As the Arctic Opens for Oil, the Coast Guard Scrambles

Royal Dutch Shell has spent $4.5 billion since 2005 preparing to explore for oil off Alaska’s north coast in the Arctic. Shell, which may begin drilling next month, is one of at least six companies planning to extract oil, gas, and minerals from the Arctic as global warming melts ice and opens new sea lanes to commerce. The Arctic region holds about a fourth of the world’s undiscovered oil and natural gas, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. About 84 percent of this treasure trove lies beneath the ocean floor. The U.S. has more than 1,000 miles of Arctic shoreline, and much of the country’s Arctic oil is there.

As the oil companies move into the Arctic, so must the U.S. Coast Guard, to project the country’s presence in a vital part of the world, perform sea rescues, and coordinate the government’s response to any oil spills. To date, the Coast Guard lacks appropriate communications and navigation systems and will need at least $3 billion in additional vessels and equipment, according to assessments by the Congressional Research Service and the Coast Guard itself. Without more icebreakers, the service will be “unable to accomplish its Arctic missions,” according to a report last year by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general. “If we are going to have a permanent presence there, it’s going to require some investment,” says Admiral Robert Papp, the Coast Guard commandant.