Rosneft Oil Company has been implementing its comprehensive long-term research programme in Arctic that includes geological, weather and environmental surveys. These efforts are being undertaken jointly with the nation’s leading research and development organisations.

This is the first time in Russia that shallow wells are drilled in the stated northern waters of the Arctic in order to collect core samples. The samples that has been already taken by now are of great interest in terms of obtaining the latest data on the geological composition of the Northern Kara waters.

The core samples taken will be lab-tested by means of Innopraktika and the Lomonosov Moscow State University Faculty of Geology. Following that, a set of analytical studies and laboratory tests will be created to improve the reliability of forecasts of the oil and gas potential of the Arctic’s multi-aged sedimentary basins.

The studies hold great significance for science and for recognising the geological composition of the Russia Arctic, for assessing the oil and gas potential of the Northern Kara basin. The fieldwork is carried out in compliance with the highest standards of environmental safety and environmental protection. Technologies with no adverse environmental impact are used to drill stratigraphic wells. The project was preceded by geological expeditions to the archipelagos of Novaya Zemlya and Severnaya Zemlya, a cycle of seismic, gravimagnetic, engineering and geophysical studies, as well as the consistent construction of a comprehensive geological model of the entire Northern Kara region, taking into account data on the Arctic islands and mainland land.

About Rosneft

Rosneft is the leader of Russia’s petroleum industry and the world’s largest publicly traded petroleum company. Company’s main activities include prospecting and exploration of hydrocarbon deposits, oil, gas and gas-condensate production, upstream offshore projects, processing, as well as oil, gas, and product marketing in Russia and abroad. The Company is included in the list of strategic companies and organizations of Russia. Company’s largest shareholder (69.50% of the equity) is ROSNEFTEGAZ OJSC, fully owned by the Russian Government, while BP holds 19.75% of shares, one share belongs to the state represented by Federal Agency for State Property Management, whereas the remaining shares are free floating.