ACMP review of Shell’s Chukchi plan out

The Alaska Coastal Management Program review of Shell’s 2010 Chukchi Sea drilling plan is out for public comment, with comments due on or before Dec. 22 and a final determination to be issued by Jan. 11. The 50-day review began Nov. 23.

The U.S. Minerals Management Service has not yet approved Shell’s plans, which will occur on outer continental shelf federal leases.

Shell proposes to conduct exploration drilling in 2010 some 60 miles offshore in the Chukchi Sea OCS on seven lease blocks within three prospects known as Burger, Crackerjack and Southwest Shoebill.

A maximum of three wells would be drilled on five proposed sites, with the actual order of drilling controlled by interplay between actual ice conditions immediately prior to a rig move; ice forecasts; any agency restrictions on operating windows; whether the drilling involved the shallow non-objective section of the hole or penetrating potential hydrocarbon zones; availability of approved shallow hazards clearance; anticipated length of drilling activity and results of any preceding wells — any of which could cause a planned activity to be altered at short notice.

Shell said in its application that drilling would begin on or about July 4 and all drilling activities would be complete by Oct. 31.

Application materials and the ACMP review packet are available at ftp://ftp.dnr.state.ak.us/dcom/Shell2010ChukchiEP/.

—Petroleum News