Shell's First Arctic Drill Attempt Suffers a Hiccup

A drill-bit from 'Noble Discoverer' touched sea floor in the US Chukchi Sea, but drilling soon had to cease as sea ice began to encroach.

Shell inform:

As a precautionary measure and in accordance with our approved Chukchi Sea Ice Management Plan, Shell has made the decision to temporarily move off the Burger-A well to avoid potentially encroaching sea ice.

Once the ice moves on, the Noble Discoverer will re-connect to anchors and continue drilling. Shell uses a combination of satellite images, radar and on-site reconnaissance to monitor ice movement.

Shell intends to do further exploratory drilling in the Beaufort Sea after they have finished in Chukchi.