Russia has discovered vast oil and gas reserves in Antarctica (disputed territory), which could lead to drilling in this protected region. This discovery made by the Russian ship Alexander Karpinsky has generated great interest and could have a significant impact on the geopolitics of Antarctica.
Oil reserves exceed North Sea production
According to Oilprice, the discovered reserves contain approximately 511 billion barrels of oil . This figure is staggering, representing around ten times the production of the North Sea over the last fifty years. This discovery was made by the Russian ship Alexander Karpinsky, specialized in geological investigations.
Furthermore, evidence of this discovery was presented last week to the Commons Environmental Audit Committee. This commission was examining the activities of Russian research vessels, especially those belonging to Rosgeo, Russia’s largest geological exploration company controlled by the Kremlin.
However, it is important to remember that Antarctica is protected by the 1959 Antarctic Treaty. This treaty prohibits any oil exploitation in the region, guaranteeing that it is used exclusively for peaceful purposes and avoiding its use as a focus of international conflicts.
Oil and gas in Antarctica: What is Russia’s intention?
Furthermore, Minister David Rutley told the commission that Russia was carrying out scientific research in the region, reaffirming its commitment to the fundamental principles of the treaty. However, Klaus Dodds, professor of geopolitics at Royal Holloway University, warned that the political environment there is the most tense since the late 1980s and early 1990s, exacerbated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Dodds argued that Russian activity in the region is more akin to the search for oil and gas than scientific research. According to him, these activities should be interpreted as an attempt to challenge the norms related to seismic research, anticipating future resource extraction.
Claims and geopolitical tension
The Antarctic Treaty, the largest of the British overseas territories, has been the subject of claims by Argentina and Chile in the past. Despite this, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has assured that Russia has reiterated on several occasions before the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting that its activities in the region have scientific objectives .
The growing geopolitical tension in this area could lead to a review of the 1959 Antarctic Treaty , promoting an international debate on the protection and exploitation of resources in this region. This scenario underscores the need for a renewed diplomatic approach to preserve peace and scientific cooperation in Antarctica.
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Source: worldenergytrade
Photo: Shutterstock
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