Protestors Challenge Shell's Arctic Plans

Environmental and native Alaskan groups have again attempted to block Royal Dutch Shell's plans for exploratory oil drilling near the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, writes Associated Press.

During the summer, the supermajor was given the go ahead by the US Minerals Management Service to drill up to 12 exploratory wells in the Beaufort Sea off the northern coast of Alaska.

But the groups have asked the US federal court of appeals to block the programme, claiming that the mineral agency did not fully consider the impact of drilling on endangered bowhead whales and other marine mammals.

Shell's lawyers say the company has conducted a thorough environmental analysis and measures are already in place to protect whales and other wildlife.

In August, environmental protestors successfully obtained a US Federal Appeals Court ban on drilling, claiming it would disturb migrating bowhead whales.

Shell has proposed a three-year Plan of Exploration (POE) from 2007-2009 on leases for the Alaskan Beaufort Sea that includes a proposal for drilling three wells at their Sivulliq prospect.

By staff writer