Russia has found huge reserves of oil and gas in the South, mostly in the region that the UK claims sovereignty, the Telegraph reported.
Russia discovered up to 511 billion barrels of oil and gas reserves in the UK's Arctic. This huge reserve is about 10 times the total oil output of the North Sea in the past half century.
The Southern region's oil and gas holdings were discovered by the Alexander Karpinsky research ship of Russian agency Rosgeo and reported to Moscow. Rosgeo is a major Russian geological research agency responsible for searching for mineral reserves for commercial exploitation.
The Telegraph reported that Russia discovered huge reserves of oil and gas in the South pole from documents provided to the UK Environment Audit Commission (EAC) last week.
The Arctic is protected under the 15% Southern Association Agreement, which prohibits mineral and oil development in the region. The interests of the UK in the South pole are under the management of the Foreign Ministry.
The 1959 Arctic Treaty was drawn up to ensure that the Arctic is used "only for peaceful purposes" and will not " Become a scene or a subject of international discord".
The Arctic Treaty will be reviewed in 2048, but any country involved can withdraw from the treaty at will.
Mr. David Rutley - Deputy Minister for the Americas and Caribbean - told British lawmakers that the UK Foreign Ministry believes that Russia is conducting scientific research in the Arctic region. Russia has recently "reiterated its commitment to the main contents of the treaty," he said.
Meanwhile, Arctic expert Klaus Dodds - Holloway Royal University - told the Telegraph that Russia's activities are more like oil and gas exploration than scientific activities.
The British around three continents (BAT) is the largest and farthest south of the UK's 14 overseas territories.
The UK's Arctic region is also the least hospitable overseas territory, with 99% of the region covered by ice. However, in prehistoric times, this place had a warmer climate, with vegetation likely contributing to the formation of fossil fuel mines.
The English union territory extends from the extreme northwest, embracing the Arctic Peninsula and the Weddell Sea. The Weddell Sea is historically famous as the site of the explorer Ernest Shackleton's Endurance ship that sank. This area is currently likely to contain huge oil and gas reserves.
The British Arctic Surveillance Authority has five research and logistics stations, along with 250 staff, supported by the Royal Navy and the RSS David Attenborough research vessel. The UK's activities in the Arctic not only play an important scientific role but also to maintain the country's demands in the region.
