Royal Dutch Shell says it will not drill for petroleum in the Arctic Ocean in 2013.

Shell Oil Co president Marvin Odum said the company will "pause" its exploration drilling in the Chukchi and Beaufort seas.

Odum on Wednesday said the company has made progress in Alaska but Arctic offshore drilling is a long-term program that the company is pursuing in a safe and measured way.

Shell in 2012 drilled top holes on two wells in the Beaufort and Chukchi but drilling was hampered by problems.

The company could not complete work on a spill response barge required for drilling into petroleum-bearing rock.

The drill vessel used in the Beaufort was damaged when it broke loose from its tow vessel and ran aground New Year's Eve.