Kathmandu. Russian scientists claim to have discovered huge reserves of oil under Antarctica’s frozen ice. Russian scientists estimate that there are huge reserves of 511 billion barrels of oil hidden under the Weddell Sea.
The discovery of this ‘black gold treasure’ raises new questions and doubts about the Antarctic Treaty and future competition for energy. Experts say that this discovery of Russia can bring a new stir in the geopolitics of the region. There is a power struggle between the major powers of the world. ’
Russian researchers have reported that there are about 511 billion barrels of oil beneath antarctica’s frozen surface. This is more than the world’s largest known existing reserves. That’s more than ten times north sea production in the past 50 years and twice saudi arabia’s known oil reserves. This discovery has come to light during Russian scientific expeditions in recent years.
This huge reserve of oil is located in the Weddell Sea. This is an area that Britain claims as part of its territorial interests in Antarctica. The region is located within the ‘British part’ of Antarctica, to which Argentina and Chile also have their territorial claims. In such a situation, there has been a geopolitical confusion in the region for a long time. Now russia’s growing presence and the discovery of huge oil reserves have further aggravated it.
At the heart of this debate is the Antarctic Treaty of 1959. The treaty designates the continent for peaceful scientific research and prohibits military activity or exploitation of resources. Several countries, including the UNITED States and Britain, drafted the treaty to protect Antarctica from “economic looting”. Many experts see Russia’s recent intervention as a breach of the treaty and exploitation of the region in the name of investigation.
Russia’s claims of an oil discovery in Antarctica come at a time when Moscow’s relations with western countries are in a bad shape due to the Ukraine war. The conflict has heightened Western fears that Moscow could use Antarctica to expand its influence and secure energy supplies in the future.
China has added to the confusion by establishing the Fifth Antarctic Research Base. The growing partnership between Beijing and Moscow is already worrying the West. Many analysts are speculating that Russia and China could challenge the powers that have banned Antarctica for decades, which support their ambitions. – Agency
