Risks of pollution of Arctic territories by oil and oil products

Abstract

A special place in the Arctic zone of Russia is occupied by the shelf of the Barents Sea. Russian official sources estimate the oil reserves of the Barents Sea at around 400 million tons of which only a quarter, about 100 million tons, is confirmed [1]. Industrial development of oil fields in the Arctic zone takes place in the most difficult conditions and requires the use of new unique technologies. Poor compliance with oil spill prevention measures has already led to large-scale environmental pollution in the Arctic zone of Russia. The cause of pollution is the operation of marine stationary platforms, accompanied by the construction of shore-based terminals, hydrocarbon storage facilities, offshore pipeline lay, drilling operations, and increased shipping.A special place in the Arctic zone of Russia is occupied by the shelf of the Barents Sea. Russian official sources estimate the oil reserves of the Barents Sea at around 400 million tons of which only a quarter, about 100 million tons, is confirmed [1]. Industrial development of oil fields in the Arctic zone takes place in the most difficult conditions and requires the use of new unique technologies. Poor compliance with oil spill prevention measures has already led to large-scale environmental pollution in the Arctic zone of Russia. The cause of pollution is the operation of marine stationary platforms, accompanied by the construction of shore-based terminals, hydrocarbon storage facilities, offshore pipeline lay, drilling operations, and increased shipping.