Surprise, surprise. It appears the Obama administration is stopping its all-out war against oil production, or at least putting it on pause. On Tuesday, the Department of the Interior approved the sale of exploratory drilling rights in the Chukchi Sea to Shell Oil Co. The Arctic “is an important component of the administration’s national energy strategy,” said Interior Secretary Sally Jewell. “We remain committed to taking a thoughtful and balanced approach to oil and gas leasing and exploration offshore Alaska. This unique, sensitive and often challenging environment requires effective oversight to ensure all activities are conducted safely and responsibly.” Of course, the administration is keeping tight-fisted control over the whole enterprise, still arguing renewable energy sources are somehow better than tried and true methods of energy production. But Obama seems to be listening to the Department of Energy’s advisory council, which recommended the U.S. develop its oil production in the waters off Alaska. And the recent success of America’s shale oil boom, which drove gas prices low and boosted foreign policy, is a powerful argument that shows the black liquid isn’t all that bad. More…