Shell Drill Rig Kulluk adrift, NW Gulf of Alaska

The Royal Dutch Shell drilling rig Kulluk went aground on Sitkalidak Island, Alaska on January 1, 2013. Sitkalidak is an uninhabitated island just south of Kodiak Island. The Kulluk was being towed from Dutch Harbor to Seattle by the towing vessel Aiviq when it lost engine power, which caused the loss of the Kulluk. Although power was restored to the Aiviq, subsequent attempts at reattaching the tow were not successful, in part due to heavy weather. The Kulluk has on board approximately 144,000 gallons of diesel fuel and 16,000 gallons of lube oils and hydraulic fluid. Currently the Kulluk is sitting upright and there are no observable fuel leaks. The weather continues to remain rough, which is hampering attempts at salvage efforts and site visits. By Jan. 6 the weather was calmer and salvage crews had stabilized the drilling rig. As a result the Aiviq, connected by tow, was able to successfully refloat the Kulluk and began towing it to Kliuda Bay, 30 n.m. away. During the early morning hours of Jan. 7 the Kulluk safely arrived in Kilida Bay and was anchored to its safe harbor assessment position where a thorough evaluation of its condition will be evaluated prior to continuing on to Seattle.