present in the Russian Arctic region for centuries.With the development of transport and other infrastructure resources was a gradual development of the Arctic.USSR concentrated its efforts primarily on the implementation of local projects for the development of the individual fields.Now the Russian authorities are taking active efforts to significantly increase the dynamics of the utilization of resources in the region.
There is a reason.Among those who say experts - some improvement in climatic conditions (when it became available more territories), the global processes in the world economy, which require the integration of additional transport routes, among which may be the northern highway.Problems of the Arctic quite diverse - it's ecology, and politics, and socio-economic aspects.But the prospects of work in this direction, according to experts, is very significant.
Mastering
history of Arctic exploration is particularly exciting.The first information about the region in the Russian sources date back to the 10th century.Especially actively going development of territories, which are now referred to the Northern Sea Route.In the 16th century Pomors managed to reach the mouth of the Ob River, and then - to the Yenisei, the Lena.There is, meanwhile, the information that the development of the Arctic person actually goes back to ancient times, since the Stone Age.In the 16-17 centuries the Russian sailors were able to discover the major part of the coastline of the Arctic, opening the way to the Pacific Ocean.
In the mid-18th century on the coast of the Arctic explorers worked the Great Northern Expedition led by Vitus Bering.Scientists were able to make valuable hydrographic and cartographic material.In the early 19th century, Russian explorers continued to actively explore the Arctic.Some also participated in expeditions and foreign researchers.For example, in 1873 the archipelago, named Franz Josef Land, opened the sailors of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.In 1878-1879 the Northern Sea Route from the beginning to the end of the past, researchers from the joint Swedish-Russian naval expedition on the ship "Vega".In 1899, it was built by the legendary icebreaker "Ermak", which allowed to establish a link between the different regions of northern Russia.Development of the Arctic went step by step, and in the 20th century.Despite the difficult times after the October Revolution, in the 1920s, we created several structures whose task was to further explore the region.In the years 1923-1933 in the areas adjacent to the Arctic Ocean, the Russian and then Soviet researchers built 19 weather stations.Actively explore the Russian North and in the 30s.
With the start of World War II temporarily stopped the study of the Arctic, but the region's infrastructure, established in previous years, has made a significant contribution to the victory.In the years after the war, the Northern Sea Route were again visited the Soviet researchers.In the regions adjacent to the Arctic, we have been mastered oil, gas, gold, diamonds.To develop the infrastructure of cities, construction of new settlements, there were large industrial facilities.The history of Arctic exploration during the Soviet period was characterized by the implementation of such large-scale and fundamentally important projects that modern Russia still uses and infrastructure, and scientific heritage of the time.However, before our country faces new challenges in the development of the region.
World significance
interest in the Arctic is experiencing not only Russia.The main reason that this part of the world attracts the attention of virtually all the surrounding continents - immense natural wealth.At least four countries, except Russia, claim the development of the Arctic - the US, Canada, Norway and Denmark.Each of the countries one way or another has a marine gateway to the macro-region.
Resources of the Russian Arctic
considerable space mainland Arctic belong to Russia.There is a unique oil and gas fields, and the first stage in their development, our country is already beginning to implement.This can be seen, in particular, the example of the pace of the construction of decent housing in areas that are adjacent to the Arctic shelf - that future researchers macro and labor groups have been able to live near prospective sites.Only in one of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District is now built hundreds of thousands of square meters of residential areas.And improved transportation infrastructure.
Immediate objectives What are the next steps in the framework of which the development of the Arctic will be Russian?Most active researchers and entrepreneurs from the country is expected towards the development of the Bovanenkovo oil and gas field located in the Yamalo-Nenets region.According to some experts, it largely will determine the prospects for economic development in this part of Russia.
planned that development of the Arctic until 2020 the federal government of Russia will spend about 630 billion rubles.50 billion is expected to attract as from regional budgets.These figures provide a state program of development of the Arctic, however, the amount can be revised.The objective of the relevant program - the comprehensive development of the entire Arctic region.
geographically to the Russian Arctic coast and decided to rank offshore zones such subjects as Murmansk, Arkhangelsk region, Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District, the Krasnoyarsk Territory, Yakutia, Chukotka Autonomous District.The resource potential of the region, according to the authorities, is huge.But its practical implementation requires significant efforts related to the solution of environmental issues, foreign policy.The development of transport, energy, infrastructure, tourism, promising directions, such as, for example, the development of the Arctic shelf - a very resource-intensive activities.
Natural Resources Yamal
Already Yamal region - one of the key for the Russian gas industry.At current fields produced more than 80% of our gas.The total reserves of natural gas on the Yamal Peninsula - trillions of cubic meters.There are also oil - its reserves are estimated at 200 million tons.Public and private entities actively planned infrastructure development, capable of providing the transit of gas from Yamal.
