According to Eco News on August 8, Russia's discovery of oil fields with an estimated reserve of up to 511 billion barrels - 10 times the total oil production from the North Sea for the past 50 years - not only threatening to break the principle of banned principles. Oil and gas exploitation under the Antarctic Treaty in 1959, but it can also create a new global energy race.
According to the report submitted to the British Environment Audit Committee, the oil discovered in the Antarctic territory of the UK is raising concerns about the true purpose of research activities conducted by Moscow.
Russia has deployed seismic survey ship Alexander Karpinsky, belonging to Rosgeo Geological Company, arrived at this area to conduct the polls. The Russian government affirmed that this was just pure scientific research activities, but experts made another judgment.
"This is a serious challenge for the principle of global cooperation in Antarctica. It also revealed Russia's long -term ambition in exploiting the unprocessed resources of this area" - spear Master Klaus Dodds, geopolitical expert at Royal Holloway University, said.
Although there is no exploration drilling action, according to observers, seismic surveys are often a stepping stone for oil and gas exploitation. And with increasing energy demand and pressure from Western sanctions, Russia can take advantage of this opportunity.
Russia's oil was found to have fiercely opposed opposition from countries that claimed sovereignty in Antarctica, especially England, Argentina and Chile.
Chile has put the defense force on an alarming state and held an emergency meeting at his Antarctic base to reaffirm sovereignty.
Argentina also showed concern when the Antarctic sea was considered to be an area of strategic importance.
These countries are afraid that if Russia is one step ahead, they may be left in the race to control resources in this icy continent.
Not only South America, other powers like the US, China, Australia and the UK are also closely monitoring the situation. If Russia really plans to exploit oil and balance the world energy will be turned upside down, creating a potential geopolitical confrontation.
For decades, the harsh climate of Antarctica has been the biggest barrier to prevent the exploitation of resources here. But with the increasingly serious climate change, the ice dissolves quickly, the "inviolable" areas are now more accessible than ever.
In the context of the Antarctica becoming the focus of dispute, the US has made tougher moves.
In May 5, 2024, the White House issued a memorandum of national security, reaffirming the commitment to protect the Antarctic Treaty and against all acts of exploiting resources here.
The United States is also enhancing the Antarctic and Military Science and Military activities, and promoting multilateral dialogue to strictly control geological research activities in this area.
Some experts also believe that the US may call on the international community to adjust the Antarctic Treaty, bringing it into a stronger multilateral mechanism to prevent the risk of racing resources.
If oil in Antarctica is really the "black gold mine" of the 21st century, mankind may be about to face a new global energy race - even more fierce than the oil battle in the Middle East. .
