Arctic Oil Drilling Meets Very High Standards - Obama

© REUTERS / Matt Mills McKnightShellNo flotilla protesters demonstrate in the Puget Sound against the arrival of the Shell Oil Company's drilling rig Polar Pioneer in Seattle, Washington, May 14, 2015
ShellNo flotilla protesters demonstrate in the Puget Sound against the arrival of the Shell Oil Company's drilling rig Polar Pioneer in Seattle, Washington, May 14, 2015 - Sputnik International
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The United States approved a drilling lease for Royal Dutch Shell in the Arctic off the coast of Alaska after holding the oil giant to very high standards to avoid an environmental catastrophe, US President Barack Obama stated at a press briefing on Thursday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — On Monday, the US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) approved Shell’s multi-year exploration plan to drill for oil in the Chukchi Sea off Alaska’s coast.

“Despite the fact that Shell had put in an application for exploration in this region several years ago, we delayed it for a very lengthy period of time until they could provide us with the kinds of assurances that we have not seen before taking account of the extraordinary challenges if, in fact, there were a leak that far north.”

The company received the drilling permission even though it has not operated in the Arctic since 2012 when it faced a number of safety and operation difficulties, including an oil rig running aground.

“Based on those very high standards Shell had to go back to the drawing board, revamp its approach, and the experts at this point have concluded they have met those standards.”

Protesters hold a sign opposing Shell Oil's plan to drill for oil in Arctic waters outside a meeting in Seattle of the Port of Seattle Commission to address the status of a Port lease with Foss Maritime, Tuesday, May 12, 2015, in Seattle - Sputnik International
Environmental Groups Plan to Protest Against Shell’s Arctic Oil Rigs
Numerous environmental organizations have expressed opposition to drilling in the Chukchi Sea, given the region’s unique environment and the technical difficulties of offshore oil and gas extraction in the Arctic.

Environmental groups like Greenpeace, as well as the independent US Arctic Research Commission have argued that environmental cleanup in the Arctic would be extremely difficult given the harsh environment and logistical issues.

The United States has experienced a number of maritime oil and gas disasters, including the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and the 1989 Exxon Valdez crash in Alaska’s Prince William Sound, which left behind long-term environmental destruction and economic hardship.

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