Despite data gaps, U.S. moves closer to drilling in Arctic Ocean
In: Science (Washington). American Association for the Advancement of Science: New York, N.Y. ISSN 0036-8075; e-ISSN 1095-9203, more
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| Keywords |
Arctic Ocean
Oil and gas fields
Marine/Coastal |
| Abstract |
Last week, the Department of the Interior (DOI) conditionally approved Shell Oil Co.'s plans to begin drilling four exploratory wells in the Arctic Ocean in 2012 - a key step toward opening the Alaskan Outer Continental Shelf, one of the world's most pristine and inhospitable marine environments, to oil and gas development. In granting its approval, the DOI's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement claimed it had found no evidence that Shell's proposed action would result in significant environmental harm. Yet a 279-page report published just 2 months ago by the U.S. Geological Survey reveals major uncertainties in the science needed to support oil and gas activities in the region. |
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