In 2008, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) estimated that the Arctic region contains "90 billion barrels of oil and 1,669 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. For relative context, these natural gas estimates are more than six times U.S. domestic reserve estimates. Put another way, one third of global undiscovered, potentially recoverable natural gas reserves lie in the Arctic.

As Arctic ice coverage shrinks, industry is expanding exploration in this region, asserting that extraction and accident response technology is appropriate for this environment. Advances include production rigs that operate on the sea bed and reinforced tankers that break through ice. As put by Geir Utskot, an Arctic executive for Schlumberger Oilfield Services, "Technology will not hold up Arctic resource development." (See Shell's video presenting their Arctic preparedness, though note their containment systems are conceptual designs, not existing technology.)

However, exploring unchartered territory is arguably a situation that warrants caution, not haste, and requires more than technology to get it right. Recent oil spills in the Gulf of Mexico and Yellowstone National Park -- supposedly mature operations -- illustrate the importance of examining the presumed norms of industry operations, not just technology, in order to avoid undermining culture, reputation, perceived capabilities, and, potentially, license to operate.

As stated in a 2011 USGS report, with minimal industrial development in the Arctic to date, this provides the "unique opportunity to determine the future land use and resource management of this area and 'get it right.'" The report presents more questions than answers, highlighting a number of gaps in knowledge and preparedness for development, stressing the need to understand cumulative impacts.

The harsh Arctic environment -- whether it's severe cold, near 24 hours of darkness in winter or unpredictable ice flows -- further complicates risk mitigation and preparedness.

A former manager of the Alaskan state oil spill program stated, "Based on my experience, the likelihood of being able to contain and clean up and control a well blowout in the Arctic is slim."

The commission on the Gulf spill stated there are "serious concerns" and "special considerations" regarding Arctic drilling and spill response, while the U.S. Coast Guard asserted that responding to and containing any offshore Arctic spill would be a major challenge, with no infrastructure available to mount such an operation, let alone mobilizing and housing anywhere near the thousands involved in the Gulf clean-up.