Exploration of the Arctic Shelf Is a Global Task

    Yet, to counter the looming post-2050 energy collapse, the key to this marine “cellar” must be found today.

   There is much in common between outer space exploration and marine exploration – the main similarity being that both environments are hostile to humans. Indeed, complexity of the technology used in Arctic E&P projects is on par with that used in space exploration. To continue the parallel, space exploration requires international teams and the support of all developed countries – so, maybe, Arctic shelf development projects, which are highly labor- and cost-intensive, also require a joint effort of all technologically developed states. Because solving such a challenge as Arctic shelf development would serve the whole mankind.

   Recently St. Petersburg hosted the 9th International Conference and Exhibition focused on developing Russia’s Arctic projects and the shelf of Russia and CIS – RAO CIS Offshore 2009. “At such conferences we sum up the results of the work done, evaluate the perspective, and discuss new technologies required for the successful shelf development. Taking part in the conference would help the general public to grasp the issue, in parallel helping experts to understand the direction for development,” says head of the venue’s administration panel, member of the Academy of Sciences Aleksei Kontorovich. The RAO CIS Offshore Conference and Exhibition, which started off in 1993 in St. Petersburg, has been recognized by the global oil and gas community in parallel with the largest venues of similar flavor in Aberdeen, Stavanger, Houston and Baku, and is seen as one of the largest events of both national and international level. Throughout the existence of the forum it was attended by over 4,500 delegates and over 1,000 companies.

   Sergei Smirnov, general director of the Association of oil and gas industry suppliers “Sozvezdie”, made a presentation on the round table within the conference. The Association was formed in 2006 on the initiative of Archangelsk regional administration and with the assistance of Statoil ASA (Norway). The Association founders include such region-based industrial giants as Sevmash Production Association and Zvezdochka shipbuilding center. Sergei Smirnov elaborated on Belkomur long-distance railway project, which would help to develop Archangelsk transportation network, linking the area with industrial enterprises of Urals region. Further plans include construction of a new deep-water Archangelsk marine port, and large-scale real and industrial estate development near Teriberka village in Murmansk region. The Association cooperates closely with Shtokman Development Company, aiming to help the local producers to win tenders within the giant Shtokman project.

   Grigoriy Stratiy, general director of the Murmanshelf Association of the oil and gas industry suppliers, marked the positive approach of StatoilHydro to the engagement of Russian suppliers and said that Shtokman Development had documented the priority clause on the project participation for the Murmansk regional organizations.

   As Alexei Kontorovich noted in his conference presentation, “Oil and gas production at the Arctic shelf presents Russia with the opportunity to become in future the largest exporter of energy resources to the global market in the context