WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement in response to the Department of the Interior’s assessment of Shell’s 2012 Arctic exploration program.

“There’s a history of safe drilling in Alaska’s Arctic waters going back to the 1970s. While Shell’s exploratory drilling program maintained that record of safety, they did experience problems with transportation and in other areas that need to be addressed before Shell proceeds. However, I want to review the full report to ensure that stricter oversight is not code for prohibiting access to our resources.

“Alaska’s offshore resources represent one of our greatest opportunities to improve America’s energy security, generate badly needed revenue without raising taxes, keep the trans-Alaska oil pipeline operational, and show the way for Arctic exploration around the world.”

The Beaufort and Chukchi seas are estimated to contain 27 billion barrels of oil and 132 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.

Murkowski is Alaska’s senior senator and the ranking Republican on the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.