"Leaked documents reveal the government has sought to change proposals that could prevent deepsea drilling operations."

"The government is seeking to water down planned EU regulations on deepsea oil drilling, even while insisting to MPs that it wants "robust environmental protection" for oil drilling in the Arctic.

In leaked EU documents seen by the Guardian, the UK has sought to change proposals that could prevent oil and gas drilling operations that would leave fragile areas vulnerable. The UK is insisting that this clause be removed, because "oil spills may be effectively dispersed by wind and wave action and this is in itself one form of effective response".

This has outraged green campaigners, who are concerned that the "Arctic oil rush" several companies are engaged on could lead to irreparable damage to one of the Earth's last pristine wildernesses."

Fiona Harvey reports for the Guardian January 14, 2013. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"Shell's Arctic Drilling Experiment Has Been an Epic Failure" (Rolling Stone) [3]

"Shell's Arctic Drilling Plan May Hinge on Kulluk's Fate" (Wall St. Journal) [4]