Royal Dutch Shell has said it will not drill for petroleum in the Arctic Ocean in 2013.
President Marvin Odum said the firm will “pause” its exploration drilling in the Chukchi and Beaufort seas.
Mr Odum said the firm made progress in Alaska, but Arctic offshore drilling is a long-term programme it is pursuing in a safe way.
Last year Shell drilled top holes on two wells in the Beaufort and Chukchi, but drilling hit problems.
The firm could not finish work on a spill response barge required for drilling into petro-leum-bearing rock.
The drill vessel used in the Beaufort was damaged after it ran aground on New Year’s Eve.
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