Shell Oil again delays drilling in Arctic waters

9/18/2012

HOUSTON — Shell Oil Co. said Monday that it had delayed drilling for oil in Alaskan Arctic waters after a spill containment dome was damaged during a testing accident.

Shell’s six-year, $4.5 billion effort to drill off the Alaska coast was further delayed by at least a year.

Shell had expected to receive all the necessary permits to drill up to five wells this summer and fall, but equipment problems and persistent sea ice forced the company to cut back its program repeatedly.