WASHINGTON – The Obama administration is launching a fast-track review of Shell’s troubled Arctic drilling efforts in the wake of a grounded drilling rig, a failed spill equipment test and other problems.

But the administration made clear Tuesday that despite all the struggles it still supports the controversial push to explore for oil in the waters off Alaska. “The administration is fully committed to exploring for potential energy resources in frontier areas such as the Arctic,” Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said.

The Interior Department will do an “expedited, high-level assessment,” with a focus on Shell’s numerous challenges, Salazar said in a written statement Tuesday. He said it will be led by Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Director Tommy Beaudreau and completed within 60 days.

“Exploration allows us to better comprehend the true scope of our resources in the Arctic and to more fully understand the nature of the risks and benefits of development in this region, but we also recognize that the unique challenges posed by the Arctic environment demand an even higher level of scrutiny,” Salazar said.

Shell’s drilling rig Kulluk broke free from its towline and was grounded for several days before being hauled off the rocks Sunday. Shell’s other drilling rig, the Noble Discoverer, has had safety and pollution issues and is the subject of an investigation. And in September, the spill containment dome on Shell’s response barge, the Arctic Challenger, was, according to an internal email by a federal regulator, “crushed like a beer can” during testing off Washington state.

Shell spokesman Curtis Smith said Tuesday that the company welcomes the Interior Department’s review.