Tag: Beaufort Sea

The rig tapped to embark on Shell's Arctic drilling programme set sail for the Beaufort Sea this week, as the Anglo-Dutch supermajor moved a step closer to launching its exploration plan off Alaska. The Conical Drilling Unit Kulluk departed on its two-week journey from Dutch Harbour on Monday, but delays related to lingering sea ice and permitting issues have already forced Shell to scale back its plans for the year in the Arctic. Shell is now reportedly planning to drill just two wells this summer. At the forefront of the delays is the completion of a containment system in the case of Shell losing control of one of its wells.