Aug 29 (Reuters) - Royal Dutch Shell Plc has soughtpermission from the U.S. government to drill in the Arctic Oceanand is keeping open the possibility that it could drill therenext summer, the Financial Times reported on Thursday.
The newspaper reported that Shell had filed an explorationplan for approval by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, theagency that controls offshore drilling rights. The planaddresses issues such as safety and environmental impact. (http://on.ft.com/VTMy2s)
The FT also reported that Shell said although it had not yetmade a definite decision to drill in the Arctic next year itwanted to keep the option open and required permits and a courtdecision to go in its favour.
Shell was not immediately available for comment outsideregular working hours in the United Kingdom and the UnitedStates. (Reporting by Karen Rebelo in Bangalore; Editing by LisaShumaker)
