May 27, 2024
In response to the publication by the British newspaper The Telegraph that the Rosgeologiya research vessel Akademik Aleksander Karpinsky had transmitted to Moscow data on the discovery of huge oil and gas resources in Antarctica (in particular, the publication writes about 511 billion barrels of oil, which is 10 times more than the total quantity of oil extracted in the North Sea in 50 years), Rosgeologiya said that it conducts only scientific activities in Antarctica and the adjacent seas in full compliance with international agreements
Rosgeologiya emphasized that the objective of scientific research of its vessel is geological and geophysical study of the origin and geological structure of the Antarctic, the structure and thickness of the sedimentary cap, determination of the nature of the foundation and reconstruction of the stages of the Earth crust formation in the Antarctic seas. No geological exploration works are conducted. This is stated in the statement published on the official website of the holding.
" The entire activities of Rosgeologiya on the continent of Antarctica and in the waters of the adjacent seas, including those using the research vessel Akademik Aleksander Karpinsky, are of solely scientific nature," the holding notes. "Rosgeologia" emphasizes that the objective of scientific research of its vessel is geological and geophysical studies of the origin and geological structure of Antarctica, structure and thickness of the sedimentary cap, determination of the nature of the basement and reconstruction of the stages of crust formation in the Antarctic seas.
In strict compliance with the requirements of international treaties on Antarctica, in the 2023-2024 field season the Akademik Aleksander Karpinsky research vessel carried out regional geophysical surveys in the water areas of the marginal Amundsen and the Bellingshausen Seas, and the specialists of the Antarctic Geophysical Party performed complex aerogeophysical surveys in the East Antarctica and geological works in the south-western part of the Banger Oasis," the holding added.
Additionally, Rosgeologiya draws attention to the fact that the holding conducts its research activities in Antarctica in strict compliance with the provisions of the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty. Thus, the Holding notes that Article 7 of the Protocol provides for a ban on any activity related to mineral resources, except for scientific research.
"In its activities, Rosgeologiya is also guided by the Strategy for the Development of the Russian Federation's Activities in the Antarctic until 2030, according to which only scientific study of the geological structure of the Antarctic is possible and no geological exploration of Antarctic mineral resources for commercial purposes is stipulated," the holding people concluded.
Sources:
https://tass.ru/ekonomika/20895445
Translated into English by Mukhiddin Ganiev