Oil companies have been hesitant to pursue resources at Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in part because of high costs of development, and public relations challenges around drilling in a wildlife sanctuary.

No bids were received in the second congressionally managed oil and gas lease sale in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, the Department of the Interior announced on Wednesday. Had any been received,

No companies bid for the chance to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. It was the second auction in four years that failed to draw strong interest.