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| Greenpeace protest over Greenland oil drilling | |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Environmental activists have disrupted drilling on board an oil exploration rig in Arctic waters as part of an ongoing protest. | Environmental activists have disrupted drilling on board an oil exploration rig in Arctic waters as part of an ongoing protest. |
| Greenpeace said 18 activists climbed onto the Leiv Eiriksson rig off the coast of Greenland. | Greenpeace said 18 activists climbed onto the Leiv Eiriksson rig off the coast of Greenland. |
| They called for details of how the operator would respond to an oil spill. | They called for details of how the operator would respond to an oil spill. |
| Edinburgh-based Cairn Energy said drilling was suspended after the protesters breached a restricted area on the rig. | Edinburgh-based Cairn Energy said drilling was suspended after the protesters breached a restricted area on the rig. |
| Earlier this week, two Greenpeace protesters occupied the 53,000-tonne drilling vessel, operated on behalf of Cairn Energy. | |
| Protesters hung from the underside of the rig in an Arctic survival pod and were removed by Danish police. | Protesters hung from the underside of the rig in an Arctic survival pod and were removed by Danish police. |
| Oil rush | Oil rush |
| The latest protest was launched from the Greenpeace ship Esperanza in five inflatable speedboats, from outside an 500-metre exclusion zone. | The latest protest was launched from the Greenpeace ship Esperanza in five inflatable speedboats, from outside an 500-metre exclusion zone. |
| Campaigner Ben Ayliffe said: "Experts say the freezing temperatures and remote location mean a deep water blow-out in this stunning pristine environment would be an irreversible disaster. | Campaigner Ben Ayliffe said: "Experts say the freezing temperatures and remote location mean a deep water blow-out in this stunning pristine environment would be an irreversible disaster. |
| "If they published the plan, the dangers of investing in such a high risk venture would be laid bare. We have to draw a line in the ice and stop the Arctic oil rush." | "If they published the plan, the dangers of investing in such a high risk venture would be laid bare. We have to draw a line in the ice and stop the Arctic oil rush." |
| Cairn announced this week that it had begun drilling two wells in the region. | Cairn announced this week that it had begun drilling two wells in the region. |
| The two wells are approximately 100 miles (160km) and 185 miles (300km) off Nuuk, the capital of Greenland. Each drilling operation is in water deeper than 2,953ft (900m). | The two wells are approximately 100 miles (160km) and 185 miles (300km) off Nuuk, the capital of Greenland. Each drilling operation is in water deeper than 2,953ft (900m). |
| In response to Greenpeace demands to see Cairn's oil spill response plan, the energy company said: "As stipulated by Greenland authorities, the oil spill response documents are not publicly available." | |
| In a statement, the company added: "Wherever it is active, Cairn operates in a safe and prudent manner. | |
| "The Greenland Bureau of Minerals and Petroleum has established some of the most stringent operating regulations anywhere globally, which mirror those applied in the Norwegian North Sea." | |
| "It is in the interests of the Greenland government to put in place the most stringent and robust measures. Cairn takes its responsibilities such as oil spill contingency and response plans very seriously." |