Individual evaluations, not moratoriums

The National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling has concluded that it is better to evaluate the risk of specific drilling situations rather than to impose blanket drilling moratoriums in response to concerns raised by the Deepwater Horizon disaster.

“We’re recommending that drilling on specific sites be evaluated in terms of the riskiness and preparations to deal with the consequences of that risk in that particular (oil) field,” said Sen. Bob Graham, co-chair of the commission, during a Jan. 11 press conference announcing the publication of the commission’s final report.

And in the Alaska Arctic offshore that would translate to a careful evaluation of drilling risks, but not a blanket drilling moratorium.

“The commission is not asking for a moratorium in Alaska, recognizing that there are very important questions still ahead … to be answered through additional research and additional investment in Arctic-specific technologies,” said Fran Ulmer, chancellor of the University of Alaska Anchorage and a member of the commission.

And the commission’s report reflected that position.

“The need for additional research should not be used as a de facto moratorium on activity in the Arctic, but instead should be carried out with specific timeframes in mind in order to inform the decision-making process,” the report said.

“As the major leaseholder in both the Beaufort and Chukchi seas, we appreciate that the presidential commission considered offshore activities beyond the Gulf of Mexico and agree with the finding that a blanket moratorium is not warranted in the Arctic,” said Shell spokesman Curtis Smith in a Jan. 11 statement responding to the report. “We look forward to achieving a more thorough understanding of the commission’s recommendations and assessing perceived gaps against the unprecedented steps Shell has taken to pursue safe, environmentally responsible exploration in the shallow waters off the coast of Alaska.”

“I commend the ground-breaking work of this national commission, which I hope will lead to the increased safe development of America’s domestic oil and gas resources including those in the Arctic,” said Sen. Mark Begich. “Producing the enormous energy resources available within our borders is vital for our economic and national security, but we must develop these resources in a safe and environmentally responsible manner.”

—Alan Bailey