Gas Infrastructure
Among the priorities in the construction of infrastructure in Yamal - production of liquefied natural gas.First of all, this plant near the settlement Sabetta, which builds "Novatek".The expected capacity of the enterprise - about 15 million tons.Next to the construction of the plant is supposed to airport, a major seaport.As expected, the main field on the basis of which the company will operate - South Tambeyskoye, which is considered the largest in Yamal.Its reserves - 1.3 trillion cubic meters of gas.There are indications that this project will be largely focused on foreign markets.The planned date of commissioning of the plant - in 2016.
Northern latitudinal
Development of Arctic Russia, of course, is not limited to the activities in the gas industry.Among the notable trends - building long-term sea route - the Northern latitudinal way.The structure of this maritime highway is supposed to enter such ports as Salekhard, Nadym, Novy Urengoi.The program of construction of this sea route is associated with the need for communication between different parts of the Arctic macro.
Railway Infrastructure Development of the Arctic is accompanied by the construction of new railway networks in the region.This is especially important, in particular for the development of oil and gas condensate fields, as well as in terms of socio-economic development of the Yamal-Nenets region.Construction is expected Union Station Ob 2, laying roads that connect Salekhard with portions of the Northern Railway.It is planned the construction of a bridge over the Ob.These objects are expected to be operational in 2015.
oil infrastructure
oil transportation from the Yamal fields and other macro-region requires the development of appropriate infrastructure.Among the priority projects - the oil pipeline "Pur-Pe" - "Samotlor".The uniqueness of it - in the geographical position.He - the most northerly of the main oil pipelines of the Russian Federation.The purpose of its construction - increase the volume of transported oil from the Arctic and Siberia to the European part of Russia with the prospects of exports.
electricity infrastructure
Development of the Arctic requires the introduction of electricity infrastructure facilities.Among the key - power station "Polar".Its construction was completed in 2011.Installed capacity of the plant - 268 MW."Polar" is largely due to the establishment of an uninterrupted supply of electricity production, concentrated in the Yamal Peninsula, as well as residents of cities in the region, allows us to replace obsolete boilers that are used in populated areas.This assumes the subsequent reduction of tariffs for electricity and heat for residents of Yamal.
Gas Processing
assumed that the extraction and transportation of raw materials on the Yamal Peninsula should be complemented by also processing industries.Particularly adapted to the use of so called associated gas.The fact that this type of material can be the basis for recovery of light hydrocarbons.They, in turn, can use the chemical industry for the production of rubber, detergents and so on. D. Among the key industrial infrastructure in the Arctic region - gas processing complex in Noyabrsk and similar enterprises in the city of Gubkin.
Wind power
Developed by the Russian authorities and corporate strategy also includes the development of the Arctic and the development of alternative methods of power generation.In this direction is the work for the construction of wind power plants.According to one of the current projects the region has optimal climatic resources for the successful practical implementation of projects related to the development of alternative energy sources.This wind power plant to be built, do not require any development of innovative technological solutions - everything you need is already on the market.Implement relevant developments possible - the economic feasibility of their implementation proved.The Government of the Yamalo-Nenets AO stated its willingness to be an investor in projects that direction.
Tourism Development of the Russian Arctic is expected not only in terms of industrial development, but also in a different way - by tourists.Now the number of enthusiasts who decided to visit the Yamal within walking, not so much.However, the development potential of the relevant industry in the region is significant.This is expressed in a variety of aspects.Firstly, on the Yamal Peninsula beautiful nature.Secondly, indigenous people live here in Russia, whose culture, way of life and hospitality of the region give a special flavor.Third, the Yamal - a great place for outdoor enthusiasts.
reiterated that its interest in the development of the tourism industry announced Government of Yamal.The plans of the authorities - to promote the development of the infrastructure necessary for travelers as well as support for entrepreneurs engaged in attracting tourists to the region.Some experts believe that the Yamal, as well as other regions of the Arctic, is promising in terms of development of cruise travel.
environmental aspect
What are the main problems, without which the successful development of the Russian Arctic may be difficult?At the beginning of this article we noted that among the areas that require attention - ecology.Among the areas of work that need to be implemented in the near future, - cleaning the Arctic regions where environmental risks are most visible.
factor in oil prices
In one version of the world economy is entering a phase of predominance of relatively low oil prices.Could this fact be a negative factor in terms of development in the Arctic?Many experts believe that the cost of oil and gas production in the region is such that even if the current is not very high world prices for oil corresponding to the type of economic activity remain profitable.
