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'Another Arctic Victory' as Norwegian Oil Giant Abandons Offshore Leases
Following Shell's departure, Statoil will stop looking for oil in Alaska's Chukchi Sea
Nov 17, 2015
Norweigan oil company Statoil on Tuesday announced that, following in the footsteps of Royal Dutch Shell, it too would end its Arctic oil exploration program.
Although their terms do not expire until 2020, the oil giant is abandoning 16 Statoil-operated leases, and its stake in 50 leases operated by ConocoPhillips, all in Alaska's Chukchi Sea. No wells were ever drilled.
"Since 2008 we have worked to progress our options in Alaska. Solid work has been carried out, but given the current outlook we could not support continued efforts to mature these opportunities," says Tim Dodson, executive vice president for exploration in Statoil, in a press statement.
Environmental groups have for years waged a fierce campaign against drilling in the Arctic, highlighting the dangers it poses to the pristine ecosystem as well the inevitable contribution to global warming through the burning of even more fossil fuels.
Shell's decision to end its Arctic exploration program in September was met with relief and delight from campaigners and Tuesday's Statoil announcement was heralded with similar expressions of glee:
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Lauren McCauley
Lauren McCauley is a former senior editor for Common Dreams covering national and international politics and progressive news. She is now the Editor of Maine Morning Star. Lauren also helped produce a number of documentary films, including the award-winning Soundtrack for a Revolution and The Hollywood Complex, as well as one currently in production about civil rights icon James Meredith. Her writing has been featured on Newsweek, BillMoyers.com, TruthDig, Truthout, In These Times, and Extra! the newsletter of Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting. She currently lives in Kennebunk, Maine with her husband, two children, a dog, and several chickens.
Norweigan oil company Statoil on Tuesday announced that, following in the footsteps of Royal Dutch Shell, it too would end its Arctic oil exploration program.
Although their terms do not expire until 2020, the oil giant is abandoning 16 Statoil-operated leases, and its stake in 50 leases operated by ConocoPhillips, all in Alaska's Chukchi Sea. No wells were ever drilled.
"Since 2008 we have worked to progress our options in Alaska. Solid work has been carried out, but given the current outlook we could not support continued efforts to mature these opportunities," says Tim Dodson, executive vice president for exploration in Statoil, in a press statement.
Environmental groups have for years waged a fierce campaign against drilling in the Arctic, highlighting the dangers it poses to the pristine ecosystem as well the inevitable contribution to global warming through the burning of even more fossil fuels.
Shell's decision to end its Arctic exploration program in September was met with relief and delight from campaigners and Tuesday's Statoil announcement was heralded with similar expressions of glee:
Lauren McCauley
Lauren McCauley is a former senior editor for Common Dreams covering national and international politics and progressive news. She is now the Editor of Maine Morning Star. Lauren also helped produce a number of documentary films, including the award-winning Soundtrack for a Revolution and The Hollywood Complex, as well as one currently in production about civil rights icon James Meredith. Her writing has been featured on Newsweek, BillMoyers.com, TruthDig, Truthout, In These Times, and Extra! the newsletter of Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting. She currently lives in Kennebunk, Maine with her husband, two children, a dog, and several chickens.
Norweigan oil company Statoil on Tuesday announced that, following in the footsteps of Royal Dutch Shell, it too would end its Arctic oil exploration program.
Although their terms do not expire until 2020, the oil giant is abandoning 16 Statoil-operated leases, and its stake in 50 leases operated by ConocoPhillips, all in Alaska's Chukchi Sea. No wells were ever drilled.
"Since 2008 we have worked to progress our options in Alaska. Solid work has been carried out, but given the current outlook we could not support continued efforts to mature these opportunities," says Tim Dodson, executive vice president for exploration in Statoil, in a press statement.
Environmental groups have for years waged a fierce campaign against drilling in the Arctic, highlighting the dangers it poses to the pristine ecosystem as well the inevitable contribution to global warming through the burning of even more fossil fuels.
Shell's decision to end its Arctic exploration program in September was met with relief and delight from campaigners and Tuesday's Statoil announcement was heralded with similar expressions of glee:
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