Shell's Arctic Challenger already leaking fluids
While Shell Oil steadfastly maintains that its crew is “Arctic Ready,” the LA Times reports today that one of the major parts of its spill response fleet has been sitting in Bellingham, Washington illegally leaking fluids into the the historic bay.
The spills are just the latest snafu for Shells Arctic Challenger, currently undergoing a desperately rushed rehab at the hands of Superior Energy. The thirty-six year old vessel has repeatedly been unable to meet the Department of Interiors standards for sea-worthiness in the Arctic, and efforts to get it up to code have been met with chaos. This most recent mistep occurred while Superior Energy struggles against the tight deadline imposed by Shell, and theres clearly tension between the two companies. According to one of Murphys sources:
When a Shell corporate observer noticed a sheen on the water and inquired with a Superior Energy manager, he was met with resistance and told it was none of his business and to butt out, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the construction. He insisted it was his business since this project has Shell’s name all over it. There was quite a commotion on the dock.
Shell is recklessly racing against the clock to make up for what Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar yesterday called its lack of mechanical capability.
How much more can the company do to prove that it isnt possible to safely drill in the Arctic?
Dont let Shells incompetent profit grab end the Arctic as we know it. Join us now to #savetheartcic.
