Arctic Oil & Gas News

Alexey Miller announces Gazprom has pioneered the Russian Arctic shelf development, posted on Your Oil And Gas News

Gazprom has started producing oil from the Prirazlomnoye field. It is the first Russian project for developing the Arctic shelf and the commencement of Gazprom’s large-scale activities aimed at creating a large hydrocarbon production center in the region. [Read More…]

Canada and Russia battle for the Arctic by Jonathan Gatehouse, posted on Macleans

It’s a hot fight over one of the coldest places on earth. Just in time for Christmas, Canada announced its intention to lay claim to the North Pole, some 800 km north of Alert, Nunavut, the country’s—and the world’s—northernmost settlement. However, in this case it’s not the sheet of sea ice that’s important, rather what might lie four kilometres below. By some estimates, the high Arctic is home to 15 per cent of the globe’s undiscovered oil and as much as 30 per cent of its untapped natural gas. And the scramble for title to those undersea riches has placed Canada on a collision course with the United States, Denmark, Norway and, most especially, Russia. [Read More…]

Nations target the Arctic; U.S. tries to keep pace by Deb Reichmann, posted on Tulsa World

The U.S. is racing to keep pace with stepped-up activity in the once sleepy Arctic frontier, but it’s far from being in the lead. Nations across the world are hurrying to stake claims to the Arctic’s resources, which might be home to 13 percent of the world’s undiscovered oil and 30 percent of its untapped natural gas. There are emerging fisheries and hidden minerals. Cruise liners loaded with tourists are sailing the Arctic’s frigid waters in increasing numbers. Cargo traffic along the Northern Sea Route, one of two shortcuts across the top of the globe in summer, is on the rise. [Read More…]

Greenpeace won’t pay NZ for Arctic 30 help, posted on 3News

Australia’s foreign minister may ask Greenpeace to help foot the bill for consular support to the Arctic 30, but the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) has ruled out a similar move. Thirty Greenpeace activists – including two New Zealanders – were released just after Christmas after being detained for four months in Russia. The group had been protesting against Arctic oil drilling. [Read More…]