Public comment opened for Shell Chukchi drilling

ANCHORAGE, Alaska

The federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has opened public comment periods for Shell Oil's drilling exploration plan in the Chukchi Sea off Alaska's northwest coast.

BOEM announced Wednesday that the plan by Shell Gulf of Mexico, Inc. and its supporting documentation were sufficient for the agency to begin a full analysis.

The agency by law has 30 days to analyze and evaluate the exploration plan.

Shell has proposed wells 70 miles off the coast in about 140 feet of water starting next year. The company's drill ship would be accompanied by support vessels.

The BOEM announcement says the public has until Nov. 26 to comment on issues the agency should consider in preparing a site-specific environmental assessment and until Dec. 7 to comment on the exploration plan.