JUSTIFICATION OF ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF ARCTIC LNG TRANSPORTATION BY SEA

Russian Arctic is the largest exporter of domestic natural gas, which brings significant income to the federal budget. The major share of natural gas extracted in the Arctic is transported via pipelines in the direction of European countries. For a number of reasons EU is continuously reducing its consumption of Russian natural gas, among other things by increasing the import of liquefied natural gas (LNG). All this is happening against the background of global markets refocusing from pipeline gas to LNG. An obvious solution here would be to increase LNG production in the Russian Arctic with its subsequent transportation by sea. Taking into account remote location of Arctic gas fields from the main sales markets, there is a need for comparative cost analysis of transportation via pipelines and LNG tankers.     The authors developed a method of assessing the costs of pipeline and sea transportation under comparable conditions. Calculations have been made for gas transportation to Germany, Italy, Turkey and China. As a result, it has been demonstrated that sea transportation of 1,000 m3 of natural gas is cheaper than pipeline transportation by the average value of 106.3 USD (–40.2 %) across all the routes in question. Performed calculations prove the economic benefits of sea transportation of Arctic LNG to the existing and potential markets for natural gas. Such results are justified by the need of rational replacement of pipeline gas by LNG in European markets (especially in Southern Europe, where LNG has a greater competitive advantage) and increasing export of liquefied natural gas to the Asia-Pacific Region. Suggested measures will allow to reduce the costs of sea LNG transportation, which will give Arctic natural gas a competitive edge on the global and regional gas markets

Foreign and domestic experience of economic development of the Arctic territories

The article deals with the key aspects of the Arctic exploration. There is a brief description of the Arctic Council, as well as strategic goals, objectives, activities and resources used of member countries and observer organizations to achieve these goals. The resource base of the Arctic region is studied. The economic analysis of the Arctic territories by circumpolar states, including the characteristics of resource projects, is arranged. The features of the Russian and foreign approaches to the management of the economy in the Arctic are noted. The method of logical analysis, economic and statistical and historical methods are used in the research. The result is the scientific justification of advantages and potential of domestic experience of development of the Arctic, and also of the necessity of timely adaptation of economic approaches, investment policy and the legislation according to the current chalenges and tendencies

The economic development of the regional area of the Kara Sea: Features of icebreaker providing navigation

The paper presents a retrospective of historical and economic development of the waters and coast of the Kara Sea. The estimation of major minerals' reserves as well as the possibility of mining, especially oil and gas, in difficult Arctic conditions has been considered. The structure of sea lanes in the aspect of raw materials transportation using icebreakers has been substantiated. Some approaches to the diversification of routes and means of transportation of Arctic natural resources and ways of fleet modernization have been determined. Представлена историко-экономическая ретроспектива освоения акватории и побережья Карского моря в пределах регионального пространства Арктики. Выполнена оценка запасов основных полезных ископаемых, а также возможности разработки месторождений, особенно нефти и газа, в сложных арктических условиях. Обоснована структура морских коммуникаций в аспекте организации транспортировки сырья при ледокольном обеспечении. Определены подходы к диверсификации путей и средств транспортировки арктических природных ресурсов и направления модернизации флот

Environmental status of continental shelf in the Pechora Sea: analysis and recommendations

Abstract We have assessed the hydrocarbon reserves, including oil, in the waters of the Arctic seas of the Russian Federation. We have considered current projects for extraction of hydrocarbons in the Pechora Sea at the Prirazlomnoye field. We have carried out comprehensive analysis of environmental issues related to operation of oil exploration facilities, describing the prospects for development of offshore hydrocarbon fields on the continental shelf of the Pechora Sea. The valuable ecosystem components of the Pechora sea have been characterized. We have discussed the set of measures developed for reducing environmental risks: organizing a three-tier automated system for oil spill response in any situation, including emergency; using the “zero discharge” approach, in which all human and industrial waste is collected in special closed containers transported to the shore for disposal; vessels of the auxiliary fleet are equipped with the appropriate equipment enabling them to be directly eliminate emergency oil spills; annual oil spill response (OSR) exercises are held; since the terminal is located in a permafrost region, the oil storage tanks were built with double walls (the tank-in-tank principle), which virtually eliminates the risks of oil spills. We have formulated recommendations for maintaining sustainable environmental status of the continental shelf of the Pechora Sea.</jats:p