NOAA publishes its annual report tracking recent Arctic environmental changes.What’s new in 2012?New records set for snow extent, sea ice extent and ice sheet surface melting , despite air temperatures - a key cause of melting - being unremarkable relative to the last decade…
ExxonMobil & Rosneft sign 'Declaration on Protection of the Environment & Biodiversity for Oil and Gas Exploration & Development on Russian Arctic Continental Shelf'.The declaration was signed during a meeting between Igor Sechin, president and chairman of the management board of Rosneft…
Gazprom successfully completes world’s first LNG supply via Northern Sea Route in the 'Ob River' carrier.The carrier left the Port of Hammerfest (Norway) to arrive at the regasification terminal in the Port of Tobata (Japan) delivering a Gazprom Group-owned LNG cargo to Japanese consumers…
DNV with key industry players develop an enhanced design framework for structures deployed in open water & harsh areas. In order to ensure a common, transparent and documented approach to achieving acceptable safety levels for offshore structures in cold-climate regions…
IMO Secretary-General Koji Sekimizu to discuss (during his visit to Chile) the Polar Code being developed by IMO .In Punta Arenas at a special conference on Search and Rescue in the Antarctic region, and the Polar Code the Secretary-General…
Metso DNA provide high-technology automatic control system to two new multi-functional icebreaking supply vessels.Arctech Helsinki Shipyard has been a successful builder of multifunctional icebreaking supply vessels built to operate in harsh conditions in Russia…
University of Stavanger (UiS) is active in teaching, research and finding solutions for developing fields in areas with Arctic conditions. The northward shift of Norway’s oil industry means it must adjust to temperatures down to -30°C, storms…
46 vessels have transited through Northern Sea Route as this year's navigation season comes to an end.Never before have so many vessels used the Northern Sea Route for cargo transport between Europe and Asia. and never before has so much cargo been transported along the route…
The Fednav Group presented with the IBJ award as Bulk Ship Operator of the Year in Hamburg, Germany.This award highlights Fednav's contribution to maritime trade, as well as its leadership in the implementation of higher industry operating standards including efficiency…
‘Great Melt’ in the Arctic calls for increased co-operation between Canada and United States, policy brief argues. The “great melt,” an unprecedented geophysical change, in the Arctic is cause for heightened leadership, attention and cooperation between Canada and the United States…
Douglas-Westwood forecast that between 2013 and 2017, $91bn will be spent on floating production systems (FPS) – an increase of 100% over the preceding five-year period. A total of 121 floating production units are forecast to be installed – a 37% increase…
The US Arctic Research Council (ARC) in association with others, reports on research & mitigation measures for oil spills in the Arctic marine area.This “white paper” is a compilation of research on oil spills in ice-covered Arctic waters and recommendations for future work…
Russia's Baltic Shipyard starts construction of the first LK-60 nuclear-powered icebreaker.The LK-60 will be the largest and most powerful icebreaker ever built, making commercial traffic along the Northern Sea Route possible all year around…
Work on the 'Endeavour' rig by local contractors in Homer nears completion prior to deployment for shallow water drilling off Alsaska coast.Before its acquisition in November 15, 2011, the Endeavour had been idle for several years, and Buccaneer and its venture partners…
Working in the Barents Sea must be as safe as elsewhere Norway's Petroleum Safety Agency (PSA) makes clear.The petroleum sector faces special challenges as it moves northwards, and the question is whether emergency preparedness, knowledge and technology are sufficient to meet them…