The first results of the expedition «Shelf 2014»: drilling in the Arctic is possible

Drilling in the Arctic is possible. Such conclusion was made by the participants of the expedition «Shelf 2014».

They spent more than two months on the board of the nuclear-powered icebreaker «Yamal» in the Kara Sea, the Laptev Sea and in the district of the archipelago the New Siberian Islands. The scientific work was conducted through the request of the corporation «Rosneft».

In 2011 the company received the license for development of seven territories in high latitudes with the total area more than 600 thousand square kilometers. By the preliminary evaluations, oil and gas reserves in this district make not less than two thirds of worldwide reserves.
In the Arctic the scientists were busy with study of the bottom and icebergs. The icebergs are direct danger for drilling platforms. Further these researches will help to decrease expenditures for installing of constructions and minimizing of risks. The received information will be studied in details. Experimental drilling will be planned for this year, as it is informed on the portal murman.tv.
A representative of the customer of the work Konstantin Kornishin informs that the final report with analysis is not received, it will arrive till December, but the preliminary results were received. Drilling will be conducted this summer. As for other water areas – this is the first expedition. 2 or 3 research expeditions are necessary in order to speak finally about engineering constructions.