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.
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.