Story last updated at 10/23/2009 - 11:06 am
ANCHORAGE - A federal agency says Shell Oil's application to drill exploratory wells in the Chukchi Sea is complete.
The Anchorage Daily News reports that determination triggers a 30-day deadline for the Minerals Management Service to review the plan. The agency can approve, reject or require changes.
Shell says it hopes to drill one or two wells next year in the Chukchi Sea.
It also wants to drill two wells next year in the Beaufort Sea, a plan that received conditional approval Monday.
Shell has not yet received permits to drill.
Environmental groups oppose the drilling because of risks. They say petroleum companies have not proven they can clean up a spill in Arctic conditions, especially broken ice.
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