LONDON, March 27 (Reuters) - Royal Dutch Shell ismoving oil rigs to Alaska ahead of the possible resumption ofcontroversial drilling activities as the oil major awaits thegreen light from U.S. authorities.
The Anglo-Dutch oil major hopes to revive its Arcticdrilling programme two years after the grounding of a rig inAlaska that led to a huge uproar from environmental groups.
But even before getting the go-ahead from the U.S. interiorsecretary, Shell is moving the drilling rigs Noble Discovererand Polar Pioneer to the area in anticipation of the shortoperations window in summer.
The vessel are "heading to North America ahead of apotential 2015 drilling season," a Shell spokeswoman toldReuters.
"Any final decision to go forward with a 2015 season willdepend on successful permitting, clearing any legal obstaclesand our own assessment that we are prepared to explore safelyand successfully."
"This is a multi-year program, and every step we take willbe contingent on meeting all the conditions necessary to proceedsafely and responsibly," the spokeswoman added.
Shell Chief Executive Ben van Beurden said in January hewanted to return to the Arctic this summer after Shell hadalready spent $1 billion on preparations.
Maintaining equipment and staff in the region costs Shellseveral hundred million dollars a year even without progressingwith drilling, Chief Financial Officer Simon Henry said.
Environmental organisations have fiercely opposed drillingin the area. (Reporting by Ron Bousso, editing by David Evans)