Today the Department of Interior announced it will allow Shell to begin “limited prepatory activities” in the Chukchi Sea. This will allow Shell to begin work on a mud-line cellar and install two segments of pipe which will help in installing the blowout preventer.
The window of opportunity to perform these activities is extremely small on the Chukchi Sea and it’s important that Shell be able to continue to move forward. Today is an important step in the development of a major offshore resource that will benefit our economy and create jobs.
As Shell continues to move forward with this project we are hopeful that the Department of Interior and other government agencies will recognize the need to approve future permits in a timely manner. By moving faster it will enable these valuable resources to come online faster without delay and create thousands of jobs in the process.
Ross Eisenberg is vice president of energy and resources policy, National Association of Manufacturers.
