Shell, UA discuss Arctic research work

Conversations included students, professors from International Arctic Research Center, School of Fisheries and Ocean Science

Jeannette J. Lee

Associated Press Business Writer

Officials with Royal Dutch Shell met Monday, March 24 with academics at the University of Alaska to learn more about research the university is conducting.

The international oil company is expanding its presence in Alaska as it pursues offshore drilling projects, placing a growing number of personnel in its Anchorage offices and strengthening ties with the public university system.

During the meet-and-greet in Fairbanks, Shell shared some of its Arctic research with department heads to see whether any projects might overlap with work being done at the university, said company spokesman Curtis Smith.

The sessions gave Shell a “great introduction” to the capabilities of the university in the areas of engineering, research and development, Smith said in an e-mail.

After a 10-year absence from Alaska’s lucrative oil scene, Shell is pursuing exploratory drilling projects in the Chukchi and Beaufort seas and is considering another in the Bering Sea. Environmentalists and some fishing and Alaska Native groups oppose the drilling, saying it could harm commercial and subsistence fisheries, as well as marine mammals and other wildlife.

At the meetings with university officials March 24 were Susan Moore, Alaska operations manager of Shell Exploration and Production, Victoria Broje, a spill response specialist and environmental scientist, and three other researchers and engineers, according to the university.

Talks included students, professors

“We had a full day of very exciting dialogue,” said Emily Drygas, a senior development officer at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. “The discussion was really open and really positive.”

But the meetings produced some dissent. Longtime oil industry critic and University of Alaska professor Rick Steiner was excluded because of what he said was his history of criticizing Shell’s plans in Alaska.

“Alaskans know well the corrupting influence of oil money behind closed doors,” Steiner said. “It is very troubling that the state’s public university system is now being drawn into such non-transparent dealings with the oil industry.”

Drygas said Steiner’s request to be included simply came too late.

“He called late on Friday afternoon and asked if he could be part of the agenda and I let him know we were already set,” said Drygas.

The daylong informational tour did not include any discussions of possible funding for research, scholarships or other financial involvement by Shell, said university spokeswoman Carla Browning.

“My understanding is that they are really just sharing information,” she said. “If the discussions lead to financial support that is aligned with the university’s mission, it may be considered.”

The university and the Dutch-owned oil giant have already collaborated on at least one project.

Earlier in March they co-sponsored a forum on oil and fishing interests in the Bering Sea. The public meeting at the Anchorage Marriott Hotel was funded by $25,000 from Shell and $20,000 from the university.