WASHINGTON, March 31 (Reuters) - The U.S. Department of theInterior on Tuesday upheld a 2008 lease sale in the Chukchi Seaoff Alaska, moving Royal Dutch Shell a step closer toreturning to the Arctic since it suffered accidents in theregion in 2012.
"The Arctic is an important component of theAdministration's national energy strategy, and we remaincommitted to taking a thoughtful and balanced approach to oiland gas leasing and exploration offshore Alaska," said InteriorSecretary Sally Jewell. (Reporting by Timothy Gardner; Editing by Eric Beech)