AS part of its ongoing examination of the UK's interests in Antarctica, the House of Commons' Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) held a special session focusing on Russian oil exploration in the polar region, reports Fort Lauderdale's Maritime Executive.
The inquiry involved intense questioning of three ministers about Russian oil prospecting activities in Antarctica, believed to encroach on territory claimed by the UK.
In 2020, the Russian mineral exploration company Rosgeo reported that its research vessel, Alexander Karpinsky, had completed a comprehensive sub-surface geological survey, mapping oil and gas-bearing prospects on the Antarctic ice shelves.
This survey was part of the 65th Russian Antarctic expedition and covered the southeastern part of the Riiser-Larsen Sea off the coast of Queen Maud Land, a region claimed by Norway.
However, the EAC learned that since 2011, Russian seismic surveys have been conducted off the Weddell Sea, an area under the UK's territorial claim in Antarctica.
According to Rosgeo, these surveys have identified approximately 500 billion barrels (70 billion tonnes) of hydrocarbon potential in the Southern Ocean's basins.
During his testimony to the EAC, Junior Minister at the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office David Rutley stated that Russia has committed to adhering to the Antarctic Treaty.
In 1976, the treaty signatories imposed a moratorium on the exploration and exploitation of Antarctic minerals to protect the region.
Despite this, countries like Russia have continued mineral exploration under the guise of scientific research, which the treaty permits.
Antarctica has seven historic claimants: Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway, and the UK.
These claims were suspended with the negotiation of the Antarctic Treaty in 1959, rendering Antarctica an enormous no man's land.
Governance of the Earth's polar regions has been strained since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
Experts warn that deteriorating relations between Russia and the West could lead to competition rather than collaboration in preserving Antarctica's integrity.
This trend is already evident, with China and Russia blocking efforts by other Antarctic treaty nations to expand marine protected areas in the region.
SeaNews Turkey
The inquiry involved intense questioning of three ministers about Russian oil prospecting activities in Antarctica, believed to encroach on territory claimed by the UK.
In 2020, the Russian mineral exploration company Rosgeo reported that its research vessel, Alexander Karpinsky, had completed a comprehensive sub-surface geological survey, mapping oil and gas-bearing prospects on the Antarctic ice shelves.
This survey was part of the 65th Russian Antarctic expedition and covered the southeastern part of the Riiser-Larsen Sea off the coast of Queen Maud Land, a region claimed by Norway.
However, the EAC learned that since 2011, Russian seismic surveys have been conducted off the Weddell Sea, an area under the UK's territorial claim in Antarctica.
According to Rosgeo, these surveys have identified approximately 500 billion barrels (70 billion tonnes) of hydrocarbon potential in the Southern Ocean's basins.
During his testimony to the EAC, Junior Minister at the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office David Rutley stated that Russia has committed to adhering to the Antarctic Treaty.
In 1976, the treaty signatories imposed a moratorium on the exploration and exploitation of Antarctic minerals to protect the region.
Despite this, countries like Russia have continued mineral exploration under the guise of scientific research, which the treaty permits.
Antarctica has seven historic claimants: Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway, and the UK.
These claims were suspended with the negotiation of the Antarctic Treaty in 1959, rendering Antarctica an enormous no man's land.
Governance of the Earth's polar regions has been strained since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
Experts warn that deteriorating relations between Russia and the West could lead to competition rather than collaboration in preserving Antarctica's integrity.
This trend is already evident, with China and Russia blocking efforts by other Antarctic treaty nations to expand marine protected areas in the region.
SeaNews Turkey
