specifically the air pollution and sea-worthiness of vessels, have been made without any public process and in some cases the official documents have only been released to the public after repeated requests. The public has yet to see Shell’s official request to extend the drilling season. That’s about as transparent as the gooey waters of an oil spill.
Earthjustice continues to represent its clients in challenging flawed and unlawful oil-spill response plans, air pollution permits and leases. Our aim remains to protect the pristine American Arctic waters from harmful industrial activities in the short term with a long-term focus of conservation based on best available science.
The implications of a failed Arctic ecosystem will affect us all through the rapid effects of climate change. And there’s nothing “happy, happy, happy” about that.
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Please explain how Romney had anything to do with approving arctic drilling.
As long as people like you blame only the Fascist Republicans or only the Fascist Democrats, then you too are part of the fascist problem.
Definition of madness:
Voting out of fear for the lesser of two evil fascist political parties every two years, while expecting different results.
on the other hand, someone once said: the difference between "good" and "better" is not all that much; the difference between "bad" and "worse" is huge.
So if you think Obama is bad, consider that Romney is worse ... hugely worse. Obama will honor and expand a lot of EPA in his 2nd term and not do so well in other parts of it; Romney may try to delete the EPA or just make it harmless to corporate polluters.
And then let's talk about women's issue, and climate issues, and creating jobs, and keeping Social Security solvent and keeping public schools available (no more voucher schools), try again to find healthy energy alternatives,and..., and..., and......
What happened to the $513 million for Solandra? Oh, Obama got his share of money for his campain. Romney delete the EPA are you really serious, that's the most rediculos statement ever, were did you here that or just make it up like most liberal statements. Obama will OK the keystone pipeline, just wait.
I couldn't have said it any better.
I think it's understandable that not one persons idea defines a parties attitude, but more so the majority backing the same idea. No need to explain how Romney had nothing to do with the artic drilling, but is that to say he never will promote a future drilling exploration? My point is that current conservatives continue to fight for a century old energy source which is also the most pollutant of energy forms rather than evolve towards a clean future.
Well... Romney has repeatedly said he is for much more drilling in the Arctic. That's his connection. He wants lots more drilling. Now as to the other comments You are somewhat correct, yes the fascists exist as both halves of the Party but this person has not said anything about the Party and does not seem to be blaming the Democrats. It is really illogical to say that by blaming either half of the Fascist Party you somehow are part of it, unless you are suggesting a vote for a third party...but that is not very clear. Blaming and criticizing the fascists doesn't make you a fascist even if you vote for the weaker half of the Party. A vote can be a protest. I get your point, though but I would suggest that donating money to either half is a much stronger means of being part of the problem. Expecting the so-called Democrats to do anything for the people is obviously absurd since they are, after all, a firm part of Party politics and participate in exactly the same sort of sliding down the fascist trail as the Republicans.
Yah for ICE......kudos to the God of ICE -- !!
a day late and a dollar short, there is nothing anybody can do to stop what is coming,born in the 60s i was lucky, i'll spend all of my life seeing earth as she takes her last breath,i worry what my sons and ther sons will have to live though, the time for change was the late 1800s when we had to choose which way the car was going to go,,,,,,,we choose poorly,,,,,,,,,,,,,, I'm sorry mother earth you will get better once we die off...
Well, me too kiddo. Don't worry too much about your kids. The people who are working on the new civilization include those who can design homes and transportation systems that do not drag on the climate train. We can redesign our economy to correct for the wild swings in wealth which can put a moron with millions in charge of the largest army the Earth has ever seen. We can get by with less, we can fix the web to work on less and we can try communicating across the globe rather than sending unmanned drones out to "say" it with bombs. This is a great opportunity, rather like when the Mediterranean suddenly was filled up by the Atlantic; many people died but many were able to figure out an approach to survive in the new world. The last time the glaciers melted back we had to change how we hunted and lived and we did, so maybe this time we can learn and survive and try to do it better. Keep good notes on gold leaf paper and leave out all references to "God's Chosen People" so everybody has a fair shot.
hope the ice completely destroys their f$%king rig.
That's an intellegent statement, is that all you got? Shell has plenty of Rigs you moron.
I'm with you.....hope the ice keeps coming.
I love global warming!
big business is run by sociopaths now, its really time to rise up and make needed changes on admin now....before they ruin the earth for all of the rest of us trying to get stupid dollars to hide in a hole again.....
