送交者: Masquerade 于 February 01, 2008 17:19:02:
回答: Wednesday, Jan 23, session one 由 Masquerade 于 February 01, 2008 11:56:29:
D. Chumakov
According to different estimates, energy potential of the continental part of the Arctic and of the Arctic Ocean is vast and the AMAP Oil and Gas Assessment is one of the best overview on this account. If we speak about the financial value of this potential, a couple years ago it was estimated as high as 62 trillion US dollars. Due to oil price increase this sum can be easily doubled nowadays.
More and more well-based predictions are coming stating that strategic significance of the Arctic petroleum reserves will be not less, and later even more important than the Middle East oil reserves. Arctic States are well aware of this. In this connection there are two trends in every Arctic country. The first one is to secure energy national interests in the Arctic and to avoid dependence on international interference. The second one is to enjoy the benefits of international cooperation in the development of the Arctic reserves. The second alternative will not only make the development more effective, but will also allow to provide the environmentally safe approaches to the petroleum industry in the region, which, in its turn, appears to be more reasonable in terms of its future values. Crystal clear, that this doesn't have to affect the national strategic interests.
Today Norway and Canada are leaders among the Arctic countries regarding the share of foreign companies' funds in development of petroleum reserves. (Norway - 60% of foreign funds, Canada - 55%). Whereas Russia and the USA have the lowest foreign funds' share in the petroleum industry (Russia - 21%, USA - 3%).
The Arctic countries, especially Russia with its richest oil and gas proved and predicted fields, have good perspectives in enhancing the scales of petroleum cooperation in the North. They may have economic benefits in joining the efforts, namely the funds and technologies, for developing the Arctic reserves in rational, sustainable manner, serving at the same time for their own national interests.