A Shell drill ship is being closely monitored after running aground on the Alaskan coast.
The circular vessel, the Kulluk, was being towed from its drill site in the Beaufort Sea to Seattle on the US West coast when it broke free and grounded on the shores of Alaska's Sitkalidak Island. There were no significant injuries to any of the crew members who were later winched to safety.
The drill ship Kulluk grounded off the Alaskan coast Image: |
The good news is that the rig is reported "stable" by recovery crews that have been monitoring the vessel since the accident on New Year's Eve (31 December) 2012. The mixed news is that the rig is "firmly grounded" according to reports which means it is unlikely to break free from its position again, but may make it more difficult to re-float.
According to Shell, the situation is being treated as a "transit" rather than "drilling" incident and more than 600 personnel are involved in the response operation.
The rig still has low-sulphur diesel fuel and hydraulic fluids onboard, but, with a hull designed to operate specifically in the harsh Arctic conditions, there has been no reported escape of any related products as a result of the grounding. Shell and the response authorities have established a website providing the latest news updates.
Unsurprisingly, the accident has provided an opportunity for analysts and the media to re-open the debate about oil exploration in Alaska and dangers to the fragile environment on and around the coastline.