All Headline News: Shell And Conservation Groups Face Off: “Some groups say it may take very little to drive the whales - which now number about 100 animals - to extinction. The Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) has slammed Shell - which leads the Sakhalin Energy consortium operating the project - on its decision to push ahead and install the platform for its Sakhalin phase two oil and gas project this summer.”: Posted 6 October 2005

Danielle George

All Headline News Staff Reporter

London, England (AHN) - The UK Export Credit Guarantee Department will continue discussions about financing Shell's $20 billion project in Russia's Far East. The project threatens a grey whale feeding ground, resting near the site of an oil platform.

Some groups say it may take very little to drive the whales - which now number about 100 animals - to extinction.

The Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) has slammed Shell - which leads the Sakhalin Energy consortium operating the project - on its decision to push ahead and install the platform for its Sakhalin phase two oil and gas project this summer.

The conservation group says it should have adequately addressed the issues of noise, collision risks, and oil spills before doing so.

Robert Napier, WWF's chief executive says, "WWF cannot see how the government can approve funding of this project when the world's experts have clearly identified areas where these critically endangered whales were exposed to unnecessary risks."

The oil giant stresses it is committed to conserving the whale population and has already made major concessions.

These include changing the route of its oil and gas pipelines and agreeing to fund a long-term expert panel to monitor the whales.

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