Shell eyes July start for Arctic work

USA

DUTCH HARBOR, June 30, 2015 – Shell could begin its Arctic drilling campaign as early as the third week of July, when the company expects sea ice to begin to clear off the coast of Alaska.

Transocean’s Polar Pioneer drill rig arrived at Dutch Harbor in the Aleutian Islands on Saturday morning, a company spokesman said.

The rig, contracted by Shell, will remain at Dutch Harbor until ice begins clearing at the targeting drilling sites in the Chukchi Sea.

In May, the super-major won approval from theThe Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to resume its Arctic exploration on July 15.

Shell is exploring the Burger prospects, located in the US maritime economic zone off the northwest coast of Alaska. The summer campaign will involve two rigs and 25 support vessels.

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