Royal Dutch Shell has developed safeguards to conduct offshore oil exploration in the Arctic and U.S. President says he’s impressed with what he sees.

Mars Ice Island, 48 km from Nuiqsut, Alaska – Courtesy: SonicR~commonswiki

Obama says his administration delayed Shell’s application for exploratory drilling in the Chukchi Sea northwest of Alaska until it could provide necessary assurances. The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has approved the company’s plan.

Obama who says while he is committed to reducing carbon emissions fossil fuels are still needed and he would rather rely on oil and gas extracted in the U.S.  than from foreign sources.

If you are wondering which foreign sources Obama is referring to, here is a breakdown of where the States currently imports its oil from:

Top sources of net crude oil and petroleum product imports for the U.S.:

• Canada (28%)
• Saudi Arabia (13%)
• Mexico (10%)
• Venezuela (9%)
• Russia (5%)

stats from U.S. Energy Information Administration

(Source: Associated Press & US News)