Robert Nigmatulin, director of Oceanology Institute of Russia’s Science Academy
Photo: Ilya Pitalev
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Soil Lifted from Arctic Seabed Won’t Be Decisive
The samples of soil lifted from the Arctic Ocean’s bed during the recent Arctic-2007 expedition won’t materially affect the UN decision about extending the continental shelf of Russia, Interfax reported citing Robert Nigmatulin, director of Oceanology Institute of Russia’s Science Academy.
Despite the obvious scientific value of samples, Nigmatulin said, they won’t be decisive to determine whether the Lomonosov ridge continues the continental shelf of Russia. Nothing but deep drilling could give a final proof, the official explained.
An icebreaker is being constructed in Germany that will be able to drill under the ice, Nigmatulin specified contrary to opinion of some scientists that there are yet no engineering chances to drill in the Arctic Ocean’s bed.
Even if Russia gets the sovereign right to explore and develop the Arctic treasures, the scientist went on, it will be extremely difficult to produce them from the shelf. But in view of the market prices for crude, such production will generate profits. A single country won’t be able to independently develop the territory and will have to refer to global cooperation, Nigmatulin pointed out.
www.kommersant.com
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