Conservation group Oceana became the second such organization to intervene in the consideration of Shell’s leases offshore Alaska on environmental grounds. Shell is appealing to the U.S. federal government to ensure leases for exploration activity in the Beufort and Chukchi Seas expire as expected. In September, the company found evidence of oil and natural gas in its Burger exploration well located in the area, but not enough to warrant further activity. Federal leases expire at the end of their terms unless operators are engaged in drilling or related activity. Shell’s leases would start to expire by next year. Oceana, in a 12-page motion to appeal to the U.S. […]