This must be a message from Mother Earth. "Shell Oil and any other drillers in my Arctic waters, keep out". Now we jst need to get this message to our government officials.
We must stop corporate welfare for oil companies. Yes, it will drive up prices at the pump, but it will also make the playing field more level for alternative sources of energy and reduce pollution.
We must also put more pressure on the President and Congress to come up with a sane, practical, realistic energy policy. That our government would approve Shell's drilling in the Arctic is a travesty.
President Obama understands global warming and our future energy needs. We must reelect him. If the economy continues to improve, he'll have the opportunity to lead on energy and environmental issues and maybe get something done.
We do everything we can to defeat the extreme right wing. They'll kill the planet to prove they're right.
You can vote for who ever you want,but as for me,we still want our freedom,he has distroyed this country,he has taken us and made us the criminal because we don't believe in his ways. Yes we must stop Shell Oil and others who continue to distroy Mother Earth,I agree with that 100%,it is our duty to protect Mother,but I will not let anyone take my Freedom,My Flag,My Guns,My land,My Life,my Family,not Man or Beast with out a fight.We want Peace but a Goverment that taken our Great Country and thrown it in the Garbage I have no Respect for.There Greed will be the end of them.So be perpared for what is coming,and it is not good.I Honor my Country,and my Flag,and my Family, and my Freedom. I fought for our Country.I can't believe this is happening,now our own Goverment has turned against the People of this Country,that gave there lives for it,while some stupid people up there try and distroy our Country and our Lives.I guess the saying,( Sure you can trust the Goverment,just ask an Native American.)is true.And I always knew it was.LOL,For give me Father for feeling this way now.Stop Distroying this Mother Earth.That is all I have to say.
Our men and women fought for ALL of our freedoms, not just yours. I also fought (Vietnam) for everyones freedom, that why we call it America. A vote for Obama means are freedom will be diminished.
Geez, I'm not sure who you hate most! Maybe yourself??
Now you my have heard this before, but If you stop watching the Glen Beck show I guarantee you'll be off your heart medication within a week. You know..the whole governemnt take over conspiracy is done with alright. If you prefer to not follow the actions of pollitical leaders and make up your own conclusions you're doing no favors for yourself or anyone else. I'm in my mid 40's and since I was old enough I've voted in every presidential election. The more impressive string though is how NONE of the prior presidents ever threatened to take away my freedon, flag, family, or anything else special you listed. One very important thing when deriving an opinion is that you have information (facts) supporting your stories. And how has the government turned against the country? You know you can get involved and write your congressman, you can attend public discussions. The government suceeds only if the people of the country do, so to believe that they are two separate entities not reliable on one another is false. Lybia, now there is a government that turned on its people. By the way...thanks for your service to the country Mr Eagle.
Big oil DOES NOT President Obama to get re-elected. Is it any wonder that (despite record breaking profits almost EVERY quarter!) gas prices at the pump are ecalating weekly?
They KNOW that despite his having absolutley having NO LEGAL CONTROL over what they charge (or the mystery of these hikes. Sorry, don't EVEN understand the lack of "windprofit taxes") that the American people will blame HIM!!!
Some will vote against him only in protest to these disgusting manipulations of the per gallon hikes.
JohnChene88
Ask any liberal, George Bush fault
That's the price you pay for ignorance. The trouble is, if there's enough of them, they drag us all along with them.
If only everyone undertsood this, we'd have no problems!!! You are so on target!! They care nothing for this planet, and refuse to see the truth, just sop that they can stuff their own pockets!! Reminds me of the saying, "What gaineth a man if he sells his soul for riches?"
I believe a more accurate version of that saying is: "For what benefit will it be to a man if he gains the whole world but forfeits his soul? or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" This is a quote from the Bible by Jesus Christ himself. Indeed, there is no amount of money that can buy back a dead soul; so the amassing of riches is vanity! But Jesus did say, "Rather, store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes, and where thieves do not break in and steal." In the judgment to come the rich will throw their money in the streets because it will not buy them salvation.
The good news is they stopped drilling for now, the bad is they'll resume without learning any lessons(as did BP)!!
Drilling for oil and gas only exists because of the tax incentives we all shoulder for the industry from the small operator up to the Shells and BPs of the world. Jerk the incentives--all of 'em. They are the center of all the turmoil and corruption in our government and the current election process. We are all paying for the subsidies that support their sloppy operations, and until we force our elected officials to stop the subsidies it will continue. As one small operator on the Allegheny National Forest said, "We can't lose money; even when we drill a non-producing well".
