RDC NEWS DIGEST
Shell gets award for science
The Alaska SeaLife Center honored Shell Alaska with an Alaska Ocean Leadership Award during its Marine Gala, held January 16. The award was established as an annual opportunity to recognize outstanding achievements related to ocean sciences, education and resource management in Alaska.
Shell Alaska was presented the “Stewardship and Sustainability Award” – highlighting an industry initiative that demonstrates the highest commitment to sustainability of ocean resources.
“Through the efforts of Shell and its many partners, a better understanding of the Alaskan Arctic offshore is emerging, further enabling critical decision-making and responsible management of this critical resource,” said Michael Macrander, Environmental Team Leader, Shell Alaska.
Since returning to Alaska in 2005, Shell has engaged in a comprehensive environmental studies program in the Arctic offshore. Shell has worked in a collaborative manner with a wide range of stakeholders, including industry partners, local, state, and federal governments, universities, and non-government organizations to share resources and facilitate a better understanding of the Arctic marine ecosystem.
Shell has taken the lead in the development and implementation of new technologies, including unmanned aerial systems, acoustic recorders, and integrated ecosystem studies to advance capacities to work in the challenging offshore environment. Shell fosters and funds such diverse research as computer assisted identification of marine mammal calls, greatly enhancing the capacity to utilize acoustic sampling technologies, satellite tagging, ice and weather forecasting and physical oceanography.
“It’s an honor to be recognized by the Alaska SeaLife Center for our efforts to further our understanding of Alaska’s ocean resources,” said Pete Slaiby, Vice President, Shell Alaska. “Recently, Shell entered into a five-year collaborative science agreement with the North Slope Borough Mayor’s office that will enable local stakeholders to pursue robust scientific programs,” Slaiby said. “Shell’s program of scientific study in the Arctic is far-reaching and diverse in scope and we are proud to be recognized as one of the scientific leaders in the Alaska offshore,” Slaiby added.
The Alaska SeaLife Center, known for generating and sharing scientific knowledge to promote understanding of Alaska’s marine ecosystems, is considered one of the most prominent cold-water rehabilitation and research centers in the world.
Eni brings Nikaitchuq online
Eni Petroleum has started production from its Nikaitchuq unit on the North Slope. Eni anticipates that the nearshore field will produce for 30 years, peaking at 28,000 barrels per day. The field is estimated to contain 220 million barrels of recoverable reserves.
Eni is in the early stages of a 52-well development project at Nikaitchuq. Twelve wells have been drilled to date with the remaining to be drilled between now and 2014. The wells are being drilled from a combination of onshore and offshore sites. Some of the extended reach wells are designed to run 4,000 feet vertically and up to 20,000 feet horizontally.
With Nikaitchuq online, Eni joins BP, ConocoPhillips and Pioneer Natural Resources as a North Slope operator.
Alaska Resource Education events set
Alaska Resource Education is currently accepting prizes for the biennial raffle and silent auction at the Alaska Miners Association convention in Juneau. The grand prize drawing of two round-trip tickets on Alaska Airlines will be March 18, 2011. To donate a prize or to view a current list of prizes, please visit akresource.org.
Save the date: The 19th Annual Coal Classic Golf Tournament will be on Wednesday, June 15, 2011. For more information, please email golf@akresource.org or call 907-276-5487.
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