Shell prepares for Chukchi Sea drilling

In early February Ben van Beurden, CEO of Shell, confirmed that his company was moving ahead with plans to restart its exploration drilling in Alaska’s Chukchi Sea during the 2015 summer open water season. In apparent confirmation of that statement notices relating to requests from Shell for some government approvals for its Arctic operations appeared in the Federal Register during the first week of March.

Shell has asked the National Marine Fisheries Service for authorizations for the unintended minor disturbance of marine mammals in the Chukchi and Beaufort seas by aircraft conducting ice overflight surveys during the break up of sea ice in the summer, and during the freeze up that occurs in the winter of 2015-16. The Fisheries Service proposes issuing the authorizations and has asked for public comment.

To observe the freeze up Shell anticipates up to five fixed-wing flights covering a total distance of 1,500 nautical miles in the Chukchi Sea or the Beaufort Sea between June and July. The company also thinks that one helicopter flight covering 200 nautical miles will be required during that same period. Fixed wing flights will mostly be above 500 feet, while the helicopter will fly at altitudes ranging from 50 to 500 feet.

The freeze-up surveys will involve up to seven fixed-wing flights covering about 2,500 nautical miles at altitudes between 100 and 2,000 feet during the early winter. A helicopter will make about four landings to make ice measurements during the late freeze up, Shell has said.

Shell has also asked the U.S. Department of Transportation for permission to use a foreign-flag anchor handling vessel, the Tor Viking, in the Beaufort Sea or Chukchi Sea. Under the U.S. Jones Act Shell cannot use a foreign-flag anchor handler if a suitable U.S.-flag vessel is available. Shell used the Tor Viking, a Norwegian ice breaker and anchor handler, in its 2012 drilling operations in the Chukchi.

- Alan Bailey