Grandmothers Growing Goodness Highlights Risk of Expanded Western Arctic Development, Following ConocoPhillips Rig 26 Collapse

(Nuiqsut, Alaska / Washington, DC) — Over the weekend, a massive drilling rig operating on ConocoPhillips’ behalf toppled over and caught fire on Alaska’s North Slope. While the exact cause is under investigation, reports indicate the rig was being moved along a gravel road during unusually warm weather.

“The collapse of Rig 26 – just miles from our community – is yet another stark warning of the risks of expanded oil and gas development in the Western Arctic. This is what happens when the government allows rushed development and ignores rules meant to keep us and our land safe – especially in an unforgiving environment that is getting more unpredictable as the climate warns,” said Rosemary Ahtuangaruak, Executive Director of Grandmothers Growing Goodness. “Unfortunately, this is not the first time our community has been put at risk. Just a few years ago, we were instructed to shelter in place for weeks as gas contaminated our air, even as ConocoPhillips evacuated its own employees. How are we expected to feel safe when the information we receive is conflicting and insufficient?”

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation wrote in its situation report that about 4,000 gallons of diesel were on board before the rig tipped over, and that emergency responders confirmed evidence of a spill. There are concerns that waterways and drinking water sources could be contaminated.

“This is indicative of a larger problem that is a result of the industry bringing large infrastructure to such a fragile ecosystem. If our leaders refuse to act, accidents like this won’t be rare; they will be the norm, leaving our communities exposed to dangerous, even deadly pollution. We need the protections that many generations of our leadership worked so hard to create to actually be enforced – not rolled back in an instant by this Administration – to keep our community out of harm's way,” Rosemary continues.

In 2022, a series of mistakes and violations led to a three-week natural gas leak at ConocoPhillips’ Alpine oil field. The company evacuated its employees while city residents stayed. There was also a blowout in the North Slope in 2012.

Additional Information:

This incident follows numerous announcements from the Trump Administration aimed at taking

away protections for the Arctic in favor of expanding oil and gas development, which includes:

● Repealing the Biden Administration’s protections for 13 million acres in the National

Petroleum Reserve - Alaska (Western Arctic Reserve).

● Beginning the process to offer nearly 16 million acres of public lands in the Western

Arctic Reserve for leasing.

● Permitting ConocoPhillips’ winter exploration activities, which include drilling exploration

wells and conducting seismic exploration near Nuiqsut and within the Colville River

Special Area and Teshekpuk Lake Special Area. Many challenged the decision.

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