The Arctic drilling controversy

Shell oil company under fire over its controversial exploration plans in the area.



Hundreds of protesters blocked for many hours entrance to a sea port terminal in Seattle where Shell loaded up a drilling rig.

The rig is due to head to the waters off Alaska this summer after the company received the green light to drill in the Arctic Ocean. Protesters, however, warn of a potential environmental catastrophe.
The region is thought to contain 30 percent of the world's undiscovered natural gas reserves and around 13 percent of the world's undiscovered oil.