Royal Dutch Shell halted drilling in the Chukchi Sea on Monday, one day after it began, because of sea ice moving toward the company’s drill ship off Alaska.
Shell Alaska spokesman Curtis Smith told The Associated Press that drilling was stopped for safety reasons.
“As a precautionary measure and in accordance with our approved Chukchi Sea Ice Management Plan, Shell has made the decision to temporarily move off the Burger-A well to avoid potentially encroaching sea ice,” he said by email. “Once the ice moves on, the Noble Discoverer will re-connect to anchors and continue drilling.”
The company’s Burger Prospect is 70 miles off the northwest coast of Alaska.
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