About Shell in Alaska

We believe Alaska has significant untapped potential and will play an increasingly important role in meeting the energy challenge in the future.  Therefore, we re-entered Alaska in March 2005 by participating in the federal Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Lease Sale 195. The U.S. Minerals Management Service in July 2005 awarded us 84 leases in the Beaufort Sea related to this lease sale.

But there is more to our dedication to Alaska than purchasing leases. When we enter an area to explore and ultimately set up operations, we do so with a clear oil and gas business objective, but we also have two other goals – to protect the environment and to create a positive presence in the community through activities such as workforce development.

The ability to succeed in our exploration hinges on a close working relationship and involvement of key local, national and international stakeholders.

We have already invested extensively to build, refit and refurbish equipment to modern, state-of-the-art standards and train personnel, many of which are local residents, to support offshore activities.

Exploration Activities
In 2006, we acquired the first 3D seismic ever in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas.  In 2007, we performed limited site survey work and seismic activities in the Beaufort Sea. Additional seismic work in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas is also planned.

Commitment to Safety
Safety is our number one priority in all our Alaska operations and comes from building and insisting on a safe culture in all that we do. Shell encourages a "stop" culture in which any employee has the authority to stop a task that is not being conducted in a safe manner.  Intense and frequent training for contractors and employees helps maintain this important atmosphere.