BSSE Approves Shell's Oil Spill Response Plan
By Pete Slaiby, VP Alaska
The Department of Interior's BSEE approves Shell's Oil Spill Response Plan for the Chukchi Sea
We recognize that industry's license to operate in the offshore is predicated on being able to operate in a safe, environmentally sound manner. Shell's commitment to those basic principals is unwavering.
The Department of Interior's Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) approved Shell's Oil Spill Response Plan (OSRP) for the Chukchi Sea. Approval of the Plan is another major milestone on the path to drilling in the Alaska offshore this summer and further validates the huge amount of time, technology, and resources Shell has dedicated to assembling an Arctic oil spill response fleet second to none in the world.
Specifically, Shell's OSRP includes the assembly of a 24/7 on-site, nearshore and onshore Arctic-class oil spill response fleet, collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard on both assets and response planning, and newly engineered Arctic capping and containment systems that will be tested before drilling commences.
"We recognize that industry's license to operate in the offshore is predicated on being able to operate in a safe, environmentally sound manner. Shell's commitment to those basic principals is unwavering. Our Alaska Exploration Plans and Oil Spill Response Plans will continually be guided by our extensive Arctic expertise, solid scientific understanding of the environment and world-class capabilities," said Pete Slaiby, VP Alaska.
Shell has a long history of drilling in the Alaska offshore, and we look forward to building on that history by providing tens of thousands of jobs, new domestic energy and new oil for the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. As we move forward, Shell will continue to work with regulators and the Department of Interior to achieve the final permits needed to begin drilling in July.
The Beaufort Oil Spill Response Plan has been filed and is still being reviewed. It's our understanding that review will be complete in the near future.
SOURCE: The Department of Interior's Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement