A rejection of the waiver is one of the last hopes drilling foes have to stop the company from drilling this year in the Chukchi Sea off Alaska’s northwest coast. Shell Oil Co. also hopes to drill in the Beaufort Sea off the state’s north coast.
A Shell spokesman two weeks ago said generator engines on the Noble Discoverer drill ship tested “slightly above” permit levels for ammonia and nitrous oxide. Curtis Smith said Shell would seek a compliance order that would allow the Noble Discoverer to operate this year in the Chukchi. He said the request would set in motion a review for changes to the permit for 2013.