Shell rig grounded off coast of Alaska

A Royal Dutch Shell-owned drilling rig has ran around off the coast of Alaska after being caught in a storm.

A Royal Dutch Shell-owned drilling rig has ran around off the coast of Alaska after being caught in a storm.

The Kulluk hit rocks on Monday evening at 21:00 off Kodiak Island, though its 18-member crew had already been evacuated, according to media reports.

The vessel, operated by Noble Corp, was carrying 150,000 gallons on ultra low-sulphur diesel and 12,000 gallons of lubricating oil and hydraulic fluid, but there have been no reports of any spillage.

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According to the Coast Guard, winds reached speeds of up to 60 miles per hour and waves were up to 35 feet high.

The drilling rig is part of Shell's $4.5bn offshore programme in Alaska.