BP began work on its controversial the Chukchi Sea project Monday . An ice floe forced the company to halt work on Sunday . Shell says it can safely drill off Louisiana 's coast . An ice floe forced oil giant Royal Dutch Shell to call off its preparatory drilling off Alaska just a day after the controversial work started , the company announced Monday . Environmental groups say a spill there would be catastrophic .
BP began work on its controversial the Chukchi Sea project Monday . An ice floe forced the company to halt work on Sunday . Shell says it can safely drill off Louisiana 's coast . Environmental groups say a spill there would be catastrophic .