"HOUSTON -- With the prospect of rich new oil fields in tantalizing reach, Shell Oil announced on Monday that it was forced to put off completing wells in the Alaskan Arctic for another year after a spill containment dome was damaged during a testing accident."

"While the company will perform preliminary work this year on several wells in the region, it will not be able to drill for oil until next summer at the earliest.

The latest setback in Shell's six-year, $4.5 billion effort to drill off the coast of Alaska heartened environmentalists, who have opposed the drilling program at every turn."

Clifford Krauss reports for the New York Times September 17, 2012. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"Shell Admits Arctic Drilling Defeat, for Now" (Reuters) [3]

"Arctic 1, Shell Oil 0, for 2012 Season" (Mother Jones) [4]

"Shell Abandons Drilling for Oil in Arctic Alaska This Season" (McClatchy) [5]

"Shell Oil Is Committed To Arctic Drilling, Company President Says" (Houston Chronicle) [6]