Russia has discovered massive oil and gas reserves in British territory in Antarctica. Evidence submitted to the U.K. House of Commons Environment and Audit Committee (EAC) confirmed this.
Crude Oil Deposits
Since the 19th century, Antarctica has been a crucial site for scientific discoveries and cutting-edge science. Every year, the US deploys around 700 people to the region to conduct scientific research, while about 2,500 people operate and maintain research stations.
Just recently, an important discovery was made in Antarctica that can threaten its delicate environmental balance. Russia uncovered oil and gas reserves that contain about 511 billion barrels of oil, around ten times the output in the North Sea over the last five decades. The oil and gas research was done by ships owned by Rosgeo, Russia's largest geological exploration firm.
According to reports discussed in the U.K. parliament, the discovery was made by Russian research ships in the Weddell Sea. This falls under the U.K.'s claim in Antarctic territory, overlapping those of Argentina and Chile.
Russia has no territorial claims in Antarctica but has gradually escalated its presence in the region in recent years through different scientific campaigns. Since 1957, Russia has also established five research stations in the territory.
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Threat Against Environmental Protection
Experts are worried that Russia might attempt to assert its influence in Antarctica even if it claims to stay in the region only for scientific reasons. According to the Parliamentary Undersecretary of State for the Americas and Caribbean, David Rutley, Russia has affirmed its commitment to the objectives of the Antarctic treaty. Still, the massive discovery poses real challenges to its integrity in the future.
First signed on December 1, 1959, the Antarctic Treaty states that no single country owns the region and designates the territory as a continent devoted to science and peace. This means that all oil developments in Antarctica are prohibited.
Geopolitics professor Klaus Dodds from the U.K.'s Royal Holloway College told the Commons Environment Audit Committee that Russia's actions in Antarctica could signal a potential threat to the permanent ban on mining. Dodd further argues that Russia's oil and gas exploration can be a precursor to resource extraction, which may complicate the geopolitical landscape.
Dodd believes that Russian activity in the region is directed towards oil and gas hunting rather than scientific research. He argues that these activities should be associated with seismic survey research, which can be a precursor for future resource extraction.
The size of the discovery underscores potential economic gains but also significant environmental risks. Drilling for oil and gas in such a pristine environment raises serious concerns, with far-reaching and irreversible consequences for unique ecosystems and global climate commitments.
The discovery of oil and gas reserves can also significantly shift global energy markets and dynamics. Although it can potentially lower global oil prices, it can undermine international efforts to fight climate change and transition to renewable energy sources.
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