The US government has launched new curbs on oil and gas exploration in Arctic waters.
The move comes after oil major Shell announced it was pulling out of its drilling activity in the region.
The US Interior department said as well as cancelling two potential Arctic offshore lease sales and would not extend current leases.
US government leases are due to expire in the Beaufort Sea in 2017 and in the Chukchi Sea in 2020.
Interior Secretary Sally Jewell said:”In light of Shell’s announcement, the amount of acreage already under lease and current market conditions, it does not make sense to prepare for lease sales in the Arctic in the next year and a half.”
The US Geological Survey estimates that the Arctic holds about 30% of the world’s undiscovered natural gas, as well as 13% of its oil.