Lots of good questions here but where are the answers? Such as, why is Shell approved for and drilling for oil in non oil bearing territory?
The earth is over populated with people and we are destroying the land, trees, ice lands for the animals. It is time for two people to be allowed only two children unless they pay more taxes to keep having more, and more children. If they cannot prove they are able to have more children there are things that can be done to stop the reproduction. We are running out of space.
You're right on, I agreed.
Too many people! Let's stop having so many two is more then enought. The more children the more tastes you pay
Or the more your gov checks are cut.
Hello Annatte,
I've been saying exactly what you're saying for years. Population explosion is the driving force behind the need to harvest more and more natural resources, to destroy more forests in order to plant and grow more food, to exhaust our ocean's supply of fish, to drill for more oil, to dig for more coal, to burn more wood, to use more chemicals to manufacture more products, to drive more cars and to fly more planes and to build more gigantic tankers....etc. We've got to stop and reverse population growth. The earth has given up enough of itself. I can't understand why this isn't the number one issue that's talked about. Something has to be done to make people see this.
Diane
for all you people of the " DEPOPULATION CLUB " i have plenty of rope for to start hanging yourselves first !
No heavy-handed legislation is necessary (and advocating it will backfire as people get angry about their rights). It's more effective to educate, educate, educate, especially women. Give them books, give people careers. Create great condos in the city with nice parks. Make sure *everyone* who wants it has access to birth control, and all teens are educated early on about birth control. Then people choose to have fewer kids.
OK, I would be fine with it if we get rid of the tax breaks for those who have kids, but it wouldn't really change people's decisions when they are conceiving children.
People change when they want to change, and it's been proven without a doubt that education and opportunity lead to low birth rates. Education should also lead to people caring about the environment also, so so it's a win-win.
If you want people to STOP having so many children (and it MUST be voluntary!), you need to talk to the Catholic Church. Most Hispanics are Catholic and (besides the rich, like Romney) are told that THEY WILL GO TO HELL for using Birth Control. But, good luck getting anywhere. That's the only way they can keep their "membership" from decreasing!
JohnCheney88
Thank you Annatte, for pointing out the giraffe in the room!! Nature will ALWATS win to make balance!! And if it has to wipe out millions at a time by plague, famine, drought, or whatever, it will WIN!! We are surely courting our own extinction!!! Let's pray that nukes aren't the next leveler!!! So, how do we get the countries of the world on board? You'd have a better chance of selling ice to the Eskimo's now, that the ice caps are melting!!
Lots of good questions here but where are the answers? Such as, why is Shell approved for and drilling for oil in non oil bearing territory?
The earth is over populated with people and we are destroying the land, trees, ice lands for the animals. It is time for two people to be allowed only two children unless they pay more taxes to keep having more, and more children. If they cannot prove they are able to have more children there are things that can be done to stop the reproduction. We are running out of space.
Lots of good questions here but where are the answers? Such as, why is Shell approved for and drilling for oil in non oil bearing territory?
The earth is over populated with people and we are destroying the land, trees, ice lands for the animals. It is time for two people to be allowed only two children unless they pay more taxes to keep having more, and more children. If they cannot prove they are able to have more children there are things that can be done to stop the reproduction. We are running out of space. When my Mother had to go the emergency room she have had to wait seven (7) hours while having heart attacks because there were no beds for her due to the Illegal Aliens having all their babies here in Austin, Texas. They get "free" hospital because the hospital cannot turn them away. They depend on us taxpayers to pay for it, SNAP for more food, their bigger Welfare Checks, free formular, milk and cheese from WIC, free schooling, no taxes since they are paid under the table, they don't have to carry insurance or vehicle insurance and get free housing here is Austin, Texas. They are rude, cut in line at the stores and they all have cell phones, big nice cars and trucks to go pick up their free food. No wonder they want toi come here, everything is free! If they cannot learn English after a year and do not become a citizen like everybody else, they should be cut off from all welfare and I am not just talking about those who sneak over from Mexico, I mean all Illegal Aliens. I do not have a problem with them if they want to be legal citizens, work, speak English, and pay their FAIR share of taxes. I am tired of supporting them; are you?
Actually, they pay ALL the taxes you do. Sales tax, gas tax, real estate tax. Most have false SS #s, so they pay payroll and income taxes that they will never get back. Their contribution goes to pay our benefits.
The real financial crisis is caused by the people who write the checks. They figured out over the last three decades or so that without unions they can simply pay workers less and keep more for themselves. It is not that they are smarter, or working harder, or creating more jobs - just that they control the check book. That's their job, like the factory worker makes things - owners and managers pay the bills. They are cheating and failing in their responsibilities.
Reducing money paid to others and keeping if for yourself just because no one is there to stop you is called stealing.
Now, if you don't have a strong proactive government to tax and redistribute the hoarded wealth - the flow of money slows down and eventually the system crashes. It's like bleeding a body dry. Eventually the heart stops.
Wages or taxes. Can't have a healthy economy without one or the other.
You sound like a racist. Open your Christian heart. We should give them
citizenship so they do pay taxes and start contributing to "your"social
security and future S.S.. We need a new influx of immigrants to keep the system working. The immigrants I see work their butts off.
Lots of good questions here but where are the answers? Such as, why is Shell approved for and drilling for oil in non oil bearing territory?
The earth is over populated with people and we are destroying the land, trees, ice lands for the animals. It is time for two people to be allowed only two children unless they pay more taxes to keep having more, and more children. If they cannot prove they are able to have more children there are things that can be done to stop the reproduction. We are running out of space. When my Mother had to go the emergency room she have had to wait seven (7) hours while having heart attacks because there were no beds for her due to the Illegal Aliens having all their babies here in Austin, Texas. They get "free" hospital because the hospital cannot turn them away. They depend on us taxpayers to pay for it, SNAP for more food, their bigger Welfare Checks, free formular, milk and cheese from WIC, free schooling, no taxes since they are paid under the table, they don't have to carry insurance or vehicle insurance and get free housing here is Austin, Texas. They are rude, cut in line at the stores and they all have cell phones, big nice cars and trucks to go pick up their free food. No wonder they want toi come here, everything is free! If they cannot learn English after a year and do not become a citizen like everybody else, they should be cut off from all welfare and I am not just talking about those who sneak over from Mexico, I mean all Illegal Aliens. I do not have a problem with them if they want to be legal citizens, work, speak English, and pay their FAIR share of taxes. I am tired of supporting them; are you?
All the comments here make us feel good, but we must start working together to help stop global warming. Find others in your community who think like you do. Form groups who meet and form plans to start community gardens, recycle plans for trash, and car pooling. Also as a group support those business that will us less polluting methods in the production and distribution of their products. For it is the combined effort of many that true change will start to happen. We must start working together locally to effect globally.
For it is our children that will inherit the world we leave them!
We only have one planet earth. Let's keep our planet not only safe for people but safe for a diversity of species that make up the web of life. I am cutting down on car driving by walking and taking public transportation. I am working on developing a plan so that I can get by with a Zip car when I can't use public transportation.
Boycott Shell and Stop and Shop for supporting them.
Perhaps this is ignorance speaking, but it feels like we, the end users, are the cause of global warming and possibly our own demise.
It's truly a shame that we're taking other life on this planet along with us. We act as if the polar bear, the whale, the forest and the ocean is an enemy keeping us from an energy source. An energy source which has been confirmed will not last long even if found and is poisoning us.
What if we found other means of obtaining energy that didn't require oil. I'm a strong believer in solar energy as the sun has about 4 1/2 billion years left of fusion energy - why not use that?
Please everybody follow up on Christine's suggestion - this is something we can all do. There are many other reasons to boycott Shell anyway, especially their destruction of Nigeria's democracy and sharing of oil wealth. Nigeria used to send many students to our country with scholarships from the oil wealth, benefiting both Nigerians and Americans. Shell pushed for and got a fascist takeover and the end to that program, with crushing poverty immediately surrounding the oil exploitation areas.
Thank you for sharing that piece about Nigeria. Not many people are aware of the repercussions of Shell. The poverty in Nigeria is so unwarranted when their oil is enriching the bottom line of Shell.
Boycott Shell and Stop and Shop for supporting them.
please pardon my ignorance, what role does Stop & Shop have? Who are they supporting?? I'd appreciate any information
Mother Nature's way of rebelling. What a sad world we live in when profit margins mean more than nature, wildlife and the enivronment. Did anyone see Shell's profit last year? Personally, I will drive miles to another gas station rather than give Shell one cent of my money.
I'm astonished that drilling is even permitted in one of the most unstable earthquake zones on the planet.
Having just watched the old A&E special on the Titanic last night, the hubris Shell is displaying w/re to unpredictable events, such as ice floes and quakes, is stunning. And we don't need regulation